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PhD, Research Molecular Biologist
Mike Simone-Finstrom is a Research Molecular Biologist at the USDA Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Unit in Baton Rouge, LA. He earned his PhD at University of Minnesota where he pioneered a line of research with Dr. Marla Spivak regarding how and why bees collect plant resins and use them as propolis in the hive, questions he still continues to study.
Prior to joining the USDA, he worked with Dr. David Tarpy at NC State University on topics ranging from queen quality to migratory beekeeping to social immunity. The overarching goal of all of his projects focuses on how honey bees can be made stronger, healthier and more productive using their own natural defenses and traits. His current work aims to understanding how these traits work in concert in order to promote them within the beekeeping industry and identify components of viral resistance in honey bees.
Mike's USDA website is: https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/baton-rouge-la/honeybeelab/people/mike-simone-finstrom/