Dr John Roberts works on pests and diseases of honey bees.

John joined CSIRO at Black Mountain ACT as a postdoctoral fellow in 2010, and is now a research scientist leading the bee pathology research area with projects focused on improving the biosecurity and health of Australia’s managed and wild honey bees.

His recent research has included genetic studies of emerging Varroa and Tropilaelaps mite pests in Papua New Guinea, examining viruses and other pathogens associated with Australian honey bees, including the invasive Asian honey bee population in northern Australia, and analysing the effects of nutritional management on Nosema and virus infections.

His research has been supported by the Honeybee and Pollination R&D of AgriFutures Australia.