Michelle A. Duennes

Dr. Michelle A. Duennes is an Assistant Professor in the Biological Science department at Saint Vincent College, affiliated with The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing. She joined the faculty in 2018 and teaches courses including General Biology II, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, and Invertebrate Zoology. As an advisor, she guides biology majors through their 3-semester capstone research projects.

Dr. Duennes' educational background includes:

• PhD in Entomology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• MS in Entomology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• BS in Biology from Mount St. Joseph University

Her research focuses on ecology, evolution, and conservation, particularly in the context of bumble bees and pollinator health. Students in her lab explore topics related to entomology, environmental science, and conservation biology, with emphasis on how environmental stressors affect pollinator populations. Her work combines field studies with molecular approaches to understand bee physiology, behavior, and population dynamics.

Dr. Duennes has published numerous articles on bumble bee health, with recent work examining parasites, endosymbionts, and environmental stressors affecting both wild and commercially raised bees. Her research spans transcriptomics, nutritional ecology, disease ecology, and conservation strategies for pollinators. She has also contributed to policy development through her involvement with the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign Bombus Task Force.

Dr. Duennes maintains an active research laboratory at Saint Vincent College, where she continues to investigate critical questions in pollinator health and conservation. Her work has important implications for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation efforts.