TEAM
VINCENT ALBOUY
FORMER PRESIDENT, OFFICE POUR LES INSECTES ET LEUR ENVIRONNEMENT
Vincent is an amateur entomologist, strongly involved in the Office pour les Insectes et leur Environnement (Office for Insects and Their Environment, OPIE), a French nonprofit, where he served as President 2011–2015. He has been interested in honey bees living in the wild for the past 15 years. Noting a near absence of scientific data on these populations in France, in 2017 he initiated within OPIE a study on their demography in the Poitou-Charentes region, where he lives, then expanded to the north to include New Aquitaine too. OPIE
FORMER PRESIDENT, OFFICE POUR LES INSECTES ET LEUR ENVIRONNEMENT
Vincent is an amateur entomologist, strongly involved in the Office pour les Insectes et leur Environnement (Office for Insects and Their Environment, OPIE), a French nonprofit, where he served as President 2011–2015. He has been interested in honey bees living in the wild for the past 15 years. Noting a near absence of scientific data on these populations in France, in 2017 he initiated within OPIE a study on their demography in the Poitou-Charentes region, where he lives, then expanded to the north to include New Aquitaine too. OPIE
ALEXIS BEAUREPAIRE
POSTDOCTORATE, UNIVERSITY BERN, INSTITUTE OF BEE HEALTH
Alexis is an evolutionary biologist, particularly interested in the study of coevolution and the interactions between hosts and parasites. His research involves a diverse range of disciplines, such as molecular biology and animal behavior. He started working on the interactions between honey bees and Varroa mites in 2011, at the beginning of his PhD.
Institute of Bee Health
POSTDOCTORATE, UNIVERSITY BERN, INSTITUTE OF BEE HEALTH
Alexis is an evolutionary biologist, particularly interested in the study of coevolution and the interactions between hosts and parasites. His research involves a diverse range of disciplines, such as molecular biology and animal behavior. He started working on the interactions between honey bees and Varroa mites in 2011, at the beginning of his PhD.
Institute of Bee Health
HUMBERTO BONCRISTIANI
FOUNDER, INSIDETHEHIVE.TV
Humberto is a honey bee researcher who loves talking about bees. After working in several government institutions and universities researching Apis mellifera viruses, he founded InsideTheHive.TV to become an independent consultant for the beekeeping industry. On YouTube, he dedicates his time to translating the lessons of honey bees to the world.
InsideTheHive.TV
FOUNDER, INSIDETHEHIVE.TV
Humberto is a honey bee researcher who loves talking about bees. After working in several government institutions and universities researching Apis mellifera viruses, he founded InsideTheHive.TV to become an independent consultant for the beekeeping industry. On YouTube, he dedicates his time to translating the lessons of honey bees to the world.
InsideTheHive.TV
KEITH BROWNE
PHD CANDIDATE, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY IRELAND, GALWAY
Keith’s research aims to inform and protect both the honey bee and beekeeping. A lifetime armchair scientist, he began a PhD at the National University of Ireland, Galway on the molecular evolution of Ireland’s honey bees in 2014, under the tutelage of supervisor Prof. Grace McCormack (also a part of the Honey Bee Watch team). Focusing on influences on colony fitness, his work includes a national bee breeding program, types of pollen used by colonies in similar and disparate regions in Ireland, and the gut microbiota of honey bees. He is currently conducting a novel investigation into the ecology and survivorship of Ireland’s free-living honey bee colonies using citizen science. National University Ireland, Galway
PHD CANDIDATE, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY IRELAND, GALWAY
Keith’s research aims to inform and protect both the honey bee and beekeeping. A lifetime armchair scientist, he began a PhD at the National University of Ireland, Galway on the molecular evolution of Ireland’s honey bees in 2014, under the tutelage of supervisor Prof. Grace McCormack (also a part of the Honey Bee Watch team). Focusing on influences on colony fitness, his work includes a national bee breeding program, types of pollen used by colonies in similar and disparate regions in Ireland, and the gut microbiota of honey bees. He is currently conducting a novel investigation into the ecology and survivorship of Ireland’s free-living honey bee colonies using citizen science. National University Ireland, Galway
