Léna Barascou - profile information
More information about Léna Barascou
- Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Honey Bees)
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology
Short Bio
I am a passionate ecotoxicologist specializing in honey bee health, pesticide risk assessment, and sustainable agriculture. With a Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences and postdoctoral experiences in the U.S. and Europe, I focus on understanding the environmental impacts of pesticides on pollinators and advancing agroecological strategies for pest control. Currently, as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Auburn University, I am engaged in performing research on the honey bee parasitic mites Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps mercedesae. Both are devasting parasites to honey bees – Varroa mites are the primary cause of honey bee colony death in the United States, whereas Tropilaelaps are a main cause of honey bee colony death throughout Asia. The latter Tropilaelaps mites have recently spread into eastern Europe, therefore it is urgent to fill important knowledge gaps so that U.S. government agencies and beekeepers can be properly prepared for its future arrival. For both mites, I contribute to field experiments to better understand and to improve how they can be managed. I also have a strong commitment to science education, having taught toxicology and mentored students in environmental science. My work is driven by a dedication to bridging research and policy to safeguard pollinators and promote sustainable farming practices. Key Skills: Ecotoxicology, Honey Bee Health, Pest Management, Agroecology, Pesticide Risk Assessment, Data Analysis (R), Scientific Communication.More bio information
Education
Ph.D.University of Avignon, FRANCE2019-2022
Master degreeUniversity of Rennes 1, FRANCE2016-2018
Bachelor DegreeUniversity of Poitiers, FRANCE2013-2016
Professional Experience
My academic and professional training reflects a progressive specialization in ecology, entomology, and applied honey bee research. I earned a PhD in Agricultural Sciences with a focus on honey bee ecotoxicology, followed by qualification as Associate Professor in France (sections 67 and 68: population, ecosystem, and organismal biology).My education includes advanced training in biodiversity, functional and evolutionary ecology, and organismal biology, complemented by rigorous preparatory coursework in life sciences. Professionally, I have held postdoctoral and research scientist positions in France and the United States, developing strong expertise in experimental design, field and laboratory approaches, and applied research on honey bee health and pest management within agricultural and ecological systems.
Research
My initial research focused on agro-ecology, in the context of biological control by conservation. First, I studied the behavior of natural enemies, such as parasitoids, by looking at their choice between laying eggs and feeding on a flower according to their physiological state (mating and / or degree of starvation) and the quality of the nutritive resource. This experiment was part of a project where the use of flower strips near wheat crops were sued for biological control and the aim was to understand if female parasitoids could decide to leave the field where their hosts are located or to go to the flower strips containing the nutritive resource (flower nectar).In other research projects, I studied the effectiveness of agroecological infrastructures for controlling pests, such as aphids, in agricultural crops. I had to participate in field sessions to sample predators and pests and identify them to species. For my PhD, I focused specifically on contributions to a better assessment of pesticide toxicity in honeybees (Apis mellifera). In order to better assess the toxicity of pesticides on honeybees, I was studying the factors of variability of bee responses to pesticides through the behavioral castes of bees and the nutritional availability and quality of pollen. I did a postdoc at University of Florida where I studied the non-target impacts of pesticides on honey bees through toxicity tests. I was looking at the mosquito control products since in Florida, lot of spray treatment are necessary to minimize the risk of vector-borne diseases to humans and animals.
In addition to study the toxicity of these products through different ways of exposure (oral, topical, acute and chronic exposure), I looked at the gene expression levels of bees after an exposure to pesticides (immunity genes, detoxification genes). At Auburn University, I am performing research on the honey bee parasitic mites Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps mercedesae. Both are devasting parasites to honey bees – Varroa mites are the primary cause of honey bee colony death in the United States, whereas Tropilaelaps are a main cause of honey bee colony death throughout Asia. The latter Tropilaelaps mites have recently spread into eastern Europe, therefore it is urgent to fill important knowledge gaps so that U.S. government agencies and beekeepers can be properly prepared for its future arrival. For both mites, I contribute to field experiments to better understand and to improve how they can be managed. For Tropilaelaps, I am doing field work in Thailand where the mite is present.
Extension Experience
I have extensive outreach experience through scientific oral communications at international and national conferences, poster presentations, and extension activities. I have presented my research at major international meetings such as Apimondia, EurBee, the American Bee Research Conference, and EU IUSSI symposia, communicating findings on pesticide risk assessment, mosquito control product toxicity, nutrition–pesticide interactions, and emerging honey bee pests. At the national level, I have regularly engaged with diverse audiences including researchers, mosquito control professionals, and beekeepers through conferences, workshops, and extension events across the U.S. and Europe. In addition, I have contributed poster presentations highlighting applied field and laboratory research, including work on Tropilaelaps mite management and non-target effects of mosquito control practices. My outreach efforts also include extension talks, beekeeper training programs, and public science events aimed at translating scientific results into practical recommendations for stakeholders and increasing public awareness of pollinator health.Teaching and Scientific Management
In 2022-2023, I co-supervised master's degree students and bachelor's degree students during my first postdoc in France to carry out some of my experiments as part of the research project realted to the evaluation of the effectiveness of agroecological infrastructures to reinforce biological control of aphid vectors of beet yellows.I taught them how to follow a protocol, analyze the results and write reports. I provided an overview of the bee world to kids grades 2-4 in an elementary school. It was an interactive class where I talked about the importance of pollinators, the different species of bees in France and the beekeeping world.
In 2019, during my PhD, I provided weekly lectures for 2 months to 60 master’s students on topic related to toxicology, through the honey bee model. Through this course, I taught about scientific publication and how to read, understand and write scientific publication.
