Kevin Bakker
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
The Center for the Study of Complex Systems
University of Michigan
2041 Kraus Nat. Sci. Bldg.
830 North University
Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
www.kevinmbakker.com
[email protected]
Education
Ph.D. (in progress)
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
August 2012-present (Expected Graduation Fall 2016)
Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Certificate Program: Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery & Engineering
Advisors: Mercedes Pascual, Ph.D. & Marisa Eisenberg, Ph.D.
Master of Science
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
August 2012-Decmber 2014
Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Advisor: Pejman Rohani Ph.D.
Bachelor of Science
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
May 2005 - May 2006
Major: Zoology
Concentration: Marine Biology
Specialization: Marine Ecosystems Management
Bachelor of Science
Michigan State University
August 2000 - December 2004
Major: Human Biology
East Lansing, MI 48824
Grants and Awards
2015
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
2013
University of Michigan Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Block Grant
University of Michigan Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Travel Grant (fall)
University of Michigan Rackham Travel Grant (fall)
University of Michigan Ecology and Evolutionary Biology First Paper Award
University of Michigan Ecology and Evolutionary Best Graduate Student paper
University of Michigan Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Travel Grant (spring)
University of Michigan Rackham Travel Grant (spring)
University of Michigan Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Block Grant
University of Michigan Rackham Pre-Candidate Research Grant
University of Michigan Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Travel Grant
University of Michigan Rackham Travel Grant
$2143
$250
$700
$30
$500
$250
$700
$2390
$1500
$250
$700
Teaching Experience
2013 University of Michigan, EEB 315 - Ecology and Evolution of Infectious diseases – 43
students in 2 discussion sections
2012 University of Michigan, BIO 171 - Introduction to Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - 58
students, in 3 discussion sections
2008 University of Georgia, MARS 1010L – The Marine Environment - 55 students in 3 lab
sections
Research Experience
2010-present University of Michigan, Disease modeling techniques and methods, including
POMP (Partially observed Markov Process) package in R for model fitting with extensive
coding experience with R, C++, Matlab, Python, Beamer, and Latex
2007-2010
University of Georgia, Set up and ran CARD-MAR-FISH and DNA sequencing
labs, 650+ hours on Fluorescent microscope, trained in PCR, qPCR, DNA extraction, and
other microbial and molecular lab techniques
2008-2009
Antarctic research cruise aboard the Swedish icebreaker Oden, Collected ice,
brine, and under-ice seawater for ice associated bacterial community structure, DNA and
CARD-MAR-FISH collection/analysis, Assisted in collection and processing of coulometer
samples
2008
Uppsala University, Sweden, Learned MAR-FISH technique to identify bacterial
activity and community structure, collaborated with Laura Alonso-Sáez (co-author of one
PNAS paper & another in prep)
2008
Interdisciplinary sea ice research course (MSL 695) in Barrow, Alaska, Intensive
course on data analysis and collection involving fieldwork, volunteered for an additional
week to collect genetic samples of Ringed Seals
2007-2008
Antarctic research cruise aboard the Swedish Icebreaker Oden, Research focus
on the Southern Oceans bacterial community structure, collected organic matter through for
DOM/POM analysis, DNA samples filtered for later extraction and 454 sequencing,
respiration bottles filled for CO2 analysis, MAR-CARD-FISH samples produced from
separate filtration process
2006
Bahamas summer study, Marine fish, coral, and invertebrate
identification/physiology, studied the behavior, reproduction, competition and feeding of
marine organisms, sea urchin research project on the inverse relationship between test size
and population density
2005
Ecology Lab- Kellogg Biological Station, Research orientated course revolving
around planning and implementing field experiments and conducting data analyses
2004-2005
Antarctic research cruise aboard the Russian Icebreaker M/S Orlova, Southern
Ocean circulation, chemistry, food webs, and organism interactions, research project on
human interactions and their impact on the environment
2003
Belize summer study, Tropical and marine ecology, research project outlining
human impact on the coastal ecosystem
Publications (*co-first author)
Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=oQH2tYIAAAAJ&hl=en
(100+ citations)
Martinez-Bakker, M.*, Bakker, K.M.,*, King, A.A., and P. Rohani. Human birth seasonality:
latitudinal gradient and interplay with childhood disease dynamics. Proceedings of the Royal Society
B: Biological Sciences, 281(1783), 20132438, 2014.
**Press - Interviews with Fox News, Slate Magazine, LiveScience, Vice, and University
of Michigan News. Articles appeared in 25+ news outlets. Discovery News video coverage at
(http://tinyurl.com/birth-seas)
Bakker, K. The Chukchi Sea. Biomes and Ecosystems: An Encyclopedia. 2013.
Alonso-Sáez, L, Waller, A, Mende, D, Bakker, K., Farnelid, H., Yager, PL., Lovejoy, C., Tremblay,
JE., Potvin, M., Heinrich, F., Estrada, M., Riemann, L., Bork, P., Pedros-Alio, C., S Bertilsson. Role
for urea in nitrification by polar marine Archaea. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. Oct 30;109(44):17989-94.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.1201914109.
