 | Randy Oliver Randy Oliver is a lifelong beekeeper and biologist who operates a commercial beekeeping enterprise in California with his two sons. With a formal background in biological sciences and entomology. He is the author of the renowned website "Scientific Beekeeping," where he shares evidence-based insights and practical advice to help beekeepers apply scientific principles to their practices. Randy's work focuses on integrating scientific research with hands-on beekeeping, covering topics such as Varroa mite management, bee nutrition, and selective breeding for mite resistance. His contributions have been instrumental in advancing beekeeping practices worldwide. |
 | Ali Panasiuk, Lead Inspector, Government of Alberta Ali has been working on the Bee Health Assurance Team with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation since 2007 and has been the Lead Apiculture Inspector since 2016. She is currently acting as Provincial Apiculturist. Her main role is to manage all inspections carried out by the province and ensuring beekeepers are educated and implementing correct management practices pertaining to honey bee pests and diseases. Before becoming the Lead Inspector she helped manage several hundred colonies, and assisted in numerous experiments and surveillance programs. She is very passionate about animal husbandry which originated from growing up on a farm that had many different types of livestock. Beekeeping fell naturally into her skillset so she ended up running her own colonies for many years. |
 | Gunjan Vasudeva, BeeSafe Biotech We are a team of three members: Dr Trushar Patel, Dr. Gunjan Vasudeva, and Jenna Letain (MSc)—currently, our company, BeeSafe Biotech Inc. is working on designing an on-site detection kit for viruses infecting honey bees. Canada has recently faced a massive loss of honey bee colonies, i.e., approximately 40% of their hives, and an increase in viral infections is a crucial player to this. Considering the increments in the loss of the agricultural economy due to the loss of honey bee populations to viruses, we observed a lack of a first point-of-care system, which is the proactive diagnosis also contributing to the situation. So the initial mission of Beesafe Biotech Inc, is to solve the delayed detection or diagnosis of viral infection by on-site detection kit so the beekeepers can test their hives quickly and more affordably, which will further educate them to take regulatory measurements to isolate or sanitize their hives to stop the spread of the viruses. |
 | Jenna Letain, BeeSafe Biotech We are a team of three members: Dr Trushar Patel, Dr. Gunjan Vasudeva, and Jenna Letain (MSc)—currently, our company, BeeSafe Biotech Inc. is working on designing an on-site detection kit for viruses infecting honey bees. Canada has recently faced a massive loss of honey bee colonies, i.e., approximately 40% of their hives, and an increase in viral infections is a crucial player to this. Considering the increments in the loss of the agricultural economy due to the loss of honey bee populations to viruses, we observed a lack of a first point-of-care system, which is the proactive diagnosis also contributing to the situation. So the initial mission of Beesafe Biotech Inc, is to solve the delayed detection or diagnosis of viral infection by on-site detection kit so the beekeepers can test their hives quickly and more affordably, which will further educate them to take regulatory measurements to isolate or sanitize their hives to stop the spread of the viruses. |
 | Dr.Trushar Pate, BeeSafe Biotech We are a team of three members: Dr Trushar Patel, Dr. Gunjan Vasudeva, and Jenna Letain (MSc)—currently, our company, BeeSafe Biotech Inc. is working on designing an on-site detection kit for viruses infecting honey bees. Canada has recently faced a massive loss of honey bee colonies, i.e., approximately 40% of their hives, and an increase in viral infections is a crucial player to this. Considering the increments in the loss of the agricultural economy due to the loss of honey bee populations to viruses, we observed a lack of a first point-of-care system, which is the proactive diagnosis also contributing to the situation. So the initial mission of Beesafe Biotech Inc, is to solve the delayed detection or diagnosis of viral infection by on-site detection kit so the beekeepers can test their hives quickly and more affordably, which will further educate them to take regulatory measurements to isolate or sanitize their hives to stop the spread of the viruses. |
 | Dr. Renata Labuschagne, ABC Tech Transfer Program Lead, ABC Dr. Renata Labuschagne joined the Alberta Beekeepers Commission (ABC) in 2019 as the Alberta Tech Transfer Program lead. Before joining the ABC team, Renata was a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Steve Pernal’s apiculture research lab at Beaverlodge Research Farm, Agriculture Agri-food Canada, studying the inter-correlation of several important pathogens and phenotypes, so as to better understand drivers of colony health and productivity. Renata received her Ph.D. in Entomology in 2015 from the University of Minnesota studying under Dr. Mara Spivak. Previously, she received her B.Sc. in Animal Science from the Universidade Federal of Ceara, Brazil. Renata’s doctoral research focused on evaluating: 1) the seasonal benefits of propolis (a bee-produced resinous material) on the health and immunity of honey bees; 2) the role that types of resins play as a defense against two highly infectious brood pathogens, Ascosphaera apis (a fungus causing chalkbrood disease) and Paenibacillus larvae (a bacterium causing American foulbrood disease); and 3) the effects of the propolis “envelope” within the hive as a natural defense against disease. |
