Professor James C. Nieh: Food and hope: why are bees in poor health and what can we do about it?

In this presentation, Professor Nieh will share the challenges honey bees face and some hopeful solutions to protect them. Bees are essential for pollinating our food, but they are struggling because of pesticides, poor nutrition, and limited food diversity. Simple, natural solutions—like plant compounds and mushroom extracts—can help bees fight off viruses and reduce the harm caused by chemicals. A balanced diet with the right nutrients also improves their health and ability to learn. Exciting new ideas, like vaccinating queen bees, could help strengthen entire colonies. By working together, we can support bees and ensure they continue to play their vital role in our ecosystems.