About

Shaun Baker is an advanced instructor in the Department of English at Virginia Tech. He is working on a book project that examines the progression of the publication of Marvel comics and their narrative ties to 20th-century American history. This work aims to help superhero fans better understand history and assist history buffs in understanding a genre often considered 'kids’ stuff.' His research focuses on the intersection of comic book publication history and American cultural and historical narratives, contributing to the understanding of genre and media in relation to historical context.

Research topics

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science
• Human–computer interaction
• Evolutionary biology
• Genetics
• Archaeology
• Radiology
• Applied psychology
• Physics
• Pediatrics
• Engineering
• Business
• Medicine
• Marketing
• Biology
• Demography
• Geography

Selected publications

• Educator Attitudes Toward Supports and Their Perceptions of Intensity: Investigating the Connection

  2025-01-01

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• The impact of freezing temperatures on soft tissue and microbial decomposition using human and porcine remains: a pilot study

  Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology · 2025-11-07 · 1 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Modern Solutions to Safe and Efficient Work Zone Travel

  National Academies Press eBooks · 2025-04-16

  book
  PublisherDOI

• Innovative Approaches to Enhancing Safety and Efficiency in Work Zones

  National Academies Press eBooks · 2024-12-09

  book
  PublisherDOI

• The role of networks to overcome large-scale challenges in tomography: The non-clinical tomography users research network

  Tomography of Materials and Structures · 2024-04-04 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Our ability to visualize and quantify the internal structures of objects via computed tomography (CT) has fundamentally transformed science. As tomographic tools have become more broadly accessible, researchers across diverse disciplines have embraced the ability to investigate the 3D structure-function relationships of an enormous array of items. Whether studying organismal biology, animal models for human health, iterative manufacturing techniques, experimental medical devices, engineering structures, geological and planetary samples, prehistoric artifacts, or fossilized organisms, computed tomography has led to extensive methodological and basic sciences advances and is now a core element in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research and outreach toolkits. Tomorrow's scientific progress is built upon today's innovations. In our data-rich world, this requires access not only to publications but also to supporting data. Reliance on proprietary technologies, combined with the varied objectives of diverse research groups, has resulted in a fragmented tomography-imaging landscape, one that is functional at the individual lab level yet lacks the standardization needed to support efficient and equitable exchange and reuse of data. Developing standards and pipelines for the creation of new and future data, which can also be applied to existing datasets is a challenge that becomes increasingly difficult as the amount and diversity of legacy data grows. Global networks of CT users have proved an effective approach to addressing this kind of multifaceted challenge across a range of fields. Here we describe ongoing efforts to address barriers to recently proposed FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reuse) and open science principles by assembling interested parties from research and education communities, industry, publishers, and data repositories to approach these issues jointly in a focused, efficient, and practical way. By outlining the benefits of networks, generally, and drawing on examples from efforts by the Non-Clinical Tomography Users Research Network (NoCTURN), specifically, we illustrate how standardization of data and metadata for reuse can foster interdisciplinary collaborations and create new opportunities for future-looking, large-scale data initiatives.

  PublisherDOI

• Preparing Transportation Agencies for Connected and Automated Vehicles in Work Zones

  Transportation Research Board eBooks · 2023-07-19

  book
  PublisherDOI

• Analysis of humeral septal apertures in forensic and archaeological samples

  Forensic Science International Reports · 2022 · 5 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Demography
  • Biology
  • Archaeology

  Septal apertures (SA) are defects in the bony septum that separates the olecranon and coronoid fossae. Previous research suggests the presence of SA are highly variable between populations and generally occur at higher frequencies in females and on left humeri. Here, we analyze specimens from two modern willed body forensic collections (n = 617) and three archaeological assemblages (n = 103). Where feasible, we test for differences between sexes, sides, aperture sizes, and age distributions within self-identified racial categories and in the complete assemblage. We also present a novel assessment of SA and handedness. In brief, significant sex-based differences were found in one archaeological sample, the combined forensic sample, and the white racial category. Significant side-based differences favoring the left were found in the combined forensic and male specific sample. Significant differences in SA sizes were identified when bilaterally expressed in the forensic mixed sex sample. A test for aperture presence and hand dominance found significant differences with the majority (71%) of unilateral apertures found on the non-dominant side. Aperture presence was strongly correlated (r > 0.97) with sample size and uncorrelated with age cohorts. While high (> 40%) population-based frequencies were found in the archaeological samples similar to previous studies, a high frequency (17.8%) was also found in the white racial category exceeding most values reported for populations of European ancestry. This study contributes to the understanding of SA by providing a novel analysis of their association with handedness and provides new data on their prevalence in both archaeological and modern forensic assemblages.

