As a biologist (B.Sc. Biology), agricultural scientist (M.Sc. Sustainable International Agriculture) and professional beekeeper, my current research interests focus on the health of honey bees (Apis mellifera).
I am pursuing my PhD in the BLE funded project 'Vitalbiene'. Aim of the project is a long-term improvement of honey bee health through an adapted varroa control concept. The project 'Vitalbiene' is carried out in cooperation of the Bee Institute Kirchhain (Dr. Marina Meixner) and the University of Würzburg (under the project management of Prof. Dr. Ricarda Scheiner).
In addition to the field trials and the scientific data analysis, a knowledge transfer on the effectiveness and practical feasibility of our concept will take place in parallel by means of a beekeeper network established in the project. In this way, the implementation of innovative beekeeping will in the long term contribute to an improved selection for increased defense against the Varroa mite, without increasing colony losses or reducing the honey yield.