OUR TEAM
Pierre Giovenazzo, PhD - researcher and full professor
Pierre Giovenazzo received a PhD in veterinary sciences at the University of Montréal (Varroa IPM strategies). He is a professor at University Laval’s Biology Department and holded a Chair in Educational Leadership in apicultural science from 2016 to 2021. His recent research focuses on honey bee breeding, queen reproduction, pollination services, honeybee nutrition and varroa IPM strategies. He has published over 90 scientific research publications/reports and his communication skills are recognized not only in academia, but throughout the beekeeping community. He was vice-president of the Canadian Association of Professional Beekeepers of Canada (2014-2017) and is member of various national and international beekeeping stakeholder associations. He was president of the 46th Apimondia 2019 Congress in Montreal.
Ségolène Maucourt, PhD - Post-doctoral fellow
Since a young age, I have been passionate about animal biology. After completing a DUT in biological engineering at the University of Lorraine, an internship in Quebec sparked my interest in beekeeping and honeybees. Following my bachelor’s degree in biology, I pursued a master’s degree in plant biology at Laval University, where I studied the optimization of nuclei production. This experience deepened my understanding of the challenges in beekeeping and its associated issues. In 2017, I began my PhD at Pierre Giovenazzo’s laboratory, focusing on the genetic selection of the honeybee in a northern context. My work aimed to establish a breeding program using BLUP-animal statistical methodology to improve the hardiness and health of colonies. After completing my PhD in 2022, I continued my research as a postdoctoral fellow in the same laboratory, refining statistical tools and developing strategies for the diffusion of this improved genetics across Quebec and Canada. Since 2023, I have divided my time between my postdoctoral role and working as a contractual researcher at the Centre de Recherche en Sciences Animales de Deschambault. In addition, since 2024, I have also been serving as a co-leader of the ApiOmics project, which aims to introduce genomic tools into the honeybee breeding program in northern contexts.
Ana Maria Quiroga Arcila, PhD - Post-doctoral fellow
I have always had a strong interest in bees, biodiversity, conservation, as well as social and environmental issues. During my Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, I developed multidisciplinary training in agroecology, apiculture, and meliponiculture, as well as in science communication in rural Colombia. I then began a PhD in Plant Biology at Université Laval, focused on optimizing lowbush blueberry pollination by honey bees and bumble bees, as well as evaluating its effects on colony health. During my PhD, I broadened my interests to the interactions between science, public policy, and agroecological transitions, as well as to epistemological diversity and decolonial approaches to research. As part of the global Feed–Protect–Care platform, I participated in research experiences across Latin America, North America, Europe, and Africa, developing an intercultural approach to research and knowledge co-creation. I am currently pursuing these interests through my postdoctoral fellowship in Pierre Giovenazzo’s laboratory, where I aim to contribute to the development of collaborative and interdisciplinary research, exploring different dimensions of apiculture, social and environmental issues, and agroecological transitions.
Valérie Deshaies - Research professional
Since my childhood, I have always been fascinated by the animal world, a passion that has only grown over the years. This fascination naturally led me to pursue studies in biology at Laval University, where I chose to specialize in animal ecology. During my studies, I had the opportunity to take a course in apidology with Pierre Giovenazzo. This course was a true revelation for me. I discovered the fascinating world of honeybees and was deeply impressed by the complexity and social organization of these small insects. This sparked a profound interest in me for their in-depth study. Today, I am delighted to work in the apidology laboratory at Laval University as a research professional, allowing me to immerse myself directly in the world of honeybees and contribute to exciting research projects.
