top of page

ABOUT ME

I was born in Groningen, the Netherlands. My Bachelor's (Biochemistry) and Master's (Behaviour Genetics, Population Genetics and Theoretical Biology) studies were attended at the University of Groningen. Then I went to the University of Leiden, the Netherlands,  for my PhD-study (Behaviour Genetics) and some post-doc years. At the University of Bern, Switzerland, I became an Assistant and later Associate Professor of Behavioral Ecology. Finally, I moved to the University of Bonn, Germany, where I had been a University Professor in Evolutionary Ecology till my retirement in 2017.

​

For a detailed description of my research read the Editorial by Timo Thünken, Ingolf Rick and Joachim Frommen in my Festschrift published September 2018 in Evolutionary Ecology Research.

Bild1.jpg

ABOUT ME

I was born in Groningen, the Netherlands. My Bachelor's (Biochemistry) and Master's (Behaviour Genetics, Population Genetics and Theoretical Biology) studies were attended at the University of Groningen. Then I went to the University of Leiden, the Netherlands,  for my PhD-study (Behaviour Genetics) and some post-doc years. At the University of Bern, Switzerland, I became an Assistant and later Associate Professor of Behavioral Ecology. Finally, I moved to the University of Bonn, Germany, where I had been a University Professor in Evolutionary Ecology till my retirement in 2017. Since 2011, I am a Co-Editor-in-Chief of Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology (together with James FA Traniello).

​

For a detailed description of my research read the Editorial by Timo Thünken, Ingolf Rick and Joachim Frommen in my Festschrift published September 2018 in Evolutionary Ecology Research.

courting male stickleback in full nuptial coloration

ACADEMIC CAREER

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests concern evolutionary processes in ecosystems: - on the one hand, I am interested in the selective forces that drive the evolution of life-history, behavioural, and morphological traits in animal populations, in particular host-parasite, predator-prey, and social interactions, and influences of abiotic factors. - on the other hand, I am interested in the underlying population genetic processes, such as the extent, change and maintenance of genetic variation and covariation of these traits.

positions

  • 2017 retired Professor (Ecology), University of Bonn

  • 1999 Professor (Animal Ecology), University of Bonn

  • 1995 Associate Professor (Behavioural Ecology), University of Bern
  • 1988 Assistant Professor (Behavioural Ecology), University of Bern

  • 1985 Assistant Professor (Ethology), University of Leiden

  • 1978 Research Assistant (Ethology), University of Leiden

Specifically, the main topic of my research is the evolutionary ecology of natural and sexual selection in three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus, Gasterosteidae) and the cichlid Pelvicachromis taeniatus (Cichlidae).

degrees

  • 1993 Habilitation, University of Bern

  • 1986 PhD, University of Leiden

  • 1978 MSc, University of Groningen

  • 1973 BSc, University of Groningen

2007 Theo Bakker at his office (photo by Stephanie Winter)
2017 Theo Bakker farewell address at the University of Bonn (photo by Petra Bakker-Pijn)
2018 Theo Bakker in academic gown of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Bonn
bottom of page