Lasting Memories

Emma Bakes, PhD
March 3, 1968-Feb. 28, 2011
Menlo Park, California
Submitted by Elliott Wolfe, MD, FACP

Dr. Emma L.O. Bakes, PhD, MD candidate, died before sunrise on Feb. 28, 2011, at the age of 42. Her determined courageous attempt to defeat adenocarcinoma of breast has ended.

Dr. Bakes, born in the United Kingdom, was an astrophysicist, her doctorate degree awarded at Princeton University. From the last article she wrote for NASA-SETI, November 2010, to celebrate Carl Sagan's Legacy, "The Shore of the Cosmic Ocean: A Confluence of Humanity and Science":

"Dr. Bakes, a SETI [Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence] Institute Principal Investigator, studies the chemistry and thermodynamics of star-forming regions and the organic chemistry of Titan, Saturn's largest satellite and the early Earth. She is currently working on a book that explores the connection between the garments we wear and the laws of physics, entitled "Black Holes, High Heels and a Bullet Proof Vest." Dr. Bakes was inspired to pursue degrees in physics and astrophysics by Carl Sagan's TV series, 'Cosmos.'"

Dr. Bakes decided to "return" to planet Earth to practice medicine for a myriad of reasons:

"... Carl's world was always a breathless exploration of extraordinary potential, limitless possibilities and the passionate pursuit of scientific inquiry. Little did I know that by merely watching a few minutes of his Cosmos series, I was dipping my toes into an ocean of knowledge that would pull me away from everything familiar and allow me to become a human being and scientific explorer fulfilled beyond my wildest dreams. I have worked as an astrophysicist for NASA and SETI, I am a trainee medical doctor at Stanford and I am a mother to a precocious 3-year-old boy that doctors claimed I could never conceive. ... His legacy remains an appreciation of our humanity, our scientific curiosity concerning life on other worlds and our limitless potential to make our own world a better place."

Emma's partner: "... Please take a moment to honor and remember her by reading the essay, which reflects her life and her legacy":

"The Shore of the Cosmic Ocean: A Confluence of Humanity and Science." Link: http://kepler.nasa.gov/education/sagan/EmmaBakesEssay/

Emma is survived by her partner, Donald Robert Mendoza, her young son, Titan Dinsdale Mendoza, and her stepson, Travis Reed Mendoza.

It would be a fitting tribute to her if NASA names a newly-discovered planet after Dr. Emma L.O. Bakes for all the contributions she has made to further our understanding of life's origins, future, and humanity.

To an Athlete Dying Young (A.E. Housman)

The time you won your town the race We chaired you through the market-place; Man and boy stood cheering by, And home we brought you shoulder-high.

To-day, the road all runners come, Shoulder-high we bring you home, And set you at your threshold down, Townsman of a stiller town.

Emma and I met when she was a student at Stanford University School of Medicine: I was one of her mentors teaching her the practice of medicine. In recent months I remained at her side, hoping for a victory.

In a recent note Emma's partner wrote:

"... She was an exceptional person that accomplished a great deal and touched many people in an unfortunately short time. Her accomplishments span oceans and included the physical sciences, medicine, fashion, martial arts, and parenthood to name just a few...."