prof. dr. R. (Kuke) Bijlsma

My main field of research is conservation genetics that studies the consequences of habitat fragmentation and particularly the accompanying genetic process of genetic drift, which causes loss of fitness (inbreeding depression) and loss of genetic variation. The main question addressed is how this so called process of genetic erosion affects the adaptability and persistence of small fragmented populations of endangered species. This includes both applied aspects, studying the genetic structures of endangered species in their natural habitat, and more fundamental aspects by doing decisive experiments using Drosophila melanogaster (banana fly, vinegar fly, fruitvlieg) as model organism.

Main position: Associate Professor
Additional activities: Chairman of the ESF Networking Programme Conservation Genetics (ConGen); Guest Editor of a special issue of the journal Conservation Genetics