Early Curiosity and a Passion for Questions

Born in Buffalo, New York, and raised by a single mother, Raven channeled her boundless energy—amplified by an early ADHD diagnosis—into exploring the world around her. Whether she was digging in the dirt to study worms or naming cloud shapes and predicting weather patterns, Raven saw science everywhere. In between conducting her own experiments by mixing household products together to see what would happen and explaining to people that she was, in fact, not named after the Disney Channel character, Raven was involved in as many STEM-focused extracurricular activities as possible, including Space Camp at NASA.

Despite rarely seeing scientists who looked like her in textbooks or on TV, Raven connected deeply with their sense of wonder. She saw herself not in their appearance, but in their questions, and she knew she wanted to find answers too.

Academic Excellence Meets Identity Challenges

While earning her biology degree at Buffalo State University, Raven took a genetics class to fulfill a major requirement and fell in love with molecular biology. But navigating higher education and a professional career wasn’t always easy. As a Black woman with a bold personality and a refusal to conform to narrow definitions of “professionalism,” Raven explained to The Research Comms Podcast that she often felt out of place. Yet, rather than shrink herself, she chose to stand tall. She realized that her purpose wasn’t just to thrive in science, but to help reshape its culture.

After completing a master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Raven worked as a drug discovery scientist in biotech. Her lab, located across the street from a homeless shelter, became a daily reminder of the disconnect between high-level science and everyday communities. That realization ignited a new mission: to make science accessible to all. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University at Buffalo in 2021.

Bridging Science and Culture Through Communication

In 2017, Raven launched her alter ego, Dr. Raven the Science Maven, on social media. Using her background in molecular biology and her love of music, she created engaging science education videos that were equal parts informative and entertaining. Her viral science-themed rap parodies—like “Big Ole Geeks,” based on Megan Thee Stallion’s “Big Ole Freak,” and “The Antibody Song,” a parody of “Body”—tackled complex topics and countered COVID-19 misinformation with humor and accuracy.

Raven didn’t stop at videos. She founded The Science Haven, a nonprofit focused on making science approachable and inclusive for people of all backgrounds. As Executive Director, she continues to lead efforts that challenge elitism in STEM and invite more people into the scientific conversation.

Recognition and Ongoing Impact

Dr. Baxter’s work has earned her international recognition. She has been featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science, Fortune’s 40 Under 40 in Health, and EBONY’s Power 100 list. Her expertise has led to collaborations with industry giants like 3M and Netflix, where she helps bring scientific stories to life and build authentic, science-driven brand narratives.

Today, Raven is not only a published author and dynamic public speaker, but also the Director of Science Communication at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Across platforms, stages, and classrooms, she continues to inspire and educate, showing the world that science is not just for a select few—it’s for everyone.

For young people dreaming of a future in STEM, Dr. Baxter shared this advice to the MUSE Mentorship Program: “Work hard, ask for support when you need it, and never give up your voice.”