Seattle U Alumnus and Company Co-Founders Among Forbes “30 Under 30”

Elias Baker, ’16, along with the co-founders of their company Nanodropper, were among those named to Forbes “30 Under 30” 2021 list.

Baker, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Seattle University’s College of Science and Engineering, is chief operating officer of the Rochester, Minn.-based company, which developed an FDA-listed adaptor for eyedrop bottles that makes drops smaller. Smaller drops reduce the waste and cost of eyedrop treatments, according to the company. 

“Already as a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering student, Elias demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit and innate ability to apply his mechanical engineering skills into innovative solutions,” says Teodora Shuman, PhD, chair of the program. “Even then, he joined forces with other students and entered business competitions, including one where their business was characterized as a ‘brilliant, sustainable innovation that will have a tremendous impact on the world.’ We look forward to hearing about his future success.”

 As a mechanical engineer specializing in design and prototyping, Baker’s broad background includes projects with SpaceX, Spacelabs Healthcare, Kestra Medical Technologies and McKinstry. His passion is within the biomedical industry, making advances in biomechanics, according to this profile.

“It is so exciting to see the positive impact our alumni are making through health innovation,” says Amelia Marckworth, interim director of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center at the Albers School of Business and Economics. “I’ve watched Nanodropper grow from a student project to an investable business and have been so impressed by Elias and his team.”