Scientist

Dr. Jeffery S. Pettis, Research Leader

301 504-7299, jeff.pettis@.ars.usda.gov

Research emphasis on the behavior and chemical ecology of honey bees, including colony management techniques to reduce Varroa and tracheal mite populations, testing cultural techniques and natural products for mite and small hive beetle control and development of field bioassays to screen for mite resistance to acaracides.

Dr. Yanping (Judy) Chen, Research Entomologist

301-504-8749, judy.chen@.ars.usda.gov

Conducts research on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of honey bee viruses, including establishing insect cell lines for propagation of viruses; characterization of genomic structure of viruses; developing molecular methods for detection of virus infection and characterization of virus seasonal activity; and studying the possible role of parasitic mites in the transmission of virus diseases.

Dr. Steven C. Cook, Research Entomologist

301-504-0416, steven.cook@ars.usda.gov

Conducts research on toxicological and nutritional physiology of honey bees, including how environmental stressors (e.g., exposure to chemical residues, overwintering) affects basal metabolic processes and oxidative damage of honeybee tissues.  Nutritional studies aim to develop means with which to ameliorate the negative effects of environmental stressors.

Dr. Miguel Corona, Insect Physiologist

301- 504-8570, miguel.corona@ars.usda.gov

Conducts research on the molecular mechanisms integrating reproduction, division of labor and longevity. In particular, Dr. Corona is interested in determine how the interplay between nutrition and hormones affect the behavioral development and the susceptibility to diseases in workers and the fecundity and longevity in queens. His research is aimed to contribute to the understanding of the potential role of nutrition on workers' health and queen's longevity and their overall impact on colony losses.

Dr. Jay D. Evans, Research Entomologist

301-504-5143, jay.evans@ ars.usda.gov

Conducts genomic research on honey bees and their pests, including identifying and characterizing developmental genes; identifying genes expressed in response to disease agents, and developing methods to screen bees for disease resistance; and using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers to quantify reproduction, migration, and acaricide resistance in honey bee parasitic mites.