Impact of Pollen Nutrition on Bumble bees [Guided Independent Research]
An opportunity is available for an undergraduate researcher to assist in research examining the impact of protein in pollen on bumble bee health outcomes. Bumble bees prefer high levels of protein compared to other bees and the lab is assessing how protein levels consumed impact health outcomes of these bees. Honey bee pollen is fed to bumble bees reared for both research and agricultural pollination, however this pollen tends to be low in protein. The student would test the impacts of different protein supplements in this pollen on bumble bee health outcomes to determine if they could be of value for improving rearing success. This research would involve handling live bumble bees and would require checking in on health metrics for bumble bee microcolonies every 2-3 days. This would be an independent research project under the supervision and training of a graduate student mentor.
This would involve either a paid research experience for the summer and/or students could perform experiments this Spring (March+) for research credit.
Bumble bee use of heterogenous habitats [Independent Research]
An opportunity is available for an undergraduate researcher to perform an independent research project examining how bumble bees utilize shade during foraging and how this is impacted by temperature. The goal of this research is to assess the value of providing more heterogenous shaded habitat for bees in gardens as a reprieve during warm days. The experiments would likely involve a combination of field assays during Summer 2025 (paid experience) and controlled laboratory arena experiments that can be run during the summer or semester (Spring 2025 or Fall 2026; for research credit). PI Hines will instruct the student and help with design but the research would be led by the student. This project will involve bee handling, working in field settings, and likely will implement video technology. Summer research hours can vary from 10-40 hrs/wk depending on design and student interest. Semester availability would require a 4 or 8 hr/wk on average commitment.
Bumble bee rearing and spring pollen assays [Lab assistant]
An opportunity is available for an undergraduate to assist in collecting bumble bee queens and rearing them to assist in research examining the preferences for levels of protein in pollen diets by bumble bee species. The undergraduate would also be involved in assisting with field collection of spring pollen from bees in forested areas to better understand what plants are most important to bees in forested habitats and how forests help bees obtain optimal nutrition. This research would take place from late March – May 2025 with potential to continue into the summer. This may be for research credit or hourly pay depending on the scope and timing of the work. This opportunity may be combined with the above two opportunities.
The student should be an undergraduate pursuing a degree related to the biological sciences. Ideally the student would be interested in a potential career in research or applied conservation, although students interested in other careers in biology would be considered. Students must have the time available required of the positions as outlined above and a minimum GPA of 3.2.
Please send an email to Dr. Heather Hines (hmh19@psu.edu) stating what projects you might be interested in and why you are interested in the potential research opportunity. Ideally this would also include mention of your availability and a CV/resume of prior research experiences that includes your major and GPA. For students who are potentially a good fit based on these materials, a meeting will be set up to discuss the position and student interest further. Please contact Dr. Hines with any questions about the positions.