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My name is Christian Bakker, born on the 23rd of June 1974 in The Hague. I am program leader of the young-onset dementia research program, department of primary and community care (Donders, theme Alzheimer’s disease).
Where do you live and with whom?
We just moved a few years ago to Rotterdam, an inspiring city to live in.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? Can you tell us something about your childhood years?
As a child I was rather curious, and I loved to debate. I think my parents were less pleased with me questioning things and asking for explanations about things that from their perspective were crystal clear. I did not really have a perspective on what I wanted to become as an adult. In high school I eventually decided that I wanted to study psychology, because I was very interested in how different factors influence the way how people think, act or feel.
What was your previous academic training, where did you study and why did you choose that study/those studies?
I studied clinical and healthcare psychology at Leiden University and my interest at that time involved how personality develops over time and personality disorders in particular. However, a few years after graduation I became involved with people living with dementia as a psychologist and as to date I am still working as a healthcare psychologist in long term care next to my career as a researcher. In 2013 I completed my PhD thesis on care needs and service provision in young-onset dementia. Because of my work in clinical practice with younger people living with dementia and their family members I felt this was a highly understudied area and more scientific knowledge on the characteristics and course of young-onset dementia was necessary to be able to improve care and support for this particular group.
Which of your research discoveries are you most proud of?
I think that I am not so much proud of any discovery in particular, but I am proud of the bridge we have built between clinical practice, education of healthcare professionals working with young people living with dementia and scientific research. Together with healthcare provider organizations affiliated with the Dutch Young-onset Dementia Knowledge Center, people with young-onset dementia and their relatives, our research group and research groups with an interest in young-onset dementia at the other Alzheimer Centers we have been able to address many research questions through our research projects in the past years. We have also aided in establishing the infrastructure needed to implement this knowledge, via educational programs and regional learning communities. Finally, we have also recently established a research agenda for the upcoming years and partly because we have joined all of our efforts in the past years, young-onset dementia has become a theme in the new dementia strategy.
What is your most important scientific challenge in the coming 5 years?
In our research agenda for the upcoming years we have prioritized several research questions, of which a lot are related to long term care, for instance regarding integrated post-diagnostic care and support in young-onset dementia, optimizing access to appropriate care and support or end of life care. We know that interventions and care concepts that have been developed from a perspective of dementia in old age do not always fit the needs of people with young-onset dementia and their caregivers. The challenge for the upcoming years will be to convey that next to a focus on the mechanisms that cause dementia or finding a cure it is still necessary to allocate funds to develop interventions and specific care for families living with young-onset dementia.
If you could choose any mentor, who would it be?
I think I have had many great mentors who have taught me different things or have inspired me. For instance, Ingrid As (Healthcare psychologist) whom I admire for her talent to fathom the most complex interactions between people or Raymond Koopmans (prof. Elderly Care Medicine, especially long term care) for his dedication to his work and ability to ask the right questions at the right time.
What is your favorite topic: molecules - patients - population?
That would have to be people, who unfortunately sometimes encounter disease at some point in their life.
What should be changed / improved in the scientific community?
A lot of people in the scientific community say that it is important to balance work and personal life, but somehow many people also say that they find it difficult to do so.
Is there anything we can wake you up for in the middle of the night?
Please don’t. I am rather agreeable company if I do say so myself, but this rapidly changes when I lose sleep or haven’t eaten for a while. So maybe if you do decide to wake me, it would probably be wise to bring some food…
What is the thing that irritates you most?
When someone is dishonest or cuts corners, really annoying.
Who would you like to have dinner with, if you had the chance?
Mark Rutte, without any doubt, I am intrigued by this man.
How do you relax from the demanding job being a scientist?
Well, the Corona pandemic has narrowed down the options, but I really enjoy city trips, going to the museum, movies or theater and having diner or drinks with friends.
Do you have a tip for our most junior scientists?
Don’t focus on a plan for your career too much, focus on the things that bring a smile to your face and keep doing these things.
Please add a photo which represents a remarkable event or experience you were part of? Please explain.
The moment we launched the young-onset dementia research agenda last year. So proud.
