Undergraduates Blossom Researching Bees in Summer STEM Experience

Eleven undergraduate researchers with diverse academic backgrounds came to NC State University from colleges across the country for BeeMORE (Bees and Microbes in Organized Research Experiences), a nine-week summer research program. Applied Ecology faculty David Tarpy, Elsa Youngsteadt and Rebecca Irwin served as research advisors along with faculty in the departments of Plant and Microbial Biology and Entomology and Plant Pathology from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Sciences. 

For the students, BeeMORE offered an opportunity to conduct field and lab research early in their careers.

“We chose this unique and seemingly narrow niche — the overlap of bees and microbes — but the diversity of student-projects were so incredibly different and exciting,” said David Tarpy. 

Students studied bees from the molecular to the landscape level. They utilized an array of scientific techniques including DNA extraction and sequencing, coding, behavioral analysis, bee dissection, and pollen identification. 

“The research is really only a means to an end,” Tarpy explained. “I don’t expect all students to have careers in this area, but hopefully all the skills and professional development they received this summer stays with them and serves them well no matter where their career might take them.” 

Past BeeMORE participant Emma Pakulniewicz credits her experience at NC State for preparing her for an internship at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. 

“I am helping out with a project on bumble bee-flower associations and participatory pollinator science,” shared Pakulniewicz, a senior at East Carolina University. Her interest in molecular biology and environmental conservation led her to the program in 2023. “BeeMORE absolutely influenced my career path! I’m now inclined to pursue a career in conservation biology and it made me a better scientist.” 

BeeMORE is funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Research and Extension Experiential Learning for Undergraduates (REEU) Fellowships Program. Participants received financial support for stipends, conducting research, travel and lodging. Since starting the BeeMORE program in 2017, there have been 66 program participants.

“Given that all the participants this year were top notch and doing great work, we decided that we will be submitting a renewal grant to hopefully keep the program going,” said Tarpy. 

Meet the 2024 BeeMORE participants advised by Applied Ecology faculty:

Allison Huddleston, Louisiana State University
Advisors: Hannah Levenson and Elsa Youngsteadt

After observing plant-insect interactions while working in a horticulture lab, Allison Huddleston was excited to find ways to protect beneficial insects in agroecosystems. “Even though I knew very little about bees, I decided to apply to the BeeMORE program,” Huddleston said. Her summer project examined how pest management actions affect the development of native, stem-nesting bees in blackberry crops. 

From her research, Huddleston learned about managing and analyzing data, and general bee biology. 

“Before coming to the BeeMORE program, I was already interested in attending graduate school to continue researching sustainable agriculture topics. However, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pursue plant breeding or entomology,” shared Huddleston. “The BeeMORE program helped me know that I really do like working with bees, so I hope to continue researching plant-pollinator interactions in a PhD program.” 

Her favorite aspect of the program was being with the other program participants. “I met so many peers, faculty, and lab mates with different experiences. I learned so much more about bees, conservation, and science careers just through daily conversations with everyone around me.”

Eva Corral, University of Colorado Boulder
Advisors: David Tarpy and Brad Metz

Eva Corral studied how the reproductive systems of male honey bees respond to heat and viral stressors such as deformed wing virus (DWV). Despite not having an extensive background in entomology, Corral has always appreciated bugs of all kinds. 

“I learned more about insects and plants this summer than I ever have before,” said Corral. “I have a much deeper understanding of the smaller side of the natural world.” 

Corral’s summer research has solidified her desire to continue her academic career. “I’m the kind of person who wants to know as much as possible about everything I can … I want to go on to graduate school and at least pursue a masters within biology, maybe a doctorate if I can find the right avenue for myself. So I guess all that’s left is to find my niche!” 

Reflecting on her summer, Corral feels grateful to have shared the experience with the other BeeMORE participants. “I got to spend time with a bunch of other women in biology and ecology. It was really awesome being surrounded by such intelligent and cool people and getting to work on science and enjoy a city I’ve never been to alongside them. I’ve definitely made some lifetime bonds here.” 

Jenalyn Ostendorf, University of Minnesota
Advisors: Hannah Levenson and Elsa Youngsteadt

As a plant science major and an entomology minor, Jenalyn Ostendorf’s BeeMORE project combined her two scientific interests. Ostendorf documented bee and plant species at agriculture, forest, and solar sites to better understand the impact of land-use change on bee and plant communities.

This was a summer of firsts for Ostendorf, including her first time conducting field work. 

