Research Areas  

Sample projects available for Summer 2024

Dr. David Tarpy

  • Elucidating the gut microbiome of honey bee queens
  • Studying the pathogen webs within honey bee colonies (particularly viruses)
  • Investigating the disease ecology in pollinator communities in agricultural buffer strips

Dr. Elsa Youngsteadt

  • Relationship between behavior, morphology, and pathogen status of carpenter bees (with Tarpy lab)
  • Effects of socioeconomic status on urban bee habitat and bee diversity
  • Effects of urban warming and climate change on bee health and pollination

Dr. Carlos Goller

  • Evaluating the microbial diversity found in DNA from bee hives
  • High-throughput screening of samples from bee hives to identify antimicrobials and potential pathogens
  • Characterizing new yeast associated with bees

Dr. Becky Irwin

  • Exploring how floral traits influence bee parasite transmission 
  • Investigating how the biology and sociality of bees affects parasite reproduction in individuals and colonies
  • Examining how the secondary chemistry of nectar and pollen influences bee disease dynamics?

Dr. Manuel Kleiner

  • Study of host-microbiome systems in both animals & plants, comparing microbiome interactions across host kingdoms

Dr. Will Petry

  • Modeling pathogen transmission within & among bee colonies
  • Characterizing the dispersal ecology of hive pests/inquilines & modeling their spatial spread

Dr. Hannah Levenson

  • Evaluating the impacts of pollinator habitat plantings on pollinator communities
  • Exploring the interface of pest management and pollinator conservation in specialty crops
  • Investigating the disease ecology of pollinator communities in agroecosystems

Dr. Caiti Smukowski Heil

  • Population genetics of nectar dwelling yeast
  • The role of insects in yeast mating and outcrossing
  • Insect mediated dispersal of yeast

Dr. Kasie Raymann

  • Determining how physiology and diet impact the honey bee gut microbiome
  • Characterizing the reproductive microbiome of honey bees
  • Using experimental evolution to study the factors that impact virulence in opportunistic pathogens

 

                      

 

Former Student Research Projects

  • 2023
    • Why did the bee cross the road? (Angela Y., Youngsteadt lab)
    • 30 Years of Encarsia in North Carolina: Where Are They Now? (Micah L., Kleiner lab)
    • Comparing the Diversity of Microorganisms within Wildtype and Commercially Available Galleria mellonella Larvae (Makenzie H., Goller lab)
    • Honey Bee Lifespan Influence on the Gut Microbiome (Sunday W., Tarpy lab)
  • 2022
    • Does adding pollinator conservation habitat increase mite abundance on bees? (Nia B., Levenson lab)
    • Effects of nectar yeast in pollinator foraging preference (Mckaela W., Irwin lab)
    • Describing the interactions between pathogens and parasites within honey bee colonies (Cameron M., Tarpy lab)
    • The Changes of Microbial Abundance and Nutritional Content Through“Bee Bread” maturation of Large Carpenter bee Nests (Estefany V., Mikaelyan lab)
  • 2021
    • Isolation & Analysis of Paenibacillus larvae from Healthy & AFB-Diseased Honey Bee Hives (Rebecca G., Miller Lab)
    • Treatments Towards Reducing Parasite Infection within Commercial Bumblebee Colonies (Levi L., Irwin Lab)
    • Combined Effect of Pathogen Presence and Temperature Stress on Drone Sperm Resilience (Keana D., Tarpy Lab)
    • Characterization of Wild Starmerella bombicola Isolates (Giovanni C., Goller Lab)
    • The External Microbiomes of the Eastern Carpenter Bee: Characterization & Potential Applications for Insect Biocontrol (Elizabeth W., Mikaelyn Lab)
  • 2019
    • P. larvae and Its Prophages: Understanding Prophage Integration and Maintenance (Maggie R., Miller Lab)
    • Does Flow Morphology Affect Transmission of a Bumble Bee Parasite (Melanie H., Irwin Lab)
    • Carpenter Bee Nests as a Source of Microbes for Biodegradation of Pulp Mill Waste (Simran S., Grunden Lab)
    • Xylocopa virginica Nesting Patterns and Microbial Diversity in the Nest and Bee Gut (Gabriela Q., Youngsteadt Lab)    
  • 2018
    • Forging a Connection between Bees and Yeasts: Characterizing Candida cellae (Maira H., Goller Lab)
    • Growth Kinetics of Parasaccharibacter apium (Melody I., Bruno-Barcena Lab)
    • Beetles, Bees, and Systemic RNAi, Oh My! (Kimberly R., Lorenzen Lab)
    • Viral Loads in Honey Bee Larvae and Adult Honey Bees (Marshaè C., Tarpy Lab)
  • 2017
    • Effects of Rosmarinic Acid on Parasite Loads in Bumble Bees (Victoria B., Irwin Lab)
    • Investigating RNAi to Control an Invasive Honey Bee Pest, The Small Hive Beetle (Nikhil B., Lorenzen Lab)
    • Queen Honey Bees & Deformed Wing Virus: Impact of Early Dwv Exposure on Infection (Tatianaide N., Tarpy Lab) 
    • Harnessing Bee Microbes for Lignin Degradation (Nadezhda R., Grunden Lab)