Biographie

Robert studied Zoology in Austria at the University of Graz, where he obtained both, his MSc and PhD working on honey bees in the lab of Karl Crailsheim. He currently holds a postdoc position where he focuses on several aspects of social insect biology. Of particular interest is the effect of various food sources on development and health of honey bees. Since 2014 he is a member of the executive committee of COLOSS (prevention of honey bee COlony LOSSes). Since 2008 he monitors honey bee colony winter losses in Austria and conducts epidemiological identification of risk factors for honey bees. Since 2014 he is also co-coordinator of the monitoring group in COLOSS. Robert is particularly interested in involving beekeepers as citizen scientists in research. Together with Sjef van der Steen he coordinated the “Citizen Science Investigation on Pollen Forage Diversity available for Honey Bees” (C.S.I. Pollen) in 2014 and 2015.