Featured Entomology Graduate Student - Sharron (Ronnie) Miller
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EmailA love of bumble bees led to research connecting bumble bee communities, land management, and human interactions.
What or who inspired your interest in entomology?
I liked photographing flowers in undergrad and of course there were always bees/bugs around. I was then offered a job in a butterfly lab and later recommended to a bumble bee lab under postdoctoral researcher Dr. Sarah K. Richman. The work was on impacts of neonics and plant secondary compounds on bumble bees. I fell in love with watching the bees and knew it was my calling.
What is your favorite activity as part of your graduate studies?
My favorite thing is field work, being outside in the sun with colorful flowers and the buzzing of pollinators.
What are you researching?
Connecting bumble bee communities, land management, and human interactions.
What is your favorite activity/way to spend your time outside of your studies? Traveling, photography, working out, or water activities!
Any other thoughts about your experience in Entomology? The pandemic lockdown limited a lot of my options for grad school. I was not considering Michigan, but my lab was one of the few labs accepting new students during that time. Hindsight 20/20, joining this lab was the best decision I could have made.
Ronnie was one of the main organizers who brought back MSU Bee Palooza in Augsut 2023.
