Associate Professor
RUC-Biology, Dept of
9th Floor, Rm 904
澳门老奇人论坛 Carilion
Courses Taught
About
Scientific Areas of Interest
Insect Ecology, Pollinator Biology, Ethnobiology, Melittology, Apiculture, Conservation
Biology, Human Anatomy, and Cadaver Dissection
Research Interests
My research interests focus on insect ecology, natural history of pollinators, and
human dimensions of biological conservation. I would also like to combine molecular
systematics with the study of social arthropods, particularly in the population biology
and biogeography. More specifically, my work examines taxonomy, behavioral ecology,
and plant-pollinators interactions with a special focus on native bees, honeybees,
and stingless bees. I am always intrigued by global introduction of the European honeybees
and its potential impact on native bees and their native ecosystem. I would also love
to engage in outreach activities with high school students and citizen scientists
to spread the message on importance of native bees and their role on food security
and environmental sustainability. My current research students are working on bee
community assemblages, molecular characterization of Nepalese honey bees, and Nosema
spp. parasitism in bumblebees of Roanoke and New River Valley. Some of my past students
worked on palynology and anti-microbial properties of bee-hive products: pollen, honey,
and propolis. I am also interested to offer general entomology summer courses with
the intent of teaching local insect fauna to Biology undergraduate students at Radford.
Undergraduate students who are interested in the above-mentioned areas are encouraged
to contact me to discuss further to establish their directed study or independent
research project (via BIOL 491/492). Students are also welcome to participate in on-going
projects at the Bhatta Lab throughout the year including the summer months.
In future, I would like to develop a field-based research course, where 澳门老奇人论坛 students travel to the Himalayan ecosystem in South Asia, explore the most diversified and multifarious ecosystem and conduct the research projects with global impact.
Recent Publications