People

Daniela grew up in Ghana where she received an undergraduate degree in Natural Resource Management with a minor in Wildlife and Range management at KNUST before relocating to the United States to join her parents. She is a multidisciplinary researcher with interests spanning agricultural biotechnology, molecular biology, wildlife science, and honeybee research. Prior to joining the program, she served as a biological science technician with the USDA-ARS Honeybee Breeding Genetics and Physiology Research Unit in Baton Rouge, where she contributed to research on honeybee health and innovative approaches to support managed pollinators, while developing laboratory operation skills. Daniela has come to appreciate the role of honeybees and pollinators in the agricultural sector and is passionate about applying her interdisciplinary research expertise in environments that advance both science and real-world solutions for their survival. She enjoys taking walks in nature, cooking, and working out.

(she/her/hers)
daniela.adjaye@wsu.edu

Kiersten Ritchie is interested in pollinators, agriculture, and honey bee reproductive biology. Kiersten received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Washington where she took an entomology course that sparked her passion for honey bees and all insects. Her PhD research in the WSU Bee Program focused on differential sperm use by honey bee queens of different subspecies. 

(she/her/hers)
kiersten.ritchie@wsu.edu

Jenifer grew up in Othello, WA. She enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, documentaries and photographing wildlife. Exploring new places brings her joy. Her passion for environmental conservation started 5 years ago and she realized that if we all work together, we can provide a sustainable future for generations to come. Jenifer is proud to be part of the honey bee research program.

(she/her/hers)
jenifer.silva@wsu.edu

Bri attended Oregon State University for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees and has strong interests in pollinators and education. She does extension and outreach about honey bees and other pollinators through seminars, workshops, bee program blogging, attending bee association meetings, and writing factsheets. She is also a part-time Ph.D. student studying the role of sociocultural and educational factors on pollinator management decisions.

(she/her/hers)
briana.price@wsu.edu

Asmita was born in Nepal and completed her undergraduate education there before moving to the United States for graduate studies. She earned her master’s degree in Entomology from Tennessee State University. She worked as a research technician at Mississippi State University, where she began working with bees and developed her research experience in bee biology. She joined Washington State University as a research technician and is currently working on PCB Lab‘s National Phenology Wheel, where she focuses on pollen identification, coordination of volunteers, and contributes to manuscript preparation. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, painting, and practicing yoga.

(she/her/hers)
asmita.gautam@wsu.edu