Léna Barascou, Ph.D.
Doctoral degree discipline: Agicultural Sciences
Awarding institution: University of Avignon, France (2022)
Current postdoctoral position/field: Postdoctoral research fellow / Management of Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps mercedesae on honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera)
Auburn University department: Entomology and Plant Pathology (College of Agriculture)
Postdoctoral faculty mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Williams
Research interests/expertise:
Dr. Barascou completed her PhD research on pesticide impacts on honey bees at the University of Avignon (France). She later conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Florida Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab investigating the non-target effects of mosquito control products on honey bee colonies. She is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the Auburn University Bee Center, where her work focuses on field studies aimed at improving monitoring and management strategies for parasitic mites affecting honey bees, including Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps mercedesae.
Her research interests include pesticide toxicology and risk assessment in pollinators, and the biology and management of parasitic mites in honey bee colonies. She has authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications in international journal. In addition to her research, Dr. Barascou regularly contributes to scientific conferences and professional meetings, with over 25 conference presentations. She is also involved in outreach and extension activities, including presentations for beekeeper associations and stakeholders, helping translate scientific findings into practical recommendations for pollinator health and sustainable beekeeping.
Awards/honors:
- ABRC Postdoc Travel Award (2025) (American Association of Professional Apiculturists)
- 1st Prize PHYTOPHARMA (2023) (French Pesticides Research Group)
View Dr. Barascou's research presentation
