Bee Center Team | College of Agriculture

Faculty

Associate Professor & Bee Center Director

Dr. Geoff Williams is an Associate Professor at Auburn University (USA), where he directs the university’s Bee Center. Geoff received an undergraduate degree in animal biology at the University of Alberta (Canada), and then studied Nosema ceranae biology and management for his Ph.D. at Dalhousie University (Canada). He then jumped across the Atlantic to work on honey bee pesticide-parasite interactions and tropilaelaps mites at the University of Bern (Switzerland) and Chiang Mai University (Thailand) for six years as a research scientist. Geoff joined Auburn in late 2016; his work is mainly focused on varroa and tropilaelaps biology and management. He is currently an Executive Committee member of the global honey bee association COLOSS, an apiculture subject editor for the Journal of Economic Entomology, and coordinator of the U.S. Beekeeping Survey. His efforts have been recognized by several groups, including the American and Canadian associations of professional apiculturalists, as well as the Apiary Inspectors of America.

Anthony Abbate

Assistant Research Professor (Pollination Ecology & Conservation)

Dr. Anthony Abbate is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. His research is broadly focused on insect pollinator conservation, with an emphasis on how human-driven disturbances shape native bee communities in the southeastern United States. His interests include evaluating the pollination requirements of native wildflowers and specialty crops, assessing the impacts of tillage on ground-nesting bees, exploring how invasive plant species and land management practices influence biodiversity, and how forest management techniques influence native bees. Dr. Abbate holds a Master’s degree in Entomology from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in Entomology from Auburn University; he also attended The Bee Course in Portal, AZ, and The Midwest Bee Course in St. Louis, MO.

Selina Bruckner

Assistant Extension Professor (Honey Bee Extension and Research)

(334) 329-2675

Dr. Selina Bruckner is an Assistant Extension Professor at Auburn University, serving as the Apiculture Specialist for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. In her role, she conducts applied honey bee research on sustainable colony management practices and provides state-wide educational programs for beekeepers.

Staff

Zachary Beneduci

Technician (Native Bees)

Zach completed his B.Sc in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Maine before completing his M.Sc in Entomology at Auburn University. Currently, he works as a technician supporting research on native bee community ecology and conservation.

Kristen De La Fuente

Lab Manager

Ms. De La Fuente graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Biology. She managed a plant pathology research lab for several years prior to joining the Auburn community in 2008. She has been the lab manager for the Bee Center since February 2019, overseeing administrative aspects of the day-to-day activities of the Bee Center. Her main responsibilities include grant administration, support of scientific and technical personnel, and organization of various Bee Center professional meetings and events.

Noah Crockette

Outreach and Development Coordinator (Honey Bees)

Noah studied entomology at Cornell University and is interested in public science outreach and education. He coordinates outreach requests such as lab tours, outreach booths, and classroom/community group visits. Noah also organizes special events and fundraisers for the Auburn University Bee Center.

Anthony Cuminale

Research Assistant III (Native Bees)

Anthony Cuminale completed his B.S. in Biology at the University of Central Florida before earning his M.S. in Entomology at Auburn University. He specializes in the taxonomy and ecology of native bees and aculeate wasps, supporting research on biodiversity and conservation. Currently, he works as a technician supporting research initiatives focused on pollinator communities.

Rachel Jacobsen

Technician (Honey Bees)

Rachel Jacobsen studied Organismal Biology at Auburn University and has worked with the Auburn University Bee Center since 2019 in a variety of roles. She supports honey bee and small hive beetle research, contributes to outreach efforts, and assists with honey fundraising initiatives.

Dylan Mahalko

Research Assistant II (Native Bees)

Dylan Mahalko currently serves as the lead technician for the native bee side of the Bee Center. He received his B.S. in Wildlife Science from SUNY ESF, before receiving his M.S. in Biology from Bowling Green State University. He completed a thesis on cavity-nesting bee diversity in agricultural towns, spurring a continued interest in topics relating to the intersection of landscape ecology and pollinator conservation.

Frank Schellace

Research Assistant III (Honey Bees)

Frank Schellace studied Environmental Sociology at Brooklyn College, and in 2024 completed the Master Beekeeper Program with Cornell University. He is part of the honey bee research team at Auburn University, where he supports colony management and prepares hives for research trials. He also leads video production efforts for educational content and research updates on the Auburn University Bee Center YouTube channel.

Amy Weeks

Research Associate I (Honey Bees)

Amy Weeks studied Education at Southeast Missouri State University and in 2024 completed her MSc in Biodiversity, Wildlife, and Ecosystem Health at the University of Edinburgh. In 2014 she attained Master Craftsman Beekeeper from Young Harris Beekeeping Institute. She is responsible for leading the honeybee team in colony management and preparation for research. She is also involved in honeybee queen rearing, education, and international development.

Post-docs & Visiting Scientists

Dan Aurell

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Honey Bees)

Email Dan

Léna Barascou

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Honey Bees)

Email Léna

Agostina Giacobino

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Honey Bees)

Email Agostina

Brandon Shannon

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Honey Bees)

Email Brandon

Graduate Students

Skyler Demi

Graduate Research Assistant (Honey Bees)

Email Skyler

Benedict DeMoras

Graduate Research Assistant (Honey Bees)

Email Benedict

Smith Easton

Graduate Research Assistant (Honey Bees)

Email Smith

Sara Kirby

Graduate Research Assistant (Native Bees)

Email Sara

Madelyn Thompson

Graduate Research Assistant (Native Bees)

Email Madelyn

Jennifer Standley

Graduate Research Assistant (Honey Bees)

Email Jennifer

Current Undergraduate Technicians

ALLISON GONZALEZ

Major: Agricultural Science
Email: amg0241@auburn.edu

BLAKE GRIFFIN

Major: Biological & Agricultural Technology Management
Email: cbg0031@auburn.edu

DILLON HAMMELL

Major: Microbiology
Email: dmh0061@auburn.edu

DYLAN HEARD

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Email: djh0069@auburn.edu

MG HUNT

Major: Environmental Conservation & Management
Email: mih0007@auburn.edu

CAROLINA RODRIGUEZ QUINONES

Major: Wildlife Ecology & Management with a minor in Tropical Conservation & Sustainable Development
Email: cvr0008@auburn.edu

ALEX SMITH

Major: Biosystems Engineering
Email: acs0238@auburn.edu

EVAN SMITH

Major: Wildlife Ecology & Management
Email: eds0050@auburn.edu

MV STEPHENS

Major: Genetics
Email: mvs0016@auburn.edu

TAYLOR HUBBARD

Major: Environmental Conservation & Management
Email: tbh0044@auburn.edu

JON PICKETT

Major: Biological & Agricultural Technology Management
Email: jmp0156@auburn.edu

Alumni

SULEYMAN ALPARSLAN

Master’s Student, graduated 2021

CHRISTIAN BAKER

Master’s Student, graduated 2020

DR. JOSH CAMPBELL

Postdoctoral Fellow
Current position: Research Ecologist at USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory
Email: joshua.campbell@usda.gov

WINDI SANCHEZ SOLER

Master’s Student, graduated 2020

DR. ROGAN TOKACH

Doctoral Student, graduated 2025
Current position: Assistant Professor – Applied Honey Bee Entomology at North Dakota State University
Email: rogan.tokach@ndsu.edu

Looking to purchase honey or merch?

AU-BEES Store