Dr. Wu-Smart received her BS in Zoology from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. She received her MS in Entomology from Washington State University under the advisement of Drs. Walter Sheppard and Carol Anelli. Her MS research examined the effects of pesticide residue accumulation in brood comb on honey bee health. She continued into a PhD program under Dr. Marla Spivak at the University of Minnesota where she examined the effects of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides on honey bee and bumblebee queens and colony development. She is currently an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). In her role at UNL, Judy is developing a pollinator health program to help understand the underlying stressors of honey bee health and interactions with environmental toxicants. Her research program explores different ways to promote sustainability and resilience in pollinator ecosystems. She also dedicates much of her time with outreach and extension programs to educate about the importance of conservation and biodiversity, to promote land management practices the support healthy bee communities in agro ecosystems and to improve beekeeping practices. Her goal is to integrate her research, extension and outreach efforts with policy to inform the regulatory decision making process by identifying risk mitigation opportunities and best management practices that will better protect beneficial pollinators in agricultural and urban landscapes.
Dr. Caron is Emeritus Professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware and Affiliate Professor, Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University. He retired from the University of Delaware in 2009 and moved to Portland, Oregon to be closer to his grandchildren. Dewey remains active in bee education, writing for newsletters, giving Bee Short Courses, assisting in several Master beekeeper programs ( he is scheduled to jury an NC Master Craftsman candidate in March) and giving presentations to local, state and regional bee clubs. Dewey represents WAS on Honey Bee Health Coalition and is the author of HBHC Tools for Varroa Management and BMP’s. He is the author of Honey Bee Biology & Beekeeping, a major textbook used in University and Association bee courses and has a new book due to be published this summer. He has been active for many years in EAS, serving as program co-chair in SC 2019 and program advisor for 2020 EAS in Maine.