-
Muhammad Fahim Raza, PhD
TECHNICIAN IN APICULTURE RESEARCH
-
Dr. Fahim's journey into the world of bees began with an MSc in Agricultural Entomology from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan, where he conducted research on one of the biggest challenges in beekeeping: Varroa mites. After completing his Master's degree, he was awarded a Chinese government scholarship to pursue a PhD in Agricultural Entomology at Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, China. There, he shifted his focus to the Oriental fruit fly and became particularly interested in the role of gut symbionts in stress resistance, gaining valuable expertise in microbiology research. But something was buzzing in his mind; the call of the bees was just too strong to ignore. After finishing his PhD, Dr. Fahim returned to his passion for honey bees and joined the honey bee health lab as a postdoctoral fellow at the department of veterinary pathology, University of Saskatchewan, in December 2021. Over the course of his 3-year postdoc, he studied the complexities of American foulbrood disease, Varroa mites and viruses in honey bee colonies. His research has provided him with a deep understanding of North American beekeeping practices and a strong foundation in bee health research. Dr. Fahim intends to contribute to the broader beekeeping community by sharing his findings and collaborating with researchers, beekeepers, and policymakers to promote sustainable practices and improve honey bee health in British Columbia
