Maria Bouga received her PhD in Biology, specialising in honey bee genetics. Her research and teaching activities cover aspects of Molecular Taxonomy, Genetics and Apiculture focused on the genetics of honey bees, honeydew insects and Varroa destructor. She is also involved in the conservation of native bee populations. She is a Scientific collaborator in the Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology & Entomology of the Agricultural University of Athens in Greece. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the COLOSS honey bee research association (Prevention of honey bee Colony LOSSes) (http://www.coloss.org/) and the Senior Editor of the Journal of Apicultural Research (https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/tjar20