Emily Remnant
I am a geneticist and evolutionary biologist investigating how insects respond to changes in their environment. I use genetics and genomics to study genes involved in resistance to chemical insecticides, and to investigate the impact of viral diseases on beneficial insects like honey bees. I use laboratory and bioinformatics techniques including next generation sequencing, metagenomics, and controlled lab experiments with insects along with field collections, to understand the molecular basis of evolution.
Email: Dr Emily Remnant
Ros Gloag
I am an evolutionary ecologist interested in understanding the processes that generate and maintain earth’s biodiversity at both macro and molecular levels. My research spans fundamental and applied biology, and aims to advance basic science in ways that also help address challenges associated with climate change, invasive species and pollinator conservation. I use field studies, molecular ecology approaches, and population genetics and genomics.
I hold an ARC DECRA Fellowship researching the genetics and ecology of Australian stingless bees (2022-2026) and USYD Robinson Fellowship (2023-2026).
Email: Dr Ros Gloag
Kenya Fernandes
I’m a microbiologist studying how microbes influence the health of our environment, pollinators, and people. My research focuses on the interactions between bees and microbes, and how these relationships affect pollinator survival, ecosystems, and food security. Honey is central to my work, both for its antimicrobial and medicinal properties and its crucial role in bee health. I’m particularly interested in our native bees, their vital role in maintaining biodiversity, and the traditional medicinal use of their honey by Indigenous communities.
Beyond the lab, I’m passionate about making science exciting and accessible to everyone. I love sharing my discoveries, engaging with the public, and raising awareness about Australia’s incredible native species. Through storytelling and outreach, I hope to inspire people to appreciate and protect our rich biodiversity.
I hold an ARC DECRA Fellowship researching interactions between fungi and bees (2025-2028).
See my personal website here
Email: Dr Kenya Fernandes
Postgraduate Research Students
James Damayo
Project: Diverse antiviral RNA interference pathways reveal the host-specificity of viruses in Varroa destructor and Apis mellifera
Supervisors: Emily Remnant, Alyson Ashe
James’ project focuses on using RNA interference (RNAi) to identify the host specificity of replicating viruses in the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, and its honey bee host, Apis mellifera. He also is investigating the molecular mechanisms of Varroa destructor‘s antiviral immune system with RNAi knockdowns.
James completed his Honours with the BEE lab in 2022, where his thesis identified replicating viruses in Varroa with RNAi (paper here).
Email: James Damayo
Genevieve Law
Project: Mitonuclear incompatibilities in Australian stingless bees
Supervisors: Ros Gloag, Nathan Lo, James Hereward (UQ)
Genevieve’s project investigates whether the theory of mitonuclear coevolution can help explain patterns of speciation and genetic divergence in Australian stingless bees.
Genevieve completed her Honours with the BEE Lab in 2022, where her thesis resolved the population genetic structure of the Australian bee Tetragonula hockingsi (paper here).
Email: Geneveive Law
Rebecca McKee
Project: The role of miRNA in the biology and development of the honey bee mite Varroa destructor
Supervisors: Emily Remnant, Alyson Ashe
Rebecca’s project investigates the relationship between honey bees and Varroa and the roles that parasite miRNAs can play in host manipulation for parasite advantage. She will also investigate the function of Varroa miRNAs and whether they may be candidate targets for Varroa control.
She completed her Honours project in 2022 with the BEE Lab, characterising the miRNAs (short RNA regulators of gene expression) of Varroa destructor.
Email: Rebecca McKee
Georgie Brennan
Project: The evolutionary ecology of generalist pollination systems in Australian native flora
Supervisors: Ros Gloag, Thomas White
Georgie’s project investigates how the behaviour of diverse animals on flowers, including interactions between different flower-visiting species, can impact pollination.
She completed her Honours project in 2023 with the BEE Lab, demonstrating that male stingless bees are effective vectors of pollen.
