Dr. Jamie Ellis
Gahan Endowed Professor
Honey Bee Husbandry, Ecology, and Conservation
Integrated Crop Pollination
Dr. Ellis is the Gahan Endowed Professor of Entomology in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida. At the University of Florida, Dr. Ellis has responsibilities in extension, instruction and research related to honey bees. Regarding his extension work, Dr. Ellis created the UF, South Florida, and Caribbean Bee Colleges, and the UF Master Beekeeper Program. As an instructor, Dr. Ellis supervises Ph.D. and masters students in addition to offering an online course in apiculture. Dr. Ellis and his team conduct research projects in the fields of honey bee husbandry, conservation and ecology, and integrated crop pollination.
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Research
Our research on bees is divided between three emphases. In the first emphasis, we work to improve managed honey bee health by conducting research projects focused on honey bee husbandry, including honey bee colony disease/pest management, nutrition, and toxicology. Second, we attempt to understand wild honey bee ecology and genetic diversity/structure in an effort to sustain honey bee populations through informed conservation efforts. Third, we maintain an active research program focused on integrated crop pollination though which we investigate native pollinator ecology and management while improving crop pollination and ecosystem services.
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Teaching
Visiting scholars, postdoctoral research associates, undergraduate students, and graduate students are mentored/trained in many areas related to honey bee and wild bee research, extension, and instruction. Our instruction efforts ensure a legacy of academic interest in enhancing the sustainability of managed and wild bee populations and the agricultural/natural communities both support.
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Extension
We communicate the findings from our research programs to various targeted audiences via three multifaceted extension programs. In the first program, we work to improve the sustainability of beekeeping by recruiting and training new beekeepers and providing cutting-edge educational opportunities for seasoned beekeepers, both domestically and internationally. We also invest in educational efforts aimed at helping growers improve crop productivity by adopting and implementing integrated crop pollination practices. Finally, we serve as a source of bee-related information for people from all around the world and from all walks of life.
Contact
Building 964 room 116
1881 Natural Area Dr.
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 273-3924
jdellis@ufl.edu
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Education
- 2004, Ph.D. in Entomology, Rhodes University, South Africa
- 2000, B.S. in Biology, University of Georgia
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Employment
- July 2012 – Present, Associate Professor of Entomology, University of Florida, Department of Entomology and Nematology
- August 2006 - June 2012, Assistant Professor of Entomology, University of Florida, Department of Entomology and Nematology
- March 2004 - July 2006, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Georgia, Department of Entomology
- EDIS Publications
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Ellis Laboratory Mission Statement
The mission of the Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (HBREL) is to advance our understanding of managed honey bees and wild bees in Florida, the U.S., and globally, with a goal of improving the health and productivity of bee pollinators everywhere. We address this goal by conducting basic and applied research projects on bees, communicating our findings to assorted clientele groups through diverse extension programming, and training future generations of bee educators, researchers, conservationists, and more.