“I learned that scientific research in ecology is not always a smooth process. There are many ‘road bumps’ that occur along the way that we cannot always anticipate. When working with living things in the ever-changing natural world, we as scientists have to adapt with it. This summer has helped me to embrace change and uncertainty and view it as an opportunity for growth,” reflected Ostendorf. 

After completing the BeeMORE program, Ostendorf is looking toward graduate school. “Before this experience, I knew that I wanted to go to graduate school for entomology. The BeeMORE program has helped me to narrow my research interests of plants, bees, and wasps”. 

Rachel Bortnick, Elmira College
Advisor: Elsa Youngsteadt

You may have seen Rachel Bortnick collecting data for her research project if you passed by the Governors Scott Courtyard on North Campus. 

“I was drawn to the BeeMORE program because I wanted to learn more about the role bees have in an ecosystem,” Bortnick shared. “I have heard a lot about their importance but this summer I got to experience it first-hand.” 

Inside a tent, Bortnick weighed and equipped bees with telemetry tags. From observing their flight, she determined what percentage of their body weight each bee species could carry, and how physical and behavioral traits could be used to predict that weight. This information can aid researchers in selecting optimal telemetry tags for future bee tracking projects. 

“I was given the opportunity to conduct my own research, which gave me valuable hands-on experience and built my confidence. Being able to work through the ups and downs of this research with guidance from my mentors gave me a realistic look at what a career in research would look like,” says Bortnick. She plans to continue contributing to conservation efforts through research and education. 

Maya Szymborski, Appalachian State University
Advisor: April Sharp, Irwin Lab

With an interest in animal behavior, the BeeMORE program was a perfect fit for Maya Szymborski. “When I saw that there was research being conducted on bee parasites and insect responses to anthropogenic stressors, I was immediately interested in the program,” said Szymborski. “Plus, I have always been fascinated by insects,” she added. 

Szymborski studied the effects of sunflower pollen on the transmission of the parasite Crithidia bombi in bumble bees and solitary bee species. 

“Previous research indicates that sunflower pollen reduces C. bombi levels in individual bumble bees, possibly by increasing their defecate rates. However, since the parasite is transmitted fecal-orally, my mentor April Sharp and I investigated if sunflower pollen might also increase the rate of parasite transmission due to the increased amount of fecal matter produced,” explained Szymborski. 

Szymborski learned valuable skills related to lab operations and data analysis. “I was surprised by how much of research involves prep work, and I was amused to find that a lot of it felt like arts and crafts- many components were improvised from random materials!”

Tejal Bhor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Advisors: David Tarpy and Yosef Hamba Tola

Tejal Bhor’s greatest tool aiding her summer bee research was not a net or a smoker, but rather her laptop. “My research was primarily done indoors on my laptop, which was a change from working in the lab year-round. It gave me the insight that research exists in multiple forms and settings,” reflected Bhor. 

Bhor’s research project examined bacteria found in the bee gut microbiome. 

“I am personally interested in genetics research. I have worked with some bioinformatics softwares as well as bacteriophages, which led me to BeeMORE,” said Bhor. “It was a perfect fit for me, as I could use my experience and learn more about bioinformatics research.”

After BeeMORE, Bhor is continuing to conduct research at Virginia Commonwealth University and plans to apply to medical schools. “BeeMORE has been a great experience. My mentors Yosef Hamba-Tola and Dr. Tarpy have solidified my understanding about academic research and how it can play a role in my future.”

Kelly Bennett, Penn State University
Advisors: Bianca Jimenez, Irwin Lab

Kelly Bennett is no stranger to handling bees. At Penn State University, Bennett studies the effect of pesticides on solitary mason bee larval survival, development, and body size in the Grozinger Lab. This summer, she continued to research bee health as a BeeMORE student researcher with NC State PhD student Bianca Jimenez. 

“The gut parasite Crithidia bombi has been shown to cause a decline in cognition and reproduction in infected bees. This parasite has been historically associated with bumble bees, however, recent research has shown that other bees can sustain Crithidia infections,” explained Bennett. “We wanted to discover the scope and intensity of Crithidia infections in diverse bee genera”. 

A highlight of Bennett’s summer was working alongside her fellow researchers.

“Something I’ve learned throughout my undergraduate career and especially this summer is that having a community is essential. Science has the potential to be hard and lonely but it’s significantly easier when you have a team to support, encourage, and laugh with you through both exciting and frustrating moments. I’m grateful to consider the Irwin Lab and BeeMORE participants as part of my team.” 

After a successful summer, Bennett is leaving Raleigh with the confidence to pursue graduate school and continue studying solitary bee ecology. “It was amazing to work closely with such passionate and dedicated scientists. Working with the members of the Irwin Lab strengthened my love for research.”