The Simons Foundation’s Mathematics and Physical Sciences division named Matt Baker a 2017 Simons Fellow. The Simons Fellows in Mathematics program provides research leaves that allow recipients to take time away from the classroom and academic administrations, promoting intellectual stimulation and heightening creativity and productivity in their research. The recipients of this high profile award appeared in the "Science Times" section of the New York Times this past March.
Baker's research will cover Tropical Geometry, Combinatorics, and Dynamics. Baker was also an invited speaker at the Joint Mathematics Meeting in early January. He was also featured in the Get to know the School of Math Prof last year.