Andrée Rousseau - PhD student (since 2024)
co-directed by Claude Robert (UL)
My journey with bees began in 2010 when I was a biology student at Université Laval. From the very start, it was love at first sight. I was captivated by the apparent chaos within a bee colony, contrasted by the underlying order that prevails. In 2013, I completed a master’s degree focused on the production and quality of drones. Following that, I became a research professional at the Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault (CRSAD), where I contributed to various beekeeping projects related to queen breeding, genetic selection, and bee health. In 2019, I joined the CRSAD's beekeeping team as a researcher. My research primarily focuses on the factors influencing queen production and quality, with a particular interest in polyandrous reproductive behavior. Since September 2024, I have been pursuing a Ph.D. in biology under the supervision of Pierre Giovenazzo and Claude Robert. My research is centered on the genetic diversity of drones within a genetic selection context. This project investigates the genetic diversity of males present at mating sites, the diversity of sperm acquired by queens during mating flights, and how paternal control methods affect this diversity and the associated benefits for various important traits in honeybee genetic selection programs.
Laurence Plamondon - PhD student (since 2024)
co-directed by Claude Robert (UL)
My love for biology mainly developed through the wilderness surrounding our family chalet. I remember often bringing various creatures to class, a habit that earned me a reputation that still follows me today. It was in college that I discovered the world of research by participating in a project on the pheromone trails of leaf-cutting ants in Belize. Despite this enriching experience, I was still undecided about my career path. I therefore began my university studies in agronomy, but as life often works out in unexpected ways, I had the opportunity to take a course in apidology and secure an internship. This experience marked the beginning of my master’s degree. My project focused on reducing winter mortality in honeybee colonies through summer treatments of the varroa parasite using organic acids and allowed me to develop expertise in viral analysis. At the end of my master’s degree, I joined the CRSAD's beekeeping team as a research professional, an experience that combined agronomy and applied research. It was within this framework that I had the opportunity to embark on my doctoral journey, working on one of the aspects of the ApiOmic project, which will allow us to study the organization and genetic diversity of the superorganism Apis mellifera.
Victoria Ferland- PhD student (since 2026)
I have always had a strong interest in animal health and throughout my academic journey, this interest led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology at Université Laval. It was particularly through courses in Apidology and Entomology that I developed a strong interest in insects, especially the honey bee. I then had the opportunity to work in Pierre Giovenazzo’s laboratory as well as in the field at the CRSAD, where I contributed to various research projects. These experiences allowed me to further explore the field of apicultural research and sparked a particular interest in Varroa destructor, a parasite that represents a major challenge to honey bee colony health. As part of my master’s degree, I studied a summer treatment strategy involving the temporary interruption of queen egg laying in order to improve the efficacy of organic acid treatments against Varroa destructor. I am now happy to continue my studies at the PhD level and to further develop my expertise in the field of apicultural research.
Camila Perera Perez- MSc student (since 2025)
I graduated with a degree in agronomy from the University of Costa Rica, where I developed a strong interest in studying insects. During my bachelor’s studies, I worked as a teaching assistant in the entomology course, gaining experience with common insect pests. I also conducted research on mites and native bees in Costa Rica, which sparked my curiosity towards bees. These experiences inspired me to focus my career on insects. After finishing my degree, I started looking for opportunities to continue studying insects and was excited to join Pierre’s team. My master’s research focuses on winter bees, studying how different pollen substitutes affect their immune systems to help improve their health and survival during the Canadian winter. I hope this thesis will be a step forward in supporting the fascinating beekeeping world.
Émilie Dallaire- MSc student (since 2025)
I have always had curiosity towards nature and living things. Over time, this interest grew, leading me to study biology at Laval University. During my bachelor's degree, I took an introductory research course that confirmed my interest in research and prompted me to join Pierre's lab. There, I was able to discover the world of apiculture research, particularly through fieldwork at the CRSAD research center. Working with honey bees fascinated me from the very beginning, and I decided to start a master's project with these fascinating little creatures. My project aims to determine whether the genetic structure of the worker population within a honey bee colony varies over the course of the colony's life.
Océanne Beaudet- MSc student (since 2026)
For as long as I can remember, the animal world has always greatly fascinated me. Having grown up in the countryside, surrounded by nature, I have always placed particular importance on all the biodiversity that surrounds me. My academic path was therefore straightforward. Without hesitation, I enrolled in the Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Université Laval, located very close to my home. Throughout my studies, I developed a great curiosity about the beekeeping world. I had the opportunity to complete a summer internship and then take the Introduction to Research course, which allowed me to carry out my first research project focusing on the effect of nutrition on the health of honey bees. This first experience confirmed my interest in research in beekeeping and led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Biology. Starting in September 2026, I will therefore continue my studies with a project focusing on the effect of different dietary supplements in honey bees and their influence on queen rearing. Thus, I have the opportunity to pursue my studies in a unique and enriching field.