DR. PANUWAN CHANTAWANNAKUL (in memoriam)
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY
Panuwan studied honey bee pathology and bee products in Thailand and Southeast Asia. She worked at the Faculty of Science, CMU, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology, supported by the Thai government. She finished her PhD in Microbiology at Cardiff University, UK, where she studied American foulbrood. In 2000, she took a post-doctoral post in Japan, working on protein crystallization. She established the Bee Protection Laboratory as a one-stop service for bee disease diagnosis and bee product development for local beekeeper communities in Thailand. Chiang Mai University
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY
Panuwan studied honey bee pathology and bee products in Thailand and Southeast Asia. She worked at the Faculty of Science, CMU, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology, supported by the Thai government. She finished her PhD in Microbiology at Cardiff University, UK, where she studied American foulbrood. In 2000, she took a post-doctoral post in Japan, working on protein crystallization. She established the Bee Protection Laboratory as a one-stop service for bee disease diagnosis and bee product development for local beekeeper communities in Thailand. Chiang Mai University
DANNY CLICERI
SCIENCE COORDINATOR, RESILIENT BEE PROJECT
FIXED-TERM RESEARCHER, EDMUND MACH FOUNDATION
Danny is a researcher in Sensory and Consumer Science at the Edmund Mach Foundation, working on the promotion of sustainable diets. He considers sacred every form of life and, therefore, is a convinced environmentalist. With bees he discovered a new and definitive contact point with Nature. He’s also a natural beekeeper and scientific coordinator of Resilient Bee Project in Italy, a national-scale project, aimed at studying and protecting wild colonies of honey bees. Resilient Bee Project | Edmund Mach Foundation
SCIENCE COORDINATOR, RESILIENT BEE PROJECT
FIXED-TERM RESEARCHER, EDMUND MACH FOUNDATION
Danny is a researcher in Sensory and Consumer Science at the Edmund Mach Foundation, working on the promotion of sustainable diets. He considers sacred every form of life and, therefore, is a convinced environmentalist. With bees he discovered a new and definitive contact point with Nature. He’s also a natural beekeeper and scientific coordinator of Resilient Bee Project in Italy, a national-scale project, aimed at studying and protecting wild colonies of honey bees. Resilient Bee Project | Edmund Mach Foundation
RAFFAELE DALL'OLIO
OWNER, BEESOURCES
Raffaele is 360° devoted to honey bees. After several years’ experience as a researcher, he decided to become a freelance consultant. Specialized in breeding and conservation, he strives to balance the needs of the beekeeping industry with those of the bees, always guided by a dedication to sustainability. When leveraging his master honey-sensory skills, he educates new consumers on this principle too. Raffaele is also a beekeeper, currently managing approximately 100 hives in Italy. BeeSources
OWNER, BEESOURCES
Raffaele is 360° devoted to honey bees. After several years’ experience as a researcher, he decided to become a freelance consultant. Specialized in breeding and conservation, he strives to balance the needs of the beekeeping industry with those of the bees, always guided by a dedication to sustainability. When leveraging his master honey-sensory skills, he educates new consumers on this principle too. Raffaele is also a beekeeper, currently managing approximately 100 hives in Italy. BeeSources
PAOLO FONTANA
TECHNOLOGIST, EDMUND MACH FOUNDATION
Paolo is a naturalist, entomologist, and apidologist. Born in Vicenza in 1965, he has always lived in Isola Vicentina (Veneto, Italy). After graduating in Agricultural Sciences and getting a PhD in Applied Entomology, he worked at the University of Padua until 2009, and since then at the Edmund Mach Foundation. He is the author of about 280 scientific and popular publications, as well as several monographs, including Il Piacere delle api (2017), which was published in English as The Joy of Bees in 2019. He has been a beekeeper for more than 30 years and recently founded a professional beekeeping company. Edmund Mach Foundation
TECHNOLOGIST, EDMUND MACH FOUNDATION
