Bee Health & Ecology Research Objective (Bee-HERO)

The Bee-HERO program aims to assemble cohorts that represent the diversity of the U.S. According to the National Institutes of Health, “every facet of the United States scientific research enterprise from basic laboratory research to clinical and translational research to policy formation requires superior intellect, creativity and a wide range of skill sets and viewpoints.”

For a program to be a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation, it must train and retain diverse and talented individuals in scientific fields. Research has shown that diverse teams outperform homogenous teams because diverse teams capitalize on the varied life experiences and perspectives of team members. A diverse scientific workforce fosters innovation, generates quality and creative research and increases the robustness of learning environments. Despite the known benefits of diversity, inequities remain in educational and research opportunities, which results in underrepresentation of certain groups within STEM fields.

The program prioritizes individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (including Black, African American, Hispanic or Latino people, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander groups), individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, women, first-generation college students and individuals of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities.

Conducting research abroad offers students benefits that extend far beyond the traditional academic setting. “This opportunity nurtures not only intellectual growth but also fosters inner development. Immersing oneself in a new cultural context encourages a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives, enhancing critical thinking and creativity,” said Mark Beekey, dean of SHU’s College of Arts & Sciences. “The Bee-HERO program will allow students to explore part of the world through research where they will expand their horizons, connect with different ways of life and integrate these experiences into their academic work. Ultimately, such international research experiences cultivate well-rounded individuals who are not only adept thinkers but also empathetic global citizens, enriching their own lives and contributing meaningfully to the global community.”

Definitely not! While Swedish is the official spoken language, there is widespread English proficiency among the Swedish people. In addition, personnel in the Barbara Locke Grandér and Joachim de Miranda labs at the Swedish University for Agricultural Science hail from many countries, including the U.S., Canada, several European countries and China. English is the spoken language in the lab.

The research portion of the Bee-HERO project will occur at the Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences. Students will conduct their work in one of two labs: the lab of Barbara Locke Grandér or the lab of Joachim de Miranda.

Work in the Locke Grandér lab focuses on interactions between bees and a parasitic mite that lives in beehives—particularly the ways the bees can defend themselves against the mites and the viruses they transmit. Work in the de Miranda lab investigates the health effects domestic bees have on wild bees (such as bumble bees). Specific research projects will vary yearly.

This research is important because pollinator species play an integral role in plant reproduction. Currently, it is estimated that approximately 90% of flowering species, including crop species, rely on animal pollination. Overall, bees are the most dominant taxonomic group among pollinators, of which the honey and bumble bees are arguably the most important taxa. For example, the honey bee’s contribution to the U.S. and global economies is substantial. In the U.S. alone, they pollinate $15 billion worth of crops each year, including more than 130 types of fruits, nuts and vegetables. In 2017 honey bees produced $3.2 million worth of honey, according to USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service. Recently, honey bee colonies in the U.S. and Europe have undergone mass collapse resulting in major population declines. The specific cause of “colony collapse disorder” is not fully understood; however, contributing factors include pesticide use, climate change, habitat loss, disease and parasitic infection. Results of this research are expected to increase the understanding of health threats facing honey bees and other bee pollinators. These results are expected to have far-reaching impacts in ecology and agriculture.

Bee-HERO will have five distinct mandatory program phases per year.

1. Four-week Virtual Preparatory Program

This phase will take place throughout May, before students travel to Sweden. Students will receive a curated curriculum that includes relevant written and video content (e.g., journal articles, textbook excerpts, review articles and recorded lectures), as well as “comprehension check-in” quizzes and assignments with due dates. These assignments are tailored to the research project the student will be participating in and the student’s academic background.

2. Two-week Bootcamp (in-person)

This will take place during the first two weeks of June, immediately before students travel to Sweden. Students will stay at SHU in on-campus dormitories. The curriculum will be based on projects the students will conduct during a given year and their academic backgrounds. Expected topics and labs will likely include: the scientific method, laboratory safety, tips on keeping a laboratory notebook, introduction to relevant protocols and molecular techniques (e.g., DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis), pipetting, lab math (e.g., making solutions and dilutions) and an introduction to bees and their important role in ecology and agriculture. Students will also participate in team-building exercises and social activities such as movie nights and dinners.

3. Eight-week International Research Experience

In mid-June, Bee-HERO students will travel with a SHU professor to the Swedish Agricultural University in Uppsala, Sweden. There, students will participate in personal research projects and cultural excursions, such as visiting the city of Stockholm, the Nobel Prize Museum and ABBA The Museum, as well as seeing Viking runestones. Students will work in the lab of Barbara Locke Grandér or the lab of Joachim de Miranda.

4. Three-day Post-travel Rendezvous

Immediately following the students’ return from Sweden, they will remain at Sacred Heart for three days to:

• Complete any remaining data analyses.
• Present on the importance of bees and threats to their health as well as share their research project with visitors at SHU’s Living Shoreline Pollinator Garden.
• Create a research poster that they will present at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference (ECSC).

5. Cohort Trip to Eastern Colleges Science Conference (ECSC)

In the following spring (usually April), students will return to SHU to join their cohort and travel with professors Hanley and Woronik (and other SHU undergraduate research students) to attend the ECSC. Bee-HERO students will present their research posters they made with the guidance of faculty mentors and attend the conference banquet.

After the third year of the program, a multicohort reunion will be held at SHU for all participants. Bee-HERO participants are expected to participate in all aspects of the program.

Potentially. You should inquire with your home institution about the possibility of credit. If you are a participant from SHU, you can receive BI 390 Supervised Research credit for participating in the Bee-HERO program.

There is no cost to the student for Bee-HERO participation. All participants will receive the following:

• A $6,500 stipend ($650 per week for 10 weeks)
• Covered housing costs
• A $40 per diem for food during the two-week preparatory bootcamp at SHU and $200 weekly for food during the eight weeks they are at SLU
• Covered travel costs to SHU and SLU (including flights)
• International health insurance
• A travel card for public transportation in Sweden
• Covered travel costs associated with traveling to the ECSC

If you have financial concerns regarding program participation, you can reach out to Professor Alyssa Woronik or Professor Torrie Hanley.

A critical aim of the Bee-HERO program is to prepare participants for a career in STEM. Participation in this program will provide you:

• Extensive laboratory and research training, making you more competitive for graduate programs
• Understanding of the scientific method
• Training in how to effectively present scientific information
• Interview coaching and help in making a CV
• Experience working with a diverse group of people and within a different culture
• A large and diverse network of colleagues and mentors

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a leading international university with a research and educational focus on sustainable life. About 2,500 undergraduates, 1,280 postgraduates and 528 doctoral students are enrolled. The university engages in cutting-edge research and has several prominent positions in university rankings. SLU was ranked the third-best university in the world for agriculture and forestry, according to QS University Rankings. Additionally, CWTS Leiden Ranking has repeatedly ranked SLU first among Swedish universities for life and earth sciences.

SLU is located between two vibrant Swedish cities with a rich academic culture. It’s about a 12-minute drive south of Uppsala and a one-hour drive north of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. The Locke Grandér and de Miranda labs are a part of SLU’s Centre for Honey Bee Research and Education, which supports research and educational activities by providing sustainable infrastructure and resources, such as maintaining over 40 honey bee colonies in top-class conditions. The center is a part of the Department of Ecology at SLU, sharing an environmentally certified, state-of-the-art molecular laboratory with equipment and standardized procedures for extracting DNA and RNA, manually and robotically and running quantitative and traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). There is a fully equipped bacterial diagnostics lab, as well as greenhouses, climate chambers, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry machines and more.