Kelly joined the Hopkins lab as a postdoctoral researcher in the summer of 2020. She completed her doctorate studying honey bee health and management practices in the vanEngelsdorp Bee lab at University of Maryland. Her doctoral work focused on identifying beekeeping management practices to improve colony health and survival. She also addressed obstacles to best management, including Varroa treatment effectiveness and transmission of mites between apiaries. She is excited to keep working on commercial beekeeping management practices and addressing stakeholder needs at WSU.
From her first glimpse into a thriving colony two years ago, while working for the U.S. Geological Survey in South Dakota, Kulhanek’s passion was born. She followed that passion to the University of Maryland where she completed her PhD in entomology in 2020.
“Bees are at the intersection between agriculture and people,” Kulhanek said. “In my work, I get to help bees, people, and agriculture all at the same time.”
After completing her PhD, Kulhanek travelled west to WSU’s honey bee program.
Since the 1990s, this program has been a hub for global honey bee research. In March, 2020, the program acquired the new Othello Honey Bee and Pollinator Research, Extension, and Education Facility.
The move was an epic step in furthering the group’s mission.
Today, this team includes renowned pollinator scientists, including Steve Sheppard, P. F. Thurber Endowed Professor of Pollinator Ecology in WSU’s Department of Entomology, Brandon Hopkins, Nick Naeger, and Jennifer Han.
Together, they share a vital message about honey bees and pollinators with the world.
People need honey bees. And, honey bees need people. Healthy, flourishing land is needed to support both.