Paolo is a naturalist, entomologist, and apidologist. Born in Vicenza in 1965, he has always lived in Isola Vicentina (Veneto, Italy). After graduating in Agricultural Sciences and getting a PhD in Applied Entomology, he worked at the University of Padua until 2009, and since then at the Edmund Mach Foundation. He is the author of about 280 scientific and popular publications, as well as several monographs, including Il Piacere delle api (2017), which was published in English as The Joy of Bees in 2019. He has been a beekeeper for more than 30 years and recently founded a professional beekeeping company. Edmund Mach Foundation
DR. ROSA MARÍA LICÓN LUNA
PHD SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR, WILD BEES PROJECT & PROAPIA
As a veterinarian specialized in bee health, with a background in medical research and ecology, Rosa María believes that animal, human, and environmental health are inseparable, with bees being a great model of Nature conservation. The aim of the Wild Bees Project is to do a survey of all social, solitary, melliferous, and non-melliferous local bees in the study area that goes from the Jura Nature Reserve in France to the neighboring Geneva metropolitan area in Switzerland, given that Nature knows no political boundaries. Wild Bees Project | proApia
PHD SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR, WILD BEES PROJECT & PROAPIA
As a veterinarian specialized in bee health, with a background in medical research and ecology, Rosa María believes that animal, human, and environmental health are inseparable, with bees being a great model of Nature conservation. The aim of the Wild Bees Project is to do a survey of all social, solitary, melliferous, and non-melliferous local bees in the study area that goes from the Jura Nature Reserve in France to the neighboring Geneva metropolitan area in Switzerland, given that Nature knows no political boundaries. Wild Bees Project | proApia
DR. GRACE MCCORMACK
PERSONAL PROFESSOR, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY IRELAND, GALWAY
Grace McCormack is a Professor of Zoology at NUI Galway. Her interests lie in evolutionary biology and particularly in using molecular data to understand how organisms are related to each other and the impacts this may have on conservation and the evolution of organismal traits. Grace has been beekeeping for seven years and currently manages 15 colonies. She became interested in free-living colonies in 2015, and has been investigating their survival, diversity, and distribution since. She is interested both in conservation of Apis mellifera mellifera and resilience of untreated bees to Varroa and other challenges introduced by humans. National University Ireland, Galway
PERSONAL PROFESSOR, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY IRELAND, GALWAY
Grace McCormack is a Professor of Zoology at NUI Galway. Her interests lie in evolutionary biology and particularly in using molecular data to understand how organisms are related to each other and the impacts this may have on conservation and the evolution of organismal traits. Grace has been beekeeping for seven years and currently manages 15 colonies. She became interested in free-living colonies in 2015, and has been investigating their survival, diversity, and distribution since. She is interested both in conservation of Apis mellifera mellifera and resilience of untreated bees to Varroa and other challenges introduced by humans. National University Ireland, Galway
ARRIGO MORO
PHD CANDIDATE, UNIVERSITY BERN, INSTITUTE OF BEE HEALTH
Arrigo is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a beekeeper with more than 15 years of expertise in the professional sector. He is currently completing his PhD at the Institute of Bee Health at University Bern, where he is investigating the coevolutionary relationship between naturally surviving Western honey bees and their most important pest, Varroa destructor. Institute of Bee Health
PHD CANDIDATE, UNIVERSITY BERN, INSTITUTE OF BEE HEALTH
Arrigo is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a beekeeper with more than 15 years of expertise in the professional sector. He is currently completing his PhD at the Institute of Bee Health at University Bern, where he is investigating the coevolutionary relationship between naturally surviving Western honey bees and their most important pest, Varroa destructor. Institute of Bee Health
M. ALICE PINTO
COORDINATOR PROFESSOR, MOUNTAIN RESEARCH CENTRE (CIMO), POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF BRAGANÇA, PORTUGAL
