Mount Holyoke Scholar Researches Bee Medicine

Yeslee Neris, a Posse Miami Scholar currently attending Mount Holyoke College, conducted vital research to save bees this past summer. As part of an undergraduate program funded by the USDA at North Carolina State University, Yeslee explored the efficacy of life-saving antibiotic medications for bees under various temperatures and light conditions.

“It was a life-changing experience,” says Yeslee. “I’ve always loved biology, but this experience solidified my love of research and my love of bees. I used to be afraid of bees, but now I’m so comfortable around them.”

Students were allowed to work independently in the lab and learn beekeeping skills while caring for the hives. They presented their findings at a beekeeping conference afterwards, giving them a peek into the world of professional research.

Posse gives me courage. My Posse never fails to make me feel supported and connected to other people.

“When you see a queen bee for the first time, your life changes. Bees fascinate me because they’re so small, but they do so much and all work together,” Yeslee said, explaining further how honeybees pollinate many of our crops and create products like honey and beeswax.

Yeslee felt very supported by her peers and lab managers, saying it reminded her of Posse’s welcoming culture. She advocated for herself to ensure she could fully participate in the experience:

“The beekeeping suits they provided were too big for me to really feel safe around the bees. I drummed up the courage to ask the head of the lab for a beekeeping suit in my size, and she was completely understanding.”

As the only Black student in her cohort, Yeslee added a diverse perspective to the program.

“Diversity in STEM is so important to me,” she says. “Attending the beekeeping conference really made me realize how underrepresented women and people of color are in STEM.”

Now back on campus, Yeslee is starting a beekeeping club at Mount Holyoke, gauging students’ interest and reaching out to faculty. She is currently in her junior year studying biology and plans to apply to nursing school thereafter. Still very interested in research, Yeslee sees herself working as a nurse while simultaneously pursuing research.

“I see no reason why I can’t do both,” says Yeslee. “Posse gives me courage. My Posse never fails to make me feel supported and connected to other people. I don’t think I would have applied to this program if it weren’t for the confidence Posse gives me.”