# Rolf Backofen

> German bioinformatician and author

**Wikidata**: [Q2163211](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2163211)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rolf-backofen

## Summary
Rolf Backofen is a German bioinformatician and computer scientist known for his academic work in bioinformatics and computational biology, with positions at multiple German research institutions.

## Biography
- Born: 1963-06-02
- Nationality: Germany
- Education: 
  - Diplom from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (1983-10-01 to 1989-11-30)
  - Doctor of Natural Sciences from Saarland University (1990-04-01 to 1994-12-22)
  - Habilitation from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (1996-02-01 to 2000-02-23)
- Known for: Research in bioinformatics and computational biology
- Employer(s): 
  - German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (1990-04-01 to 1996-03-31)
  - Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena Institut für Informatik (2001-10-01 to 2005-06-00)
  - Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Institut für Informatik (2005-07-01 onwards)
  - Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (postdoctoral researcher, 1996-02-01 to 2001-09-31)
- Field(s): Bioinformatics, computer science, informatics

## Contributions
Rolf Backofen has contributed to the field of bioinformatics through academic research and teaching. He has supervised doctoral students including Anika Schulz and Mathias Möhl at Saarland University. His work focuses on computational approaches to biological data analysis, building on his education and research experience at multiple German universities and research centers.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Rolf Backofen's primary field of work?
A: He is primarily known as a bioinformatician and computer scientist, working in the interdisciplinary field that combines biology, computer science, and statistics to analyze biological data.

### Q: Where has Rolf Backofen worked?
A: He has held positions at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg, with additional academic work at Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich.

### Q: Who was Rolf Backofen's doctoral advisor?
A: His doctoral advisor was Gert Smolka, a German computer scientist and university teacher.

## Why They Matter
Rolf Backofen has made significant contributions to the development of bioinformatics as an academic discipline in Germany. His work has helped establish computational methods for analyzing biological data, influencing subsequent generations of researchers and students through his teaching and mentorship of doctoral students. His institutional affiliations with leading German research centers have positioned him at the intersection of academic research and practical applications in computational biology.

## Notable For
- Supervised doctoral students including Anika Schulz and Mathias Möhl
- Held positions at multiple prestigious German research institutions
- Received habilitation from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Worked under Gert Smolka as doctoral advisor
- Contributed to the interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics

## Body
### Academic Career
Rolf Backofen began his academic journey at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, where he earned a Diplom in computer science in 1989. He then pursued doctoral studies at Saarland University, completing his Doctor of Natural Sciences degree in 1994 under the guidance of Gert Smolka. Following his doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München from 1996 to 2001.

### Research Institutions
Backofen's career has been characterized by his affiliations with leading German research institutions. He joined the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in 1990, where he worked until 1996. From 2001 to 2005, he served as a full professor at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. In 2005, he moved to the Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg as a full professor, where he currently holds a position.

### Academic Contributions
Backofen's research focuses on bioinformatics and computational biology. He has contributed to the development of computational methods for analyzing biological data and has supervised multiple doctoral students. His work has been published through various academic channels, including contributions to the fields of informatics and bioinformatics.

### Professional Affiliations
Throughout his career, Backofen has maintained connections with various academic and research institutions. His affiliations have included positions at both research centers and universities, demonstrating his role in bridging academic research with practical applications in computational biology.

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## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0001-8231-3323/education/2137509)
3. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0001-8231-3323/education/2137518)
4. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0001-8231-3323/education/2137530)
5. Mathematics Genealogy Project
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-8231-3323/employment/2137474)
8. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-8231-3323/employment/2137402)
9. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-8231-3323/employment/2137403)
10. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-8231-3323/employment/2137493)
11. International Standard Name Identifier
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. CiNii Research
14. [SciGraph](https://scigraph.springernature.com/person.01103444236.12)
15. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File