What do you do when they name a point of land after you in Antarctica? You go back. That's what Bill J. Baker, Ph.D., is doing October 23, although this time he won't be seeing the three-mile stretch called, in his honor, Baker Point. Baker, 42, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of South Florida, will visit Palmer Station for a two-month mission.

"This is a great opportunity to continue to learn about a new ecosystem, one that is different from all my prior diving experiences," he said, noting that the expedition will expose the team to new species of marine organisms.

A Salinas, California, native, Baker's been interested in science since he was a kid hunting and hiking in the backcountry of Central California. His research has included chemical and biological studies of the Antarctic sponges. He also serves in various capacities with professional organizations, including the American Chemical Society, American Society of Pharmacognosy, International Society of Chemical Ecologists, Sigma Xi, National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.

At USF he teaches a number of courses, including natural products chemistry, organic chemistry and advance laboratory techniques. He also instructs high school teachers through programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aquanaut Program.

When he's not traveling to the coldest place in the world, Baker spends time with his wife, Jill, stays in shape by running, and goes camping with his 9-year-old son, Jeremy.