On Aug. 29, Democratic Congressman Jim Himes announced a $400,000 grant to Sacred Heart University’s Bee Health and Ecology Research Objective from the National Science Foundation. The grant will provide international research experience to undergraduate students while stressing the importance of bee health to the community.
The grant has worked to increase ecological research while creating mentorship opportunities for biology and neuroscience majors. According to a press release issued by Himes, the benefits of the study help the students in their collegiate endeavors while simultaneously saving our environment.
“About 35% of all crops in our food supply are pollinated by bees, underscoring the critical nature of protecting these insects,” Himes said. “Research facilitated by the Bee-HERO initiative will help safeguard our pollinators and prepare these young scientists for fruitful careers in the scientific community.”
A bee flying in a garden filled with purple flowers and green leaves.
Source: Andrew Dayton, Staff Photographer
This research will contribute to the understanding of agriculture and its evolutionary process. The students will present their findings at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference to expand their knowledge from the university to the community.
Bee-HERO’s grant will span over a four year time period, allowing three cohorts of six U.S. undergraduates the opportunity to engage in research. The students will study bee pathogens at the Centre for Honey Bee Research within the Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences.
“The program is trying to have a better understanding of what is affecting honey bee populations. This includes looking at viruses and different levels of resistance as well as tolerance. Interactions between wild and domestic bee populations may be affecting the global declination of bees,” said Dr. Torrance Hanley, a biology professor.
Two groups of students had a jumpstart on the opportunity for the past two summers in order to test the organization’s goals on a smaller scale.
Junior Justin Hillis participated in the program last summer.
“The purpose of the research was to try and understand the interaction between honeybees and the varroa destructor, which are making honeybee colonies weak/sick. As honeybees are a major player in the pollination of most of the food we eat, they are vital to the survival of humans,” said Hillis.
Hillis experienced diversity that heightened his research and allowed him to grow as a well-rounded member of society.
“My surprising discovery takeaway from this experience was learning how to work with many different people from around the world. I feel here at SHU most of the student body fits a similar background, but the laboratory I was working at in Sweden had people from all around the world,” Hillis said.
His experience of research through Bee-HERO also paved the way to his future career path.
“Post-graduation, I want to go onto medical school, with hopes to become an MD [Doctor of Medicine]. I feel that this experience has opened me up to the world of research,” Hillis said.
Prof. Alyssa Woronik, who works in the biology department, reported the objective of the students’ experience during the trip.
“It is certainly a priority to help the individuals in the program get exposure, make connections, and develop an exceptional resume. The program supports students who wish to continue in STEM after their undergraduate,” Woronik said.
Woronik also said how much the program aids the students who wish to get involved.
“The program is as inclusive as possible and removes any barriers an individual may have. We even have money set aside for student passports. They have healthcare.”
