Research Staff

Dr. Thomas E. Rinderer, Research Leader and a Research Geneticist, joined the laboratory in 1975. Since that time he has conducted a wide variety of research projects concerning Africanized bees, honey bee behavior, genetics and honey production. Currently he leads the team that is further evaluating and developing a stock of bees from the Far East of Russia that has resistance to varroa mites.

Phone (225) 767-9280, 767-9281. E-mail: thomas.rinderer@ars.usda.gov

 

Dr. A. Lelania Bourgeois, is a Research Molecular Biologist with a background in population genetics, molecular immunology and selective breeding for disease resistance.  She has assessed genetic diversity in Italian bees in the U.S. and Italy and is developing genetic markers for identification of the Russian bee stock released to the industry by the Honey Bee Breeding Lab.  The primary focus of her current research is the development of genetic markers associated with resistance to varroa mites and with other economically important traits for marker-assisted breeding.

Phone (225) 767-9288. E-mail: lanie.bourgeois@ars.usda.gov

Dr. Robert G. Danka, is a Research Entomologist who has studied Africanized bee behavior and abatement technology, and genetic resistance of honey bees to tracheal mites.  His current research focuses on the genetic basis of pollination related foraging behavior of experimental and commercial bee stocks.

Phone (225) 767-9294. E-mail: bob.danka@ars.usda.gov

Dr. Lilia I. de Guzman, a Research Entomologist, has studied varroa and tracheal mite resistance of Yugoslavian and Russian bees.  She also studied the molecular genetics of varroa mites worldwide.  Her current research is on the mechanisms of resistance of the Russian honey bees to varroa mites and the small hive beetle.

Phone (225) 767-9282. E-mail: lilia.deguzman@ars.usda.gov

Dr. Jeffrey W. Harris, is a Research Entomologist with a background in insect physiology.  His research primarily is aimed at finding and selecting specific traits of bees associated with resistance to varroa mites.  These traits will be combined to create improved resistant stocks.

Phone (225) 767-9284. E-mail: jeffrey.harris@ars.usda.gov

Dr. H. Allen Sylvester, a Research Geneticist, has been with the laboratory since 1976.  Using DNA marker methods,  he studied honey bee mating biology and species diversity of honey bees.  He also developed DNA marker methods to identify Russian honey bees and to distinguish between different varroa biotypes.  His current efforts involve further refining the DNA marker identification method for Russian bees.  His goal is to apply molecular genetics to improve honey bee stocks.

Phone (225) 767-9291. E-mail: allen.sylvester@ars.usda.gov

Dr. José Villa, is a Research Entomologist who has studied the overwintering potential of Africanized bees, the population ecology of feral bees, and the impact of parasitic mites on bees. He now works on genetic resistance of honey bee stocks to tracheal mites.

Phone (225) 767-9293. E-mail: jose.villa@ars.usda.gov

Biological technicians at the laboratory assist in all aspects of conducting research. Work activities take place both in the field and in laboratory settings.  Besides home base in Baton Rouge, the research takes them to a variety of places in the U.S. The technical staff consists of:

Ms. Lorraine D. Beaman, assists with genetic markers for disease resistant research.
Phone (225) 767-9295. E-mail: lorraine.beaman@ars.usda.gov

Mr. Gary T. Delatte, assists in Russian bee research and the evaluation and development of Russian queen lines resistant to varroa mites. Also responsible for Russian stock management and propagation.
Phone (225) 767-9292. E-mail: gary.delatte@ars.usda.gov

Mr. Garrett E. Dodds, assists in studies of varroa resistant bees.
Phone (225) 767-9290.  E-mail: garrett.dodds@ars.usda.gov

Mr. David F. Dodge, assists in finding and selecting specific traits of bees associated with resistance to varroa mites.
Phone (225) 767-9283. E-mail: david.dodge@ars.usda.gov

Ms. Amanda M. Frake ("Mandy"), assists in research of the mechanisms of resistance of the Russian honey bees to varroa mites and the small hive beetle.
Phone (225) 767-9298.  E-mail: mandy.frake@ars.usda.gov

Mr. Victor P. Rainey, assists in genetic resistance of honey bee stocks to tracheal mites.
Phone (225) 767-9284. E-mail: victor.rainey@ars.usda.gov

Mr. J. Anthony Stelzer ("Tony"), assists in Russian bee research, evaluation and development of Russian queen lines resistant to varroa mites, and mechanisms of varroa resistance.
Phone (225) 202-6131. E-mail: tony.stelzer@ars.usda.gov

Dr. Christine M. Wagener, assists in the logistical planning and execution of the "Areawide Project" which consists of 4 honey bee stocks in a large-scale pollination project.
Phone (225) 767-9295. E-mail: christine.wagener@ars.usda.gov

Mr. Joshua W. Wales ("Josh"), assists in Russian bee research and stock management.
Phone (225) 767-9296.  E-mail: joshua.wales@ars.usda.gov

Ms. Rachel P. Watts, assists in genomic DNA research.
Phone (225) 767-9286.

Mr. Daniel D. Winfrey ("Dan"), assists in studies of varroa resistant bees.
Phone (225) 767-9287. E-mail: daniel.winfrey@ars.usda.gov

Ms. Sandra Hineman, Lab Secretary
Phone (225) 767-9280.  E-mail: sandy.hineman@ars.usda.gov

Biological Aides (Student workers) contribute to achieving the research mission in a variety of ways - clerical, data entry, lab work and field crew.  They are:

  
  Jarmon King
  Daniel Lovell
  Nathan Maddox
  Alyzza Prudente
  Jourdan Puyau
  John West