“....Dr. Samuel Ramsey is changing the world of science with his brilliant research on what’s killing honeybees and trademark wit when it comes to communicating complex subjects to non-scientists.”
- Audobon Naturalist Society
Publications
Ramsey, S., Gulbronson, C.J., Mowery, J., Ochoa, R. and Bauchan, G., 2018. A multi-microscopy approach to discover the feeding site and host tissue consumed by Varroa destructor on host honey bees. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 24(S1), pp.1258-1259.
Ramsey S, vanEngelsdorp D. (2016) “Varroa destructor: Beekeeping Public Enemy Number One.” Journal of Beekeeping/Aricilik Dergisi 16(1): 1-4
Ramsey, S.D., Ochoa, R., Bauchan, G., Gulbronson, C., Mowery, J.D., Cohen, A., Lim, D., Joklik, J., Cicero, J.M., Ellis, J.D. and Hawthorne, D., 2019. Varroa destructor feeds primarily on honey bee fat body tissue and not hemolymph. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(5), pp.1792-1801.
Ramsey, S. and Losey, J.E., 2012. Why is Harmonia axyridis the culprit in coccinellid biting incidents? An analysis of means, motive, and opportunity. American Entomologist, 58(3), pp.166-170.
Chantawannakul, P., Ramsey, S., Khongphinitbunjong, K. and Phokasem, P., 2018. Tropilaelaps mite: an emerging threat to European honey bee. Current opinion in insect science, 26, pp.69-75.
Losey, J., Perlman, J., Kopco, J., Ramsey, S., Hesler, L., Evans, E., Allee, L. and Smyth, R., 2012. Potential causes and consequences of decreased body size in field populations of Coccinella novemnotata. Biological Control, 61(1), pp.98-103.
Neumann P, Williams G, Chantawannakul P, Ramsey S. (2017) “Chapter 9: Conclusions and Future Perspectives.” Asian Beekeeping in the 21st Century pp. 154-159
Khaliunaa Tsevegmid, Selenge Dooshin, Ramsey S. (2017) “Chapter 6: Beekeeping in Mongolia.” Asian Beekeeping in the 21st Century pp. 94-109
Current Initiatives
Some of my current research priorities include:
Tracking and Stopping Tropilaelaps. Tiny mites. Enormous consequences. Tropilaelaps parasites can devastate honey bee colonies, and their expanding range makes preparation urgent. My team studies how these mites survive, reproduce, and spread—then uses that knowledge to develop faster diagnostic tools and test treatments that target the mites while protecting the bees. Working where infestations already occur helps us support affected beekeepers and prepare communities facing this emerging threat.
Interrupting Varroa’s Protein Theft. What if we could stop a parasite by cutting off the stolen resources it needs to reproduce? Our research investigates kleptocytosis: the process through which Varroa mites acquire proteins from honey bees and transfer them into their own eggs. We’re working to understand how this biological theft happens, which proteins matter most, and whether disrupting the process could offer a new way to protect colonies.
Decoding Honey Bee Diversity. There’s more than one species of honey bee—and each has an evolutionary story to tell. Through the Honey Bee-nome Project, we’re working to sequence the genomes of every living honey bee species, alongside their parasites and pathogens. These genetic resources can help us investigate how bees defend themselves, how parasites adapt to new hosts, and what the diversity of wild honey bees can teach us about protecting pollinators.
Preventing the Next Pollinator Pandemic. Protecting bees means looking beyond the threats we already know. Through international field research and the Global Bee Research Collective, we’re building an early-warning approach to pollinator health: documenting parasites and pathogens, investigating their potential to move between host species, and developing tools to detect emerging problems. The goal is to identify threats early enough for communities to act before they become widespread crises.
Equipping the Scientists Closest to Emerging Threats. Lasting pollinator protection depends on local expertise and resources to put it into action. I’m working with international partners to expand access to research equipment, diagnostic tools, training, and laboratory capacity. By strengthening a connected network of researchers and beekeepers, we can support sustained monitoring, faster answers, and locally informed responses to threats to bee health.
Turning Discovery into Public Understanding. Research can do more when people can understand it, connect with it, and put it to use. Through my discovery-to-documentary approach, I’m bringing audiences into the scientific process—from field expeditions to the discoveries unfolding in our lab. By combining compelling storytelling, accessible educational resources, and student training in science communication, we’re helping beekeepers, communities, and future scientists turn curiosity into informed action for pollinators.
Please click below to learn more about how you can support my research. Protecting our pollinators is a team effort!
My Research: Where I’ve Been
Explore the map below to see where my team has been…and where we want to go next!