‘Bee doctors’ work to prevent colony collapse nets public service award

When a bee gets sick, it can’t necessarily social distance.

“I like to think of it as a system, as a factory of sorts, with 30,000-40,000 bees crowded…just on top of each other, feeding each other and all that stuff. So they're really exposed to each other. They pick up disease from each other readily,” said Jay D. Evans, a lead scientist at the Agriculture Department’s Agricultural Research Service. 

Evans said bees’ immune systems can suppress viruses to an extent, but added stresses like pesticides or the winter season can ultimately lead to bee colonies collapsing.  

That’s where Evans and his colleague of more than 20 years Yan Ping (Judy) Chen come in. 

Chen, a research leader at the Agricultural Research Service, described herself and Evans as “bee doctors” 

“We focus on bee diseases. We develop novel methods for disease diagnosis and treatment,” she said. 

In fact, they were the first to report the presence of a certain parasite in the U.S. honeybee population and are currently developing treatments for it. They also came up with “bee detox technology” to help bees sickened by pesticides. 

Their work to protect bees, which pollinate $15 billion worth of crops in the U.S. annually, earned the research duo the People’s Choice Award as part of the Partnership for Public Service’s 2024 Service to America Medals. 

Nicknamed the Sammies after Samuel J. Heyman, who founded the nonpartisan organization, the program honors excellence and innovation in the career federal service. Out of 25 Sammies finalists, the public voted for Chen and Evans to receive the People’s Choice Award. 

“I feel this award reflects the shared concern for the wellbeing of honeybees in society,” Chen said. 

Evans recalled that Chen told him about their win. 

“Judy sent me a text and said, ‘Check your email! Check your email!’ And I don't think anyone cut loose at that point because it was two in the afternoon,” he said. 

Elizabeth Hill, a research coordinator in the USDA Office of the Chief Scientist, told the Partnership for Public Service that Chen and Evans are “absolutely at the forefront and recognized as leaders in their field.” 

“Their work in identifying and treating these viruses is vital for maintaining a healthy and nutritious food supply,” she said. 

Chen decided she wanted to work for USDA after having the opportunity to collaborate with department scientists while getting her PhD. 

“The working environment was dynamic, offering a unique opportunity to work on a project that could benefit a community and create a positive impact on society,” she said. “That's how I found it — extremely appealing and inspiring.”

Despite initially studying ants, Evans knew he wanted to work on bees. 

“I had visited a beehive just after graduate school with a student beekeeper, and I loved it. And I said, ‘I want to do this. How do I do this?’...And then I was lucky enough 25 years ago that USDA had an opening,” he said. 

Chen said that she and Evans “help beekeepers improve bee health and productivity and strengthen the beekeeping industry.”  

For example, their team, which is based in the agricultural research center in Beltsville, Md., diagnoses sick bees. Essentially, a beekeeper will send diseased bees to their lab to determine what the problem is to reduce infections. 

“Every time we avoid an outbreak like that, it's certainly very impactful for the beekeepers in a county, but it could also be tens or more of thousands of dollars just in saving bees and equipment,” Evans said.  

The Sammies have five categories: Career Achievement; Emerging Leaders; Management Excellence; Safety, Security and International Affairs; Science, Technology and Environment. Winners will be selected by a committee of leaders in business and government. 

Chen and Evans could pick up another Sammie, as they are still eligible in the Science, Technology and Environment category. The two of them said they’ve known another finalist in their category, Tara McHugh, for 25 years. 

McHugh is the director of the Pacific West Area for the Agricultural Research Service and as the “Willy Wonka of healthy food” helped to develop new healthy food products that reduce food waste. Products launched with her lab’s assistance have led to the creation of 10 companies, including many in rural areas. 

As one might expect, both Chen and Evans really love bees. 

“They are incredible creatures! I like the social system. Honeybees are social insects; they work collaboratively,” Chen said, noting bee colonies can repel invaders. 

Relevant to their work, Evans said bees possess hygienic behaviors. 

“This is kind of tragic, but they nurse each other. And if one of the bees is dead or dying, they'll actually kill her and bring her out of the hive,” he said. “So it's a little brutal looking, but it helps to keep the level of disease down. You won't see that in a caterpillar or a beetle or other insects.”