Alice developed a keen interest in honey bees during her PhD research, while studying a fascinating feral population living in oak tree cavities on a wildlife refuge in Texas, US. For her dissertation she examined the genetic changes in this population undergoing Africanization. Currently, her main research interests involve uncovering the processes, both natural and human-mediated, that shape extant genetic diversity patterns in honey bee populations, with a particular focus on understanding the basis of local adaptation in different subspecies. CIMO
COORDINATOR PROFESSOR, MOUNTAIN RESEARCH CENTRE (CIMO), POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF BRAGANÇA, PORTUGAL
Alice developed a keen interest in honey bees during her PhD research, while studying a fascinating feral population living in oak tree cavities on a wildlife refuge in Texas, US. For her dissertation she examined the genetic changes in this population undergoing Africanization. Currently, her main research interests involve uncovering the processes, both natural and human-mediated, that shape extant genetic diversity patterns in honey bee populations, with a particular focus on understanding the basis of local adaptation in different subspecies. CIMO
FABRICE REQUIER
RESEARCHER, EGCE LAB & UMR CNRS-IRD-UNIVERSITÉ PARIS-SACLAY
Fabrice is a researcher with an interest in agroecology and pollinator ecology. His research focuses on pollinator responses to changes in landscape structure, exposures to agrochemicals, and pressures from (invasive) biotic factors, and the subsequent implications for biological conservation and ecosystem services. For this he generally combines the use of lab experiments, field monitoring, and modelling techniques, and has a growing interest in inclusive socio-ecological approaches. His work is oriented towards applied perspectives, including the development of decision-support tools for informing environmental policies and stakeholders. EGCE Lab (Evolution Génome Comportement et Ecologie)
RESEARCHER, EGCE LAB & UMR CNRS-IRD-UNIVERSITÉ PARIS-SACLAY
Fabrice is a researcher with an interest in agroecology and pollinator ecology. His research focuses on pollinator responses to changes in landscape structure, exposures to agrochemicals, and pressures from (invasive) biotic factors, and the subsequent implications for biological conservation and ecosystem services. For this he generally combines the use of lab experiments, field monitoring, and modelling techniques, and has a growing interest in inclusive socio-ecological approaches. His work is oriented towards applied perspectives, including the development of decision-support tools for informing environmental policies and stakeholders. EGCE Lab (Evolution Génome Comportement et Ecologie)
STEVE ROGENSTEIN
FOUNDER, THE AMBEESSADORS
Steve is a bee advocate and environmental activist. He co-produced NYC Honey Week, co-founded BCN Honey Fest in Barcelona, was lead producer of the 2019 Learning from the Bees conference, co-curates and produces the BEES, DREAMS & MEDICINE online speakers series, organizes tree-beekeeping workshops in Berlin, and founded The Ambeessadors. The latter has the dual mission of connecting the bee community and spreading awareness of and appreciation for the importance of the bee — and other pollinators — through events, research, educational programs, art, advocacy, and more. The Ambeessadors
FOUNDER, THE AMBEESSADORS
Steve is a bee advocate and environmental activist. He co-produced NYC Honey Week, co-founded BCN Honey Fest in Barcelona, was lead producer of the 2019 Learning from the Bees conference, co-curates and produces the BEES, DREAMS & MEDICINE online speakers series, organizes tree-beekeeping workshops in Berlin, and founded The Ambeessadors. The latter has the dual mission of connecting the bee community and spreading awareness of and appreciation for the importance of the bee — and other pollinators — through events, research, educational programs, art, advocacy, and more. The Ambeessadors
MICHAEL JOSHIN THIELE
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, APIS ARBOREA
Michael founded Apis Arborea in 2017 to preserve the life and resiliency of honey bees through wilding, the restoration of natural habitats, and holistic ecological and science-based approaches. His pioneering apicultural practice has appeared in national and international magazines, books, and films. He has presented his work at Harvard and New York University, consulted for the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), and in 2006, developed the organization Gaia Bees to advance biodynamic practices in apiculture. Apis Arborea
