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Mikheyev Group - Evolutionary genomics
Bee projects
Australian bee observation network (ABON)
Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are parasites that have decimated honey bee populations around the world. Much of our work has involved using the mite-bee relationship to study fundamental processes in evolution, particularly host-pathogen dynamics. These mites were discovered in Australia in 2022 and have now become established. By being the last continent to be invaded, Australia has a unique opportunity to study the impacts of Varroa on honey bees and coevolution between hosts and pathogens more generally. We have launched a citizen science campaign to collect data on honey bees before and after Varroa. You can find more information on the ANU College of Science website.
Funded Ph.D. positions to study bees
We have two funded Ph.D. projects available via the CSIRO iPhD program, which come with a generous stipend and research funds. One of the projects involves data analysis from the ABON project, and the other aims to breed native stingless bees to become better pollinators. If you are an Australian/New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, please contact Sasha Alexander Mikheyev.
Other projects
Lord Howe Island stick insect conservation
Working together with Zoos Victoria, we have been engaged in key genetic work on the conservation of the Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis), a critically endangered animal that was exterminated on its home island by rats. It now exists in captivity and on a tiny outcrop near Lord Howe Island. Recently, the rats have been exterminated and there are exciting opportunities to reintroduce the stick insects back to their native habitat.
FRT Scholar
Research Assistant
Divisional Visitors
Honours Student
Masters Student
PhD Students
Professor
Research Officer
Technical Assistant
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Domesticating Australian native bees for use as alternative pollinators | Current |
| Evolution of Varroa tolerance in feral honey bees | Current |
You can see our publications Google Scholar.
As Varroa spreads, now is the time to fight for Australia’s honey bees – and you can help
Australia is in a unique position to eliminate the bee-killing Varroa mite. Here’s what happens if we don’t
Big brains bring change: Inside the social life of spiders
Summer Research Scholar Peiyu Yuan asks "What happened to the Rocky Mountain locust?"
Sasha Mikheyev
E&E Seminar: Importance of careful and systematic observations in basic and applied research
E&E PhD Exit Seminar: Evolution and ecology of the critically endangered Dryococelus australis in captivity
At the origin of a global invasion: the honey bee parasite Varroa that keeps on jumping
Varroa mites are ectoparasites infesting honeybee colonies and originally found only in Asia.