Email: Georgie Brennan
Jasmin Li
Project: The beneficial relationship between fungi and Australian stingless bees
Supervisors: Kenya Fernandes, Ros Gloag, Erin Shanahan
Jasmin’s project investigates the different ways in which Australian native bees interact with fungi and the consequences for bee health.
She completed her Honours project under the supervision of Kenya Fernandes, Ros Gloag and Dee Carter in 2023, where she revealed the antimicrobial properties of propolis and honey of the Australian stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria.
Email: Jasmin Li
Honours and Undergraduate Students
Reilly Seet
Reilly is an undergraduate Honours student under the supervision of Ros Gloag and Nathan Lo. They are studying the life history and distribution of the parasitoid wasp Syntretus trigonaphagus and the behavioural impact they have on their stingless bee host species, Tetragonula carbonaria.
Email: Reilly Seet
Ana Pantoja
Ana is an undergraduate Honours student under the supervision of Ros Gloag and Kenya Fernandes. She is studying the impacts of mites on the health of colonies of the stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria.
Email: Ana Pantoja
Emeritus and Affiliates
Nadine Chapman
I am passionate about bees and working with the beekeeping industry on applied projects. I co-lead Plan Bee, Australia’s honey bee genetic improvement program, bringing modern animal breeding methods to the beekeeping industry so that we can have healthier more productive bees, which is imperative for a sustainable honey bee industry and the more than 35 industries that depend upon them for pollination. This is particularly the case now that varroa is in Australia. Breeding is an essential part of integrated pest management and a sustainable way forward for resilient beekeeping in the face of varroa. As a keen science communicator I co-lead the extensionAUS Professional Beekeepers Community of Practice and avidly write articles for that website and manage their social media channels.
Madeleine Beekman
Professor Emerita
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Email: Prof Madeleine Beekman
BEE Lab Alumni
HDR students (since 2020)
- Elizabeth Cansdale, 2024.
- Inez Vlasich-Brennan, 2023. Thermal biology of Australian native stingless bees (Tetragonula sp.).
- Thomas Hagan, 2022. Evolution and ecology of invasive honey bees.
- Francisco Garcia Bulle Bueno, 2021. Native bees as alternative crop pollinators: Reproductive behaviour of Tetragonula carbonaria.
- Amanda Norton, 2021. Disentangling the Relationship Between Deformed wing virus, the Honey Bee Host (Apis mellifera) and the Viral Vector, the Ectoparasitic Mite Varroa destructor.
Honours students. See also above for details of Honours students that continued on to graduate projects.
- Charlotte Ling, 2024. Prevalence and behaviour of mites in nests of the stingless bee Tetrgaonula carbonaria.
- Shelley Young, 2024.
- Rui Shi, 2024.
- Aran Kathir, 2023. Quantifying the factors affecting Apis mellifera health in Varroa-free NSW apiaries.
- Morgan Kelly, 2022. Viral dynamics in the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) during a novel Varroa incursion.
- Estella Xia, 2022. Queen turnover, nest usurpation and colony mortality in wild nests of the stingless bees Tetragonula carbonaria and Tetragonula hockingsi.
- Malan Bothma, 2022. Investigating the mechanisms underlying the global rise of deformed wing virus, genotype B, in western honey bees (Apis mellifera)
- Grace Paul, 2020. Shifting range in a stingless bee leads to pre-mating reproductive interference between species (paper).
- Louisa Bartels, 2019. Reproductive interference between sister species of Australian stingless bee: Tetragonula carbonaria and Tetragonula hockingsi (paper).
- Melody Sun, 2019. Mitochondrial diversity in invasive populations of the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana (paper)
Mascots
As well as HDR and Honours students, the BEE Lab supports a suite of freshwater crustaceans. At the centre of this dynamic ecosystem lives our lab mascot, the common yabby (Cherax destructor): Horatio Mysterio Everdeen-Brennan. Horatio lives alongside more than 30 Caridina sp. shrimp and several unidentified snails on Georgie’s desk. He commands the open-plan office with his mysterious personality.