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, APIS ARBOREA
Michael founded Apis Arborea in 2017 to preserve the life and resiliency of honey bees through wilding, the restoration of natural habitats, and holistic ecological and science-based approaches. His pioneering apicultural practice has appeared in national and international magazines, books, and films. He has presented his work at Harvard and New York University, consulted for the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), and in 2006, developed the organization Gaia Bees to advance biodynamic practices in apiculture. Apis Arborea
ADELAIDE VALENTINI
FOUNDER & TEAM LEADER, RESILIENT BEE PROJECT
Adelaide states, "I’ve been living with honey bees since I was 4-years old. I am an organic beekeeper and breeder, trying to develop the most regenerative practices in order to make honey bees thrive on this beautiful planet. I’m an advocate for regeneration of both soil and communities alike, and my goal is to rewild honey bees and humans back into the wild." Resilient Bee Project
FOUNDER & TEAM LEADER, RESILIENT BEE PROJECT
Adelaide states, "I’ve been living with honey bees since I was 4-years old. I am an organic beekeeper and breeder, trying to develop the most regenerative practices in order to make honey bees thrive on this beautiful planet. I’m an advocate for regeneration of both soil and communities alike, and my goal is to rewild honey bees and humans back into the wild." Resilient Bee Project
RESEARCH PARTNERS
APIS ARBOREA US
At Apis Arborea, we believe the expanding environmental crisis of our time calls for a radical re-conceptualization of apiculture and the creation of new models for the conservation of honey bees. We regard the inter-relationship between honey bees and Earth’s ecosystems as a resource and inspiration for our human work in agriculture, economics, and sociocultural and environmental fields. We believe in the importance of collaborating with diverse stakeholders on multidisciplinary levels and creating innovative models of being and knowledge in research and conservation. Apis Arborea
ASSOCIAZIONE APISTICA NATURALE ITALIANA IT
The first association of its kind in Italy, AANI (aka Italian Natural Beekeeping Association) promotes natural beekeeping and the use of bee-friendly hives. Through its various initiatives, AANI strives to create a different kind of beekeeping, a new kind of beekeeper, by following the needs of Apis mellifera more and envisioning a more sustainable agricultural system for honey bees and wild bees alike.
THE B4 PROJECT UK
The B4 Project is a CIC (Community Interest Company), representing a group of beekeepers, whose aim is to protect the UK’s native dark honey bee, Apis mellifera mellifera, also commonly known as the European Dark Honey Bee. Its mission is to conserve, protect, and increase the population of Apis mellifera mellifera via the fusion of science and beekeeping.
BANGOR UNIVERSITY UK
Bangor University’s School of Natural Sciences conducts world-leading research and teaches across a diverse range of topics based around zoology, forestry, geography, agriculture, and conservation, facilitating interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and promoting collaboration both within the School and with other institutions and industry in the UK and overseas.
BEE IMPROVEMENT & BEE BREEDERS ASSOC. UK
The Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association (BIBBA) is committed to the conservation and promotion of the native honey bee of the British Islands and Ireland and, where not present, locally adapted bees. Education and encouragement is provided by presentations and visual material.
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES UK
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is a charity dedicated to the research and conservation of biodiversity, sustainability, lifelong learning, and the enjoyment of visitors. Research, training, and engagement on honey bees, honey, and ethical beekeeping is a core part of their work.
POLLENIZE UK
Pollenize CIC is a pollinator conservation and community beekeeping organization, focused on gathering environmental intelligence data to research and combat the drivers of insect decline and delivering public-led rewilding solutions. Its research on the honey bee will be used as a bioindicator of the health of the environment in general and as a vehicle to green recovery. Pollenize enables people to have tangible ways of being part of the solution of how we combat our climate emergency.