 | Patricia Wolf-Veiga; Manager, National Bee Diagnostic Centre |
 | Dr. Sarah Wood, Research Chair in Pollinator Health, Associate Professor, University of Saskatchewan Dr. Sarah Wood, MSc, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Research Chair in Pollinator Health, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. As a veterinary pathologist and Research Chair in Pollinator Health, Dr. Wood’s research program focuses on optimizing the management and diagnosis of honey bee disease to enhance the health and productivity of Canadian honey bee colonies. Her specific research aims include understanding mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance of foulbrood bacteria, investigating the safety and efficacy of overwinter miticide treatments, enhancing pesticide risk assessment for honey bee drones, and improving honey bee health to ensure sustainable pollination of Canadian blueberries and canola. The outcomes of this applied research, including novel therapeutics and diagnostics for honey bee disease, will have direct, positive impacts on the health of honey bees and the crops they pollinate, with overall benefits for food security and sustainability. Moreover, Dr. Wood’s research program strengthens the relationship between veterinarians and beekeepers, fostering shared advancements in antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance of bee disease. |
 | Leilane Pulsifer, Science Communicator, BC-TTP Leilani Pulsifer is the Science Communicator for the British Columbia Technology Transfer Program. She is a graduate from the University of British Columbia, where she majored in Applied Animal Biology. Her job involves translating complex scientific information into practical language and presenting it to diverse audiences in a way that is engaging, effective, and visually pleasing. Leilani demonstrates much of her passion for science communication by creating scientific posters, video summaries of research papers, and through interviews and collaborations with other professionals in the industry. |
 | Pascal Brunner; Lifehive CEO & co-founder Pascal’s curiosity, passion and determination, make him a natural entrepreneur. Having founded his first own company at age 15, Pascal has always had a keen interest in innovation and cutting edge ideas. In his leadership role, he brings together experts with complementary skills and empowers them to achieve optimal results.At Lifehive, he has spent the last 10 years of his career dedicated to honey bees, helping beekeepers with solutions to control Varroa mites. Lifehive has been operating in Alberta since 2022. |
 | Lynae Ovinge, Buzzworthy Solutions Lynae operates Buzzworthy Solutions where she provides contract/consulting services to the beekeeping and bee research community She grew up on a mixed grain/cattle farm near Granum, Alberta, and spent her summers working on commercial beekeeping farms. Lynae worked as an Apiary Inspector for Alberta Agriculture and has a Master’s of Science studying Varroa mite management at the University of Alberta. She later spent 8 years studying honey bee health and canola pollination with Dr. Shelley Hoover, first for Alberta Agriculture at the Lethbridge Research Centre, and later at the University of Lethbridge. She has also served as the temporary lead of the Alberta Beekeepers Tech Transfer Program. Lynae is married to Tanner Ovinge and they are proud parents of Quinn (7) and Beau (3). In her spare time, Lynae enjoys reading, camping, and watching curling, golf, and NFL football. |
 | Nicole McCormick, Alberta Tech Transfer Program Lead Technician Nicole is the Lead Technician for the Alberta Beekeepers Commission’s, Tech Transfer Program (TTP), where she plays a pivotal role in supporting Alberta’s beekeeping industry. Since joining the TTP in 2020, Nicole has been instrumental in extending scientific knowledge to beekeepers, providing field and lab support for collaborative research projects, and delivering education and training programs. Nicole brings over five years of hands-on experience in the beekeeping industry, including significant work with the Colony Health Monitoring Program. She has tackled disease challenges, implemented Integrated Pest Management strategies, and supported Alberta’s beekeepers through research, education, and training. A graduate of the University of Alberta with a BSc in Animal Health, majoring in Food Animals, her passion for agriculture and animals has always been a driving force in her career. When she discovered the fascinating world of honey bees, she became deeply committed to learning about their biology and the Alberta beekeeping industry. |
 | Amy Floyd, Dalan Animal Health Amy Floyd is the Head of Beekeeper Relations at Dalan Animal Health, having worked for Dalan for 2.5 years and with the vaccine for almost 5. Prior to working for Dalan, she worked for the USDA-ARS at the honey bee research labs in Tucson, AZ and Davis, CA studying honey bee nutrition & pathogens and toxins respectively. She also has a master’s degree in Entomology and Insect Science from the University of Arizona in which she focused her studies on EFB and potential bacterial treatment options. Amy also manages her own hives that she moves between Tucson and Flagstaff, AZ. She can usually be found in Flagstaff or somewhere in the western US traveling with her dog, Miles. |