Giovanna Figueiredo - MSc student (since 2026)
The decision to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology stemmed from my strong interest in nature, mammals, and aquatic animals. However, I discovered a true passion for beekeeping and apidology following my first work experience in my field of study in the summer of 2024. This enriching experience encouraged me to continue my involvement with the University Laval beekeeping team by working for a second summer as a research assistant. It also inspired me to share and build upon this experience through a Sigma+ internship. Wishing to further deepen my knowledge and go beyond my professional experiences, I subsequently decided to become involved in a research project as part of the Research Initiation course. These different experiences strengthened my interest in the honey bee and led me to continue my academic journey by pursuing a master’s degree in the same laboratory. My research project focuses on grooming behaviour in Apis mellifera and aims to better understand the role of this behaviour in honey bee resistance to Varroa destructor. More specifically, this study will allow us to establish an effective method for measuring grooming behaviour and to assess its potential correlations with other traits observed in A. mellifera. In the longer term, we also aim to link the phenotypic data obtained with genomic analyses in order to identify markers associated with this trait. This work could contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying resistance to varroa and could be part of a broader approach to honey bee genetic selection, with the potential to contribute to improving colony resistance to this parasite.
Simon Blais - MSc student (since 2026)
Since I was very young, I have been passionate about the animal world, and I have always known that I eventually wanted to work in this field. This ambition is what led me to enroll in a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Université Laval. Throughout my program, I had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of subjects and to work as a research assistant in several laboratories, particularly in the field of animal ecology. When the time came to choose the laboratory where I wanted to pursue my master’s degree, I was particularly drawn to Pierre Giovenazzo’s Apidology Laboratory. Indeed, since my adolescence, I have worked professionally in the field of private entomological collections. Among other responsibilities, I am involved in the preparation, preservation, and mounting of insect specimens for private collections, which has given me a strong interest in arthropods in general. It was therefore with great enthusiasm and ambition that I began working in the field of honey bees. I began my career in apiculture by working as a research professional at the Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault (CRSAD) during the summer of 2026. I am now pursuing my career by beginning a research-based master’s degree. My project focuses on the impact of drone management on hive population dynamics, more specifically on varroa mite management and the prevalence of the Suppressed Mite Reproduction (SMR) trait.
Former members of the laboratory (since 2016)
Directed graduate students
Robert, Anne-Charlie (2022-2025) - Master's degree in biology - The activity of commercial bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) as a function of temperature and colony protection methods.
Ménard, Kim (2021-2024) - Master's degree in biology - The relationship between honeybee population structure and foraging activity.
Lamothe-Boudreau, Maggie (2020-2023) - Master's degree in biology - Physiological qualities of honey bee queens (Apis mellifera) overwintering massively in bank colonies.
Plamondon, Laurence (2020-2023) - Master's degree in biology - Effects of summer treatment in an integrated pest management of Varroa destructor on virology and winter mortality of Apis mellifera) colonies in eastern Canada.
Maucourt, Ségolène (2017-2022) - PhD in biology - Genetic selection of the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) in a northern climate
Morin, Marie-Lou (2018-2022) - Master's degree in biology - Study of the environmental effect on the expression of VSH (Varroa Sensitive Hygiene) behavior selected in Apis mellifera
Levesque, Mireille (2019-2021) - Masters in biology - Effects of overwintering in banks on the survival and reproductive quality of honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.)