RESILIENT BEE PROJECT ITALY
Resilient Bee Project is creating a network of guardian beekeepers, who will take care of colonies. Wild bees are the only ones who have the secret against varroa mite.
Resilient Bee Project is creating a network of guardian beekeepers, who will take care of colonies. Wild bees are the only ones who have the secret against varroa mite.
OPIE POITOU-CHARENTES FRANCE
The Office Pour les Insectes et leur Environnement (OPIE) is a French non-governmental nature conservation and environmental education organization that works to improve knowledge of insects and to protect them. Within this framework, the Poitou-Charentes group has initiated since 2017 a demographic study of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in the wild in the north of the Nouvelle Aquitaine region.
The Office Pour les Insectes et leur Environnement (OPIE) is a French non-governmental nature conservation and environmental education organization that works to improve knowledge of insects and to protect them. Within this framework, the Poitou-Charentes group has initiated since 2017 a demographic study of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in the wild in the north of the Nouvelle Aquitaine region.
SCOTTISH BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION UK
The purpose of the Scottish Beekeepers' Association (SBA) is to support honey bees and beekeepers, to improve the standard of beekeeping, and to promote honey bee products in Scotland through:
• The advancement of education in relation to the craft of beekeeping.
• The advancement of the heritage, culture, and science of beekeeping.
• The advancement of environmental protection by conservation of the honey bee.
The purpose of the Scottish Beekeepers' Association (SBA) is to support honey bees and beekeepers, to improve the standard of beekeeping, and to promote honey bee products in Scotland through:
• The advancement of education in relation to the craft of beekeeping.
• The advancement of the heritage, culture, and science of beekeeping.
• The advancement of environmental protection by conservation of the honey bee.
WELSH BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION UK
The Welsh Beekeepers' Association (WBKA) is the national support organization and representative body for beekeepers in Wales. A team of volunteers provides members with services and support in a number of areas: events, resources, insurance, supplier discounts, as well as training to develop members’ knowledge and skills, leading to recognized beekeeping qualifications. Most of WBKA’s 1,700 members are indirectly affiliated with the organization via its 19 independent and local beekeeping associations.
WILD BEES PROJECT FRANCE
The specific aim of the Wild Bees Project is to conduct the first citizen-science demographic study in the area between France's Jura Nature Reserve and Geneva's metropolitan area by geo-localizing unmanaged honey bee nests, taking photographs of non-melliferous bees for their identification, and involving the general public and a team of experts.
WILD HONEY BEE STUDY IRELAND
The National University of Ireland, Galway is studying wild honey bees to discover the number and distribution of their colonies in order to devise conservation strategies. In conjunction with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, citizen scientists have been invited to extend the study and discover what wealth of wild honey bees are in Ireland.
The National University of Ireland, Galway is studying wild honey bees to discover the number and distribution of their colonies in order to devise conservation strategies. In conjunction with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, citizen scientists have been invited to extend the study and discover what wealth of wild honey bees are in Ireland.
TECH PARTNERS
GISCOLLECTIVE
The GISCollective team is building an open-source mapping platform. Its goal is to make it easy for a wide array of entities to collaborate on projects that benefit from GeoData collection and management. Without the need of specialized GIS knowledge, groups who participate in ecology, science, activism, administration, or local communities can benefit from a complete, versatile, and modern solution. Honey Bee Watch's mapping platform was developed by GISCollective.
The GISCollective team is building an open-source mapping platform. Its goal is to make it easy for a wide array of entities to collaborate on projects that benefit from GeoData collection and management. Without the need of specialized GIS knowledge, groups who participate in ecology, science, activism, administration, or local communities can benefit from a complete, versatile, and modern solution. Honey Bee Watch's mapping platform was developed by GISCollective.
Contacts
Project Director: Steve Rogenstein at The Ambeessadors
Science Director: Arrigo Moro at University of Galway
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