Ghiglione, JF, PE Galand, T Pommier, C Pedrós-Alio, EW Maas, K Bakker, S Bertilson, DL
Kirchman, C Lovejoy, PL Yager, AE Murray. (2012). Pole to pole biogeography of surface and deep
marine bacterial communities. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. Oct 23;109(43):17633-8. doi:
10.1073/pnas.1208160109
Manuscripts in Preparation (with date of expected submission)
K. Bakker. Birth seasonality: A worldwide Rhythm. Journal of Biological Rhythms (May 2015).
K. Bakker*, Martinez-Bakker, M.*, and T. Stephenson. Disease Forecasting: Application of
Google Trends Data to Predict Varicella Transmission Seasonality in the US, UK, and Australia.
Current Biology (September 2015).
K. Bakker. Understanding the Role of Birth Seasonality in Childhood Diseases: A Theoretical
Exploration. Journal of the Royal Society: Interface (December 2015).
K. Bakker, Ionides, E., King, A.A., Eisenberg, M., and M. Pascual. Uncovering the Mechanisms
Driving Seasonal Polio and Typhoid Incidence: A Modeling Approach Towards Endgame
Strategies. Journal TBA (June 2016)
Presentations
(2015 presentations are upcoming)
Bakker, K. and M. Pascual. Ecological Society of America. Baltimore, MD.
Bakker, K. E. Ionides, M. Eisenberg, and M. Pascual. Michigan Institute for Computational
Discovery and Engineering Spring Symposium. Ann Arbor, MI.
2015 Bakker, K., E. Ionides, M. Eisenberg, and M. Pascual. Early Career Scientist Symposium.
Ann Arbor, MI.
2014 Bakker, K. and P. Rohani. Ecological Society of America. Sacramento, CA.
**Press – Interviews with LiveScience and Jeremy Fox of the Dynamic Ecology blog.
Articles also appeared in Fox News and the Daily Mail (UK).
2014 Bakker, K. and P. Rohani. Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases. Fort Collins, CO.
2015
2015
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
2010
2010
2009
2008
Bakker, K. Student Evaluation Seminar Talk. Ann Arbor, MI.
Bakker, K. 5 Minute Speed Talk – Recruitment Weekend. Ann Arbor, MI.
Bakker, K. 5 Minute Speed Talk – Departmental Seminar. Ann Arbor, MI.
Bakker, K. Theory Group Seminar Talk. Ann Arbor, MI.
Bakker, K., Martinez-Bakker, M., King, A.A., and P. Rohani. Ecology and Evolution of
Infectious Diseases. State College, PA.
Bakker, K. and P. Yager. Recruitment weekend presentation. Athens, GA.
Bakker, K. and P. Yager. AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting. Portland, OR.
Bakker, K. Oden Southern Ocean Data Synthesis Workshop. Athens, GA.
Bakker, K. Oden P.I. Organizational and Planning Meeting. Washington DC.
Professional Societies
2009-present
2010-present
2011-present
American Geophysical Union Member
Ecological Society of America Member
International Society for Infectious Diseases
Service and Outreach
April –Sept 2015
University of Michigan
Will mentor undergraduate (minority) student Emilia Iglesias
March 2015
University of Michigan
Science outreach at Dewitt Middle School – 240 students interactive learning on the scientific
method, global demography, and disease ecology
March 2015
University of Michigan
Post-prelim meeting speaker
Aug 2014-July 2015 University of Michigan
President - Graduate students in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (GREEBS). Activities
include: Organization of Coffee-Match, Advanced R workshop, Grad Hacks workshop, Q&A
session with Robert Woods and Elizabeth Pringle, and Q&A session with Chelsea Wood
April-Aug 2014
University of Michigan
Coded all models from Modeling Infectious Diseases (ISBN: 9780691116174) in R
Programming Language
May-Sept 2014
University of Michigan
Mentored undergraduate student Tabea Schatz
May 2014
University of Michigan
Qualifying exams preparation meeting, lead organizer, and speaker
May 2012
University of Michigan
Event Leader, 10th annual Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease conference and
workshop
Aug 2012-present University of Michigan
Member, GREEBS
Oct 2010-present
College Heights Neighborhood Association
Member
Aug 2009- Jun 2010 University of Georgia
Undergraduate student mentor (Will Spence, Brett Heimlich, Lance White, and Beau Gilmore)
Aug 2007-Aug 2010 University of Georgia
Marine Sciences Graduate Student Association (Outreach, donation drives, blood drives,
student officer)
May 2005-July 2006 Michigan State University
Volunteer, Lab Technician in Fisheries and Wildlife Department, participated in mark,
recapture project for sea lamprey, repaired hurricane damage in the Florida Keys
Feb 2006
Michigan State University
Student Ambassador, 2006 Spring Study Abroad Fair
July 2005-Aug 2004 Michigan Parent, Teacher, and Student Association
Volunteer - aided in the organization for the 2004 Michigan PTSA convention
Oct 2000 – Dec 2004 Michigan State University
Member, Student Alumni Foundation, Michigan State Izzone, blood drive volunteer,
fundraising assistant