معرفی
Michelle Flenniken is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology at Montana State University's College of Agriculture and a core faculty member of the Pollinator Health Center. Her research program integrates molecular virology, genetics, and host-pathogen dynamics with a primary focus on honey bee health and secondary work on potato-virus interactions.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Microbiology, Montana State University (2006)
- Postdoctoral Fellowship in Microbiology & Immunology, University of California San Francisco (2012)
- B.S. in Biology (Chemistry minor), University of Iowa (1998)
Her research investigates five interconnected domains: (1) RNA-triggered antiviral defense mechanisms in honey bees, (2) pathogen monitoring and discovery related to colony collapse disorder, (3) pathogenesis of Lake Sinai viruses, (4) microbiome-metabolome-transcriptome influences on immune responses, and (5) sublethal effects of agrochemicals on pollinator health. Collaborative work with Dr. Nina Zidack explores Potato virus Y resistance mechanisms in potato cultivars, bridging apicultural and agricultural pathology.
Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals dominant research trajectories in honey bee antiviral immunity, with growing emphasis on asymptomatic infections, environmental stressors, and cross-species viral transmission. Key methodological approaches include transcriptomics, metatranscriptomics, and in vitro cell culture models, while plant virology contributions focus on potato cultivar resistance and detection assays.
Scientific Awards:
- State of the Art Speaker, American Society of Virology (2015)
Dr. Flenniken actively mentors 4 current graduate students and has supervised 7 PhD/Masters graduates since 2016. Her lab secures substantial funding through competitive grants including NSF CAREER awards, Binational Science Foundation projects, and Montana Department of Agriculture initiatives targeting honey bee health and potato virus diagnostics. Current grants examine virus-nutrition interactions, antiviral agent efficacy, and PVY detection advancements.
The Flenniken Lab operates from the Plant Biosciences Building and maintains MSU's Pollinator Garden and Honey Bee Research Site, established in 2012. Her team collaborates with USDA-ARS, international researchers, and beekeeping associations while contributing to national virology education standards through editorial roles at 'Viruses' and 'Apidologie'.
