Theodore Eugene Burk, DPhil

Professor

photo placeholder for Burk, Theodore E

Contact

tedburk@creighton.edu
College of Arts and Sciences
Biology
HLSB - Hixson Lied Science Building - 442

Theodore Eugene Burk, DPhil

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.

Research Focus

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

Department

Biology

Position

Professor

Books

  • Grier James W, etal Biology of animal behavior 1992

Articles

  • Creighton University Magazine
    Burk Theodore E., Butterfly lore and legend
    2006, p. 22 - 25 2006
  • Creighton University Magazine
    Burk Theodore E., Fly-witness testimony: The science of forensic entomology.
    2005, p. 28 - 33 2005

Publications

  • The Florida entomologist
    Burk Theodore, Acoustic Signals, Arms Races and the Costs of Honest Signalling
    71:4, p. 400 - 409 1988
  • The Florida entomologist
    Burk Theodore, Caribbean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Mating Propensity Tests: Effects of a 'Checkerboard' Cage Top
    69:2, p. 428 - 430 1986
  • Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society
    Janousek Thomas E., etal Two-Dimensional Flight Paths of Mate-Searching Male Fireflies, Photinus pyralis
    58:3, p. 562 - 563 1985
  • The Florida entomologist
    Burk Theodore, Male-Male Interactions in Caribbean Fruit Flies, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae): Territorial Fights and Signalling Stimulation
    67:4, p. 542 - 547 1984
  • Animal behaviour
    Sivinski J, etal Acoustic courtship signals in the caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew)
    32:4, p. 1011 - 1016 1984
  • Annals of the Entomological Society of America
    Webb J. C, etal Attraction of female caribbean fruit flies, Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae), to the presence of males and male-produced stimuli in field cages
    76:6, p. 996 - 998 1983
  • The Florida entomologist
    Burk Theodore, etal Medfly Mating Behavior and Control Strategies
    66:1, p. 3 - 18 1983
  • The Florida entomologist
    Burk Theodore, Sticky Panel Catches of the Tachinid Euphasiopteryx ochracea
    65:2, p. 291 - 292 1982
  • The Florida entomologist
    Burk T, Evolutionary Significance of Predation on Sexually Signalling Males
    65:1, p. 90 - 105 1982
  • The Florida entomologist
    , Signaling and Sex in Acalyptrate Flies
    64:1, p. 30 - 43 1981
  • Animal behaviour
    Rust Michael K., etal Pheromone-stimulated locomotory and orientation responses in the American cockroach
    24:1, p. 52 - 67 1976
  • Behavioral biology
    Bell William J., etal Cockroach aggregation pheromone: Directional orientation
    9:2, p. 251 - 255 1973

Awards

  • Distinguished Faculty Award
    For 30 years of teaching in the Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Post-Baccalaureate Program
    School of Health Sciences Multicultural and Community Affairs Office
  • Professional Excellence in Pre-Major Advising
    Creighton College of Arts and Sciences
  • Dean's Award for Professional Excellence in Service
    Creighton College of Arts and Sciences
  • Ratio Studiorum Program Outstanding Advisor Award
    Creighton College of Arts and Sciences
  • Professional Excellence in Freshman Advising Award
    Creighton College of Arts and Sciences
    Creighton College of Arts and Sciences
  • Father William Kelly Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching
    For implementation of the Senior Perspective Course component of the Core Curriculum
    Creighton University
  • Father William Kelly Award for Outstanding Service in a Support Area
    For service as a member of the Pre-Health Sciences Advisory Committee
    Creighton University
  • Outstanding Advisor Award
    Creighton College of Arts and Sciences
  • Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching
    Creighton College of Arts and Sciences
  • "Iggy Award"
    Received in 2012, 2014, and 2020 as a faculty member named by a student as exhibiting the Jesuit Cura Personalis in an affirming manner
    Creighton University Office of Student Retention

Consulting

  • Consultant
    Consultant on Butterfly Flower Use
    Provided input on flower use by butterflies to the Xerces Society. Some of my findings were highlighted in their new publication "Native Thistles: A Conservation Practitioner's Guide"
    Xerces Society (International Organization for Conservation of Invertebrates)
    2018 - 2018
  • Consultant at Glacier Creek Preserve
    Member of Management Committee
    Based on my expertise from my ongoing research, I am a member of the Glacier Creek Preserve Management Committee, which oversees management of this important local prairie preserve.
    Glacier Creek Preserve, University of Nebraska at Omaha
    2013 - 2013