About the Authors
Melissa has been researching honeybee resistance to the varroa mite for ten years. Though one of the youngest researchers tackling this problem, she played a key role in linking measurable bee behaviours to their resistance potential. Melissa spent most of her research years in Norway doing her PhD and working for the Norwegian Beekeepers Association. She profiled specially-selected bees and guided beekeepers in their breeding efforts to combat varroa. Melissa obtained her doctorate from the University of Bern and completed her postdoctoral studies on the "Bond bees" at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
Stephen has studied social insects (bees, wasps, termites and ants) for most of his 40+ year career. His main area of specialization is ‘pests and diseases of honeybees’. He holds an Emeritus Professor position at Salford University, Manchester, UK. Stephen is best known for his work on the varroa mite and its association with viruses, especially the Deformed Wing Virus. His current research aims to understand the mechanism behind the appearance of honeybee populations that have become resistant to the varroa mite. These he believes will finally provide beekeepers around the world with a long-term solution to the varroa problem.
Marla is Emeritus Professor at the University of Minnesota, having retired on New Year’s Eve, 2024. She began beekeeping in 1974 by working for a commercial beekeeper who owned 2,000 colonies. She held a research and extension position at the University beginning in 1992. Her main research focus is on social immunity; specifically, honey bees’ natural defenses against diseases and parasites. For years she and co-worker Gary Reuter bred colonies for hygienic behavior and developed the Minnesota Hygienic line. After switching to studying the benefits of propolis to honey bee health, she returned to breeding bees for resistance to varroa and to figuring out the easiest ways for beekeepers to do the same in their own operations.
