I hope everyone had an amazing summer and that you are all off to a great start to the fall season!

During July and August, I had the amazing opportunity to conduct honey bee research at MIT as part of the Research Science Institute | Center for Excellence in Education. I studied native plant forage and its effect on the overwintering survival of honey bees. I also had the opportunity to investigate the effect of natural disasters on honey bee forage. My research experience culminated in a presentation to the faculty at MIT, Harvard and Nobel Laureates.

Upon my return from Cambridge, I had another amazing honey harvest at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Bee Yard in Cream Ridge in honor of National Honey Bee Day! 4-H Teens from multiple counties throughout NJ participated in hive and laboratory instruction. I was also honored with the 2023 International Young Eco Hero Award. The day’s exciting events culminated in a honey extraction and all participants were able to harvest and bring home their own jar of honey!

In celebration of World Bee Day on August 19, 2023 , I invited  NJ News 12 to my hives at Jakes Branch County Park in Beachwood, NJ. I was interviewed by Brian Donohue to raise awareness about the honey bees' pivotal role in our ecosystem and food supply.