This National Science Foundation (NSF) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (PRFB) award, funded under CFDA 47.074 Biological Sciences, provides $240,000 to support a 3-year research project investigating the role of symbiotic yeasts in structuring bumble bee nest microbial communities. The project aims to determine how antimicrobial compounds produced by Starmerella yeasts impact the growth of detrimental microbes, bee health, and bee behavior. Key activities include testing variations in antimicrobial (sophorolipid) production across yeast strains, assessing the impact of sophorolipids on nest microbial communities and bee performance, and analyzing the effects of yeasts and sophorolipids on bee feeding and foraging behavior. The research will contribute to bumble bee conservation strategies by providing insights into bee-microbe interactions. No sub-awards are planned under this award.
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