Dr Bram Kuijper (he/him)

Bram is a computational biologist, who uses mathematical and simulation models to improve our understanding of fundamental questions in epidemiology, behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology. He is a member of Exeter Evolution and affiliated through the Cornwall Research Hub to the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI). 

Bram Kuijper's research: putting computational models in ecology & evolution to the test in populations of wild animals

A large part of Bram's research focuses on the development of mathematical and simulation models to predict (i) the evolution of parental influences on offspring and (ii) how stressors, pesticides and infectious disease shape an individual's decision making.

To explore these questions, Bram uses a range of theoretical techniques (game theory, quantitative genetics, individual-based simulations, dynamic programming). Bram has expertise in developing scientific software using a range of programming languages, (C++, R, Python, github profile) and has a long-standing experience working with high-performance computing environments.

Moreover, Bram uses lab and field studies to interrogate models. He collaborates on a NERC grant (PI: Prof Alex Thornton) on partner choice in jackdaws. With PhD student Emily Gilford and Prof Tom Tregenza he develops lab studies on the effect of stress and pesticides in field crickets. With PhD student Miranda Johnstone he works on the effect of pesticides and microplastics on bumblebees. With PhD student Ash Abbott he develops digital twin models of marine turtles to inform conservation practice.

Technology:

• Individual-based simulations in C++
• Numerical models in Python, R
• Dashboards and data visualisation using Rshiny, Python dash
• Database work using plain text and postgres
• Dynamic models in the life sciences (large systems of ODEs)
• Sysadmin using bash, ansible, containerization like Docker
• HPC Programming on Linux systems
• Teaching students programming and computing

Research topics

• Evolutionary biology
• Adaptation to stress
• Epidemiology & Statistics

Teaching

Bram is heavily involved in teaching quantitative techniques and statistical methods to undergraduate and postgraduate students. He is currently involved in the following modules:

• BIO2414 Evolutionary Ecology, module lead and computational modelling
• BIO3420 Evolutionary Biology in Health and Disease, computational modelling
• BIO3449 Marine Ecology and Evolutionary Conservation in Corsica, lecturer
• BIOM4046 Evolution, Behaviour and Ecology: computational modelling, experimental design

Bram has also taught modules on scientific programming in Python to the University's doctoral college and co-teaches a biannual course on epidemiology to MSc students at CERMEL in Lambarene, Gabon.

Positions of responsibility

Director of Postgraduate Taught

Academic lead for admissions and open days at the Centre for Ecology and Conservation. 

Join us! Interested in working on the interface between evolutionary theory and data? Interested in joining the group for a postdoctoral, PhD or MbyRes project? Please get in touch to discuss project ideas and funding options.
We welcome new group members who want to understand more about topics such as social evolution, evolutionary theory, sexual selection, sex allocation or the evolution of inheritance. We also welcome any collaborations in which some theory is done as part of an empirical project. No background in theory is required as long as you are willing to learn cool new things about models, genetics, programming and data science.

Office hours

Thursdays 12:00 - 13:00
Fridays 16:00 - 17:00

(booking a meeting with me via outlook is always preferable)