Bleau, Naomie (2017-2019) - Masters in biology - Effects of probiotics on overwintering and spring development of honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) in northern climate
Rouleau-Breton, Stéphanie (2017-2019) - Masters in Biology - Controlling the Varroa destructor parasite by selection of the Varroa Sensitive Hygiene behavioral trait
Dufour, Claude (2016-2019) - Masters in Biology - Development and nutrition of honey bee colonies during blueberry pollination services
Co-directed graduate students
Gaubert, Joy (2021-2024; Direction: Nicolas Derome) - PhD in biology - Characterization of host/microbiota interactions at the health/disease interface in the honeybee
El Khoury, Sarah (2016-2022; Direction: Nicolas Derome) - PhD in biology - Use of probiotics to sustainably combat the exposure of bees to imidacloprid pesticides
Grenier, Émilie (2018-2020; Direction: Isabelle Goupil-Sormany) - Master's degree in public health - Gradients of exposure to certain atmospheric pollutants by biomonitoring of bees as an indicator of socio-environmental inequalities in Quebec
Auger, Laurence (2016-2018; Direction: Nicolas Derome) - Masters in biology - Genetic bases and heritability of Varroa Sensitive Hygiene behavior in Apis mellifera
Bouslama, Sidki (2016-2020; Direction: Nicolas Derome) - Master's in Biology - Genomic profiling of gut microbiota in honey bees in Canada
Lamontagne-Drolet, Marianne (2016-2018; Direction: Valérie Fournier) - Master's degree in plant biology - Food supplements to maximize the development of honeybee colonies
Rondeau, Sabrina (2016-2018; Direction: Valérie Fournier) - Master's degree in plant biology - Biological control of Varroa destructor with the predator Stratiolaelaps scimitus
Paillard, Marilène (2015-2017; Direction: Janice Bailey) - Masters in Animal Sciences - Protecting the Genetic Diversity of the Honey Bee: Preservation Methods of Drone Semen
Maucourt, Ségolène (2015-2017; Direction: Valérie Fournier) - Master's degree in plant biology - Optimizing the production of honeybee nuclei
Undergraduate students
Heymans, Estelle (2023-2024) - Course Introduction to research - Impact of weather conditions on the reproductive behavior of honey bee queens (Apis mellifera)
L'Écuyer, Phillipe (2021-2022) - Course Introduction to research - Study of the effect of mass storage and overwintering on the survival and performance of Apis mellifera queens
Sénéchal, Justine (2021-2022) - Course Introduction to research - Morphological analysis of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) for the identification and characterization of genetic lines
Brière, Marianne (2022) - Course Documentary research - Integrated control methods for varroa mites in organic beekeeping
Giroux, Béatrice (2020-2021) -Course Introduction to research - Relationship between hygienic behaviour and infection of bee colonies by Acosphera apis
Pellerin, Sarah (2021) - Course Documentary research - Parasites and nutrition: preparing colonies for the cold Quebec winter
Hunter-Lafont, Ély (2020) - Course Documentary research - The potential of RNA interference treatment against the Varroa destructor parasite
Lampron, Noémie (2018-2019) - Course Introduction to research - Effect of temperature variations measured during transport on the quality of Apis mellifera queens
BIgot, Ivan (2019) - Course Documentary research - What factors initiate hygienic behavior in the honey bee?
Morin, Marie-Lou (2017-2018) - Course Introduction to research - Development of a method to evaluate nectar production and melliferous potential of forage plants
Giguère, Anthony (2017-2018) - Course Introduction to research - Reproductive success of Varroa destructor in Apis mellifera bee colonies
Tremblay, Stephanie (2018) - Course Documentary research - Solitary bees VS social bees: collaboration makes all the difference!
Beaupré, Joëlle (2018) - Course Documentary research - The royal fountain of Youth: aging in the female castes of Apis mellifera
Grenier, Émilie (2018) - Course Documentary research - The honeybee and its products: a tool for air quality biomonitoring in Quebec? Case study in the Limoilou area of Quebec City
Main collaborators of the laboratory
Researcher in bee science
Deschambault Animal Science Research Center (CRSAD)
Researcher and professor
Food Sciences and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University
Researcher and professor
Department of Chemistry, University of Sherbrooke
Researcher and professor
Honey Bee Research Center
University of Guelph
Researcher and professor
Biology Department
York University