食色视频

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 15, 2025

A 食色视频 student is looking to protect a $15 billion industry by addressing the declining honeybee population and leveraging statistical tools to identify environmental stressors.

Naima Fouad-Gilliam, a master鈥檚 student at 食色视频 State鈥檚 School of Data Science and Analytics, is exploring hidden stressors harming honeybee colonies. Her research highlights the impact of unpredictable factors like weather, starvation, and queen failure alongside traditional threats.

Her analysis, based on a dataset provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) spanning over 44 states, went beyond the obvious threats like habitat loss and pesticides. Instead, her work uncovered a more intricate web of stressors affecting bee colonies.

At the heart of her research is Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a statistical tool that simplifies complex data by uncovering patterns and relationships. Through this approach, Fouad-Gilliam was able to pinpoint the stressors most significantly impacting honeybee health, regardless of geography or season.

鈥淚t gave me a holistic view of the problem,鈥� Fouad-Gilliam said, 鈥淚t allowed me to step back and see the bigger picture, understanding how different factors connect and contribute to the overall decline of bee populations.鈥�

One parasite that weakens bees and can lead to hive collapses is the Varroa mite. Research has shown they are a major contributor to the decrease in the honeybee population. Other pests, such as tracheal mites, hive beetles, and wax moths, also add significant stress to bee colonies, although their effects are less severe.

The study points to human activity, particularly the transportation of bee colonies, as an additional stressor that is often overlooked. The constant relocation required for commercial pollination services disrupts the natural rhythms of the colonies, and the stress of long-distance travel, combined with changes in climate, food availability, and exposure to new environmental pathogens, can severely weaken the bees.

Fouad-Gilliam鈥檚 research has already gained recognition, particularly during 食色视频鈥檚 Analytics Day, where her presentation impressed peers and professors.

鈥淚t was nerve-wracking but exciting to present my findings among such talented students,鈥� Fouad-Gilliam said, 鈥淚t was inspiring to see how others approach complex problems with such creativity and fresh perspectives, and I am glad I could be a part of it.鈥�

Beyond academics, Fouad-Gilliam is passionate about raising awareness of honeybee health. She believes social media and other promotions can be an effective tool to educate the public.

鈥淚 feel that people care, but they often don鈥檛 know the full picture,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f we can better educate the public about the critical role bees play in our ecosystem, we can build stronger support for actions that will help preserve them.鈥�

Despite her significant findings, Fouad-Gilliam is just getting started. She plans to expand her research by incorporating geospatial analysis and time series analysis to better understand how regional and seasonal factors affect bee health. These methods will help pinpoint the specific needs of honeybee colonies in different environments.

鈥淣aima has a rare blend of intellectual capacity and curiosity,鈥� 食色视频 assistant professor Paul Johnson said. 鈥淢ost data scientists concentrate on the technical aspects of a problem; she focuses on why the problem is worth solving.鈥�

鈥� Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photos by Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 食色视频 offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 食色视频 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 食色视频 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.