 | Dan Aurell, Auburn University Dan Aurell is a postdoctoral researcher in Geoff Williams’ lab at Auburn University (Alabama, USA). His research focuses on managing parasitic mites (Varroa and Tropilaelaps). While at Auburn, he has tested practical techniques for Varroa management and has worked in South Korea and Thailand on Tropilaelaps detection, biology, and management. Dan grew up in New Brunswick and started beekeeping on a commercial bee farm in Nova Scotia. |
 | Mingyang Sun, MSc, MB, Nature ReCombined Scences Inc. PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATION OFFICER 10 years of experience in biotechnology and the inventor of 7 patents. 10 years’ experience in biotechnology industry research. Excel in leading high-performance teams, managing projects, research & development and intellectual property development. Co-inventor on 7 U.S. and Canadian patents. |
 | Demi Meier, University of Alberta |
 | Alyssa Turnbull, University of Alberta |
 | Liz Huxter Elizabeth and Terry Huxter have contributed provincially, nationally and internationally to the beekeeping industry. Both are past presidents of the BC Honey Producers Association. Liz has been the president of the BC Bee Breeders Association several times. Liz and Terry have based their participation in the beekeeping community on the tenets of education, innovation and breeding inspired by John Corner, Harry Laidlaw, Homer Park and Bill Wilson. Terry organized the Tracheal Mite Symposium in 1990 to help beekeepers formulate policies with the best knowledge available. In 1992, Liz partnered with Kerry Clark, Provincial Apiary Specialist, to successfully breed bees resistant to the tracheal mites. As example of their innovation, Terry was the front cover beekeeper of the December 2001 issue of the Hivelights Magazine. The photo features him storing 4 way mating nucs with wintered queens in temperature controlled sheds. Elizabeth has led investigations with the BC Bee Breeders Queen Testing Program (2006-2008) searching for the most varroa mite resistant queen stock in Canada as well as, advising on breeding projects in the United States. She bred and tested bee stock for two research projects looking to identify markers for disease resistance Bee IPM and APHIS, collaborating with University of British Columbia and Agriculture and Agri -Food Canada. In 2015, she investigated the impact of sub-lethal levels of neonics on hygienic behavior collaborating with Dr. Marta Guarna and Dr. Jeff Pettis. In 2017 Elizabeth was awarded the Fred Rathje Memorial Award by the Canadian honey Council Both Terry and Liz have given numerous talks on their sustainable and integrated practices producing queens, nucs and honey. |
 | Sue Cobey Susan Cobey’s focus is enhancement of honey bee stocks and improvement of colony health through selective breeding. She founded and managed the New World Carniolan Program for 40th generations. To diversity the U.S. gene pool, she worked with the Washington State University to collect honey bee germplasm from their native European range to incorporate into U.S breeding populations. Her experience includes management of Honey Bee Research Laboratories at the University of California, Davis and the Ohio University State. She has also worked with the USDA Baton Rouge Bee Lab. Her background includes commercial queen production in FL. and CA., and founding and operating a queen production business, Vaca Valley Apiaries, in California. Currently she runs Honey Bee Insemination Service, LLC. providing training and instructional material worldwide. |
 | Marta Guarna, Project Apis m. Dr. Marta Guarna is Research Program Director of Project Apis m. (PAm), a U.S. organization that funds and directs honey bee research and initiatives focused on practical solutions for healthier bees and bee businesses. Before joining PAm, Marta held a Research Scientist position with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) leading collaborative projects on honey bee queens, environmental monitoring, and bee health and pollination. Her diverse experience includes working in the biopharmaceutical field, and she is currently an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia. Originally from Argentina, Marta has authored over 50 scientific and outreach publications, holds a Biochemistry degree from the University of Buenos Aires and completed her doctoral studies at New York University. |
 | Dani Glennie Dani is a 2nd generation beekeeper from Saskatchewan where she is currently in the process of succession on her family farm. Dani has been raising queens since she was 17yrs old. It is her favourite part of the bee season and she looks forward to it every year because it's never the same and the challenges are always changing. Dani has spent 4 years on the Sask Beekeepers Association board and 2 years on the CHC board where she was able to meet beekeepers from across North America and help to deal with the issues that affect us all. The passion in the queen raising community is contagious and she is happy to talk to any and all about their breeding experiences. |
 | Chenoa Kaufman, University of Alberta |
 | Alex Walton, University of Alberta |