Theodore E. Burk, DPhil

Department

• Biology

Position

• Professor

Ted Burk grew up in the small town of Scranton, Kansas, and attended the University of Kansas, graduating in 1974 with a B.A. in Biology. He was a graduate student at New College of the University of Oxford as a Danforth Fellow and Rhodes Scholar, earning a D. Phil. in Zoology in 1979 under the supervision of the controversial evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. After a three-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Florida, he joined the Creighton University Biology Department in 1982, becoming Professor of Biology in 1996. He was Chair of the Department of Biology from 1990 to 2000 and Interim Chair of the Department of Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences in 2002-2003. He has received the Creighton College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching, Outstanding Advising, and Professional Excellence in Service. He has taught a wide variety of courses at Creighton, including General Biology, Animal Behavior, Evolution, Conservation Biology, and Entomology. His research interests are in behavioral and conservation biology, especially of insects; he has authored 30 papers and book chapters and is co-author of the textbook Biology of Animal Behavior. Much of his professional activity now involves “citizen science” projects in which members of the public help collect information important in conservation of wild species and habitats. He is married to Dr. Christine Burk of Birmingham, England; they have four daughters and three grandchildren.

Articles

• , 2006, 22-25
• , 2005, 28-33

Publications

• , 130, 44
• , 130, 44
• , 129, 62
• , 127, 61
• , 136, 61
• , 136, 61
• , 134, 64
• , 132, 72

Presentations

Research and Scholarship Interests

• Insect Conservation Biology (especially butterflies and other pollinators); Insect Behavioral Ecology (especially insect communication and social behavior)

Current Research Projects

• Conservation of, including effects of management practices on, prairie butterfly populations; nectar plant use by prairie butterflies; importance of butterflies as pollinators of prairie plants.

Grant Funding Received

• NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research grant for Nebraska Behavioral Biology Group (University of Nebraska - Lincoln, UN - Omaha, and Creighton); Creighton sub-components: Initial Award $467,557 (1993-1996), Renewal $68,107 (1996-1998)

• Distinguished Faculty Award, School of Health Sciences Multicultural and Community Affairs Office, 2019
• Consultant, 2018
• Professional Excellence in Pre-Major Advising, Creighton College of Arts and Sciences, 2015
• Consultant at Glacier Creek Preserve, 2013
• Dean's Award for Professional Excellence in Service, Creighton College of Arts and Sciences, 2011
• Ratio Studiorum Program Outstanding Advisor Award, Creighton College of Arts and Sciences, 2007
• Professional Excellence in Freshman Advising Award, Creighton College of Arts and Sciences, 2007
• Father William Kelly Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching, Creighton University, 1999
• Father William Kelly Award for Outstanding Service in a Support Area, Creighton University, 1997
• Outstanding Advisor Award, Creighton College of Arts and Sciences, 1994
• Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Creighton College of Arts and Sciences, 1989
• "Iggy Award", Creighton University Office of Student Retention