  PublisherDOI

• Fostering Continuity of Care for Massachusetts Long-Term Care Residents on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder

  Innovation in Aging · 2020-12-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract In 2016, the CDC estimated that 2.1 million Americans had Opioid Use Disorder (OUD); about 1.8 million related to prescribed painkillers. Older adults are especially susceptible; SAMHSA estimates that 2.7 million older adults will misuse prescription drugs by 2020. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) issued a 2016 Circular Letter advising long-term care facility (LTCF) administrators that, if otherwise eligible for admission, facilities are expected to admit individuals diagnosed with OUD, and provide medication for OUD (MOUD) as prescribed. Yet, many facilities express concern for admitting residents with OUD. The MDPH and their partners are conducting a multi-faceted training/technical support (TS) program to foster best practices across the continuum of care, targeting LTCF. The 15-month program consists of in-person learning sessions, a comprehensive toolkit, on-site TS, weekly contact, and a peer-to-peer webinar. Pre-training data indicated that 24 of 42 recruited LTCFs had not admitted residents with OUD. Although licensed LTCF practitioners can obtain a waiver to prescribe certain MOUD, only 4 of the 28 LTCF medical directors interviewed had done so. Subject matter experts led topic-specific discussions in the first learning session to educate on OUD/MOUD, dispel myths, make community connections, and provide resources. Almost all participants agreed that the session met the objectives of understanding OUD as a chronic disease, recognizing the stigma of OUD, gaining knowledge of MOUD treatments, and obtaining strategies to enhance best practices across the continuum of care. All items on the pre/post-session assessments indicated a significant increase in understanding (37% versus 60%, respectively).

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Consumer Driving Automation System Education: A Learning and Retention Assessment

  VTechWorks (Virginia Tech) · 2020-01-01

  articleOpen access

  For the potential safety benefits of driving automation systems to be fully realized, drivers must understand the capabilities and limitations of these systems. This study explored a range of materials that drivers may access when trying to learn about driving automation system safety features: owner’s manual only, owner’s manual and OEM website video or animation, and owner’s manual and MyCarDoesWhat.org videos. Three vehicles, a 2015 Infiniti Q50, a 2016 Honda CR-V, and a 2015 Chevy Tahoe, were selected to represent a range of vehicle types, sizes, technologies, and price points. Each training condition was tested with each vehicle for a total of nine possible testing scenarios. Thirty-six participants were recruited for the study, with an equal number of males and females from two age groups, 25–39 and 40–54 years old. Participants were balanced across the nine possible testing scenarios. A two-part study was conducted to assess participants’ ability to learn from existing training materials and to determine how well participants were able to retain what they learned. When taking into consideration participants’ self-reported learning styles, average scores across all technologies were fairly comparable across style, and participants were able gain at least a rudimentary understanding of the operation and purposes of driving automation system technologies. However, participants were less sure of the specifics associated with the technologies (i.e., activation, alerts or warnings, and appropriate use). Those in the multimedia testing conditions reported feeling more familiar with the technologies than those in the owner’s manual only condition. Participants found the videos to be an entertaining and easier-to-understand alternative to the manual. Several indicated that they would refer to the video first to see how the technology worked and then refer to the manual to gain a more in-depth understanding. Videos with sound and additional details were preferred to the simpler animations.

  Publisher

• Examining Senior Drivers’ Attitudes Toward Advanced Driver Assistance Systems After Naturalistic Exposure

  Innovation in Aging · 2020 · 29 citations

  • Computer Science
  • Applied psychology
  • Artificial Intelligence

  BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The increasing number of senior drivers may introduce new road risks due to age-related declines in physical and cognitive abilities. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have been proposed as solutions to minimize age-related declines, thereby increasing both senior safety and mobility. This study examined factors that influence seniors' attitudes toward adopting ADAS after significant exposure to the technology in naturalistic settings. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study recruited 18 senior drivers aged 70-79 to drive vehicles equipped with ADAS for 6 weeks in their own environments. Afterward, each participant was enrolled in 1 of the 3 focus group sessions to discuss their changes in attitude toward ADAS based on their driving experiences. We applied structural topic modeling (STM) on the focus group transcripts to reveal key topics deemed important to seniors. RESULTS: STM revealed 5 topics of importance for seniors. In order of prevalence, these were (i) safety, (ii) confidence concerning ADAS, (iii) ADAS functionality, (iv) user interface/usability, and (v) non-ADAS-related features. Based on topics and associated keywords, seniors perceived safety improvement with ADAS but expressed concerns about its limitations in coping with adverse driving conditions. Experience and training were suggested for improving seniors' confidence in ADAS. Blind spot alert and adaptive cruise control received the most discussion regarding perceived safety and comfort. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This study indicated that promoting road safety for senior drivers through ADAS is feasible. Acceptance and appropriate use of ADAS may be supported through intuitive and senior-friendly user interfaces, in-depth training programs, and owner's manuals specifically designed and tested for senior drivers.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Darrell Bowman

  15 shared

• William A. Schaudt

  Virginia Tech

  15 shared

• Tammy E. Trimble

  14 shared

• Laura‐Ann Petitto

  Georgetown University

  11 shared

• Richard J. Hanowski

  Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

  9 shared

• Kyle A. Weant

  University of Kentucky HealthCare

  6 shared

• Chris Flanigan

  6 shared

• Ioulia Kovelman

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  6 shared

Education

• PhD, Anthropology

  Texas State University

  2027

• Applied AI Workshop - NSF Award No. 2334268

  Center for Analytics and Data Science, Texas State University

  2024

• AI/Machine Learning Education Series

  Center for Analytics & Data Science, Texas State University

  2024

• MS, Biology

  Sam Houston State University

  2022

• BS, Biology

  Sam Houston State University

  2019