Extension Team
Dr. Elaine Evans
Associate Extension Professor
Research interests: I work on questions related to wild bee diversity and bee conservation. I am currently assessing the status of Minnesota wild bee communities in comparison to historic records as well as monitoring population of the endangered rusty-patched bumble bee and examining habitat associations.
Outreach and education: I work on bee citizen science efforts including the Minnesota Bumble Bee Atlas. I also work on education efforts to increase awareness of wild bee habitat needs and instill action to create effective pollinator habitat.
U of MN 2019 Outstanding Community Service Award Recipient
Education:
PhD, Entomology, 2016, U of MN, Advisor: Marla Spivak
M.S. Entomology, 2011, U of MN, Dept of Entomology, Advisor: Marla Spivak
B.S. Biology, 1993, Evergreen State College, Olympia WA
Books: Befriending Bumble Bees, Managing Alternative Pollinators
Dr. Katie Lee
Extension Educator and Researcher
I am the Apiculture Extension Educator, a Bee Squad team member, and a post-doctoral researcher on the Minnesota Agriculture for Pollinators Project led by Dr. Dan Cariveau. My work focuses on the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, metrics that indicate queen bee and colony health, and the benefits of pollinator plantings on bee health. I developed a parasitic mite sampling protocol that is now a nationwide standard. For the Bee Informed Partnership, I founded two extension teams that provide colony assessment services for commercial beekeepers. I serve on the boards of the Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Association and the American Beekeeping Federation and co-chair the education and research committees.
Education: PhD, Entomology, 2018, U of MN, Advisor: Marla Spivak M.S. Entomology, 2009, U of MN, Advisor: Marla Spivak B.S. Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, 2005, U of MN
Pronouns: she/her
Bee Squad Team
Jessica Helgen
Bee Squad Director
Jessica Helgen is the Bee Squad's Program Director and manages an amazing team of Bee Squad beekeepers, educators, artists, and researchers.
Jessica fell in love with beekeeping on a study abroad trip to southern India in college. After graduating, she started working for the UMN Bee Lab in 2006, then returned to India for a Fulbright fellowship to study Asian honey bees (Apis cerana). Jessica continued working for the Bee Lab and became one the first Bee Squad beekeepers in 2011. In 2013, Jessica initiated the Bee Squad Mentoring Apiary program, which provides hands-on training to hobby beekeepers. She is most proud of convincing new beekeepers to try glove-less beekeeping!
Education: B.A. in Biology from St. Olaf College, 2006
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Elise Bernstein
Outreach Specialist & Researcher
Elise started working for the Bee Squad in 2021. She is the Program Coordinator for the Minnesota Bumble Bee Atlas and assists in conducting bumble bee research. Elise leads pollinator-centric outreach across the Twin Cities, including attending events and giving talks. Elise holds a BS from the University of Minnesota where she studied environmental science, policy, and management with a focus in environmental education and communication, alongside a minor in public health. Outside of work, Elise is an avid rock climber and outdoor enthusiast.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Clara Costello
Beekeeper, Equipment Manager and Creative Consultant
Clara Costello started beekeeping as a student in the Bee Squad’s Mentoring Apiary Program. She discovered she had a talent, and joined the Bee Squad team in 2014. Clara holds a B.A. in German and Theatre Arts, with a minor in Biology, from the University of Minnesota, Morris. Besides beekeeping, she remains an active part of the Twin Cities’ theatre community.
Judy Griesedieck
Bee Squad Specialist
Judy Griesedieck is a professional photographer, has worked at three newspapers around the country, including the Star Tribune, and is now a freelance photographer. In spring and summer of 2014, Judy followed the Bee Squad, taking photos and video as they worked their magic on the rooftops around the Twin Cities. Her project was published by Minnesota Public radio. Judy says that the closer she got to the bees, the more she learned and the more intrigued she became. Now Judy is a vital part of the Bee Squad beekeeping team. Judy does hands-on work with honey bee colonies, and produces photos and videos that get the word out about the magic of honeybees and the vital role they play in our lives.
Joshua Muñoz
Beekeeper and Bee Veterans Mentor
Joshua Muñoz transitioned out of the Marine Corps in 2014. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelors in Agriculture Communications & Marketing and a Masters in Agriculture Education. He now works as an Agricultural Teacher at Como Park Senior High School. Josh has been working with the Bee Squad since 2018.
Anne Turnham
Director of Visual Communications
Anne Turnham designs and creates graphic and digital communications and educational materials for the Bee Lab. She loves collaborating with scientists, beekeepers and pollinator educators to create new content for diverse audiences. A long-time beekeeper, Anne joined the Bee Squad in 2015. She graduated with a B.A. in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology and Environmental Science, along with a minor in Chemistry from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Jenny Warner
Beekeeper and Team Leader
Jenny Warner has been a valued member of the UMN Bee Lab since 1997 and is a founding member of the UMN Bee Squad. Among her many beekeeping and teaching duties, Jenny leads a program that teaches beekeeping to incarcerated persons in two MN correctional facilities. She graduated with a B.S. in Horticultural Food Production and a minor in Soil Science from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Ben Ziegler
Researcher
Ben Ziegler gained an interest in aiding pollinators through years of gardening and habitat restoration. He transitioned out of the USAF in 2012, and currently aids the Spivak Honey Bee Lab, the Bee Squad, and Bee Veterans program in research and bee/plant maintenance. He spends his free time tinkering with trap crops, grafting stone fruit trees, and honing his caveman-medic skills.
Education: B.S. in Plant Science and minors in Entomology, Urban and Community Forestry, and Horticulture from the University of Minnesota, 2021; A.A. in Computer Animation from Art Institute of Minnesota,1999.
Pronouns: he/him
Current Technicians
Stephen Tolentino
Bee Squad Pollinator and Climate Justice Coordinator
Stephen joined the Bee Squad in 2021 as an Outreach & Education Coordinator, where he assists with native bee and honey bee fieldwork and outreach. He leads pollinator-focused outreach across the Twin Cities, attending events, giving presentations, and creating educational videos and graphics. Stephen holds a B.S. in Kinesiology with a minor in Physical Activity & Health Promotion from the University of Minnesota. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor adventures like hiking, alpine skiing, and mountain biking.
Education: B.S. in Kinesiology and minor in Physical Activity and Health from the University of Minnesota, 2024
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Jayden Peterson
My name is Jayden Peterson and I’m a junior at the University of Minnesota. I’m currently pursuing a B.S. in Conservation Biology with a GIS and ESPM minor. I recently began working with the Bee Squad to create a more accessible space surrounding policies and pollinators. I have two yorkies that love to go on hikes and other adventures with me all year round. In the summer I love to go hammocking in the park or on a last minute road trip. I am very excited to work with the Bee Lab and contribute to their amazing work!
Pronouns: she/ hers
Lilja Anderson
As a current undergraduate student, Lilja joined the Bee Lab by chance after sending an email to Dr. Spivak saying her work seemed "super cool." She now works under Dr. Katie Lee and has fallen in love with bees and beekeeping. She is currently working towards her Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior with a minor in Insect Science. Lilja loves inspecting hives with her pink hivetool, learning from senior beekeepers, and sharing cool facts about bees with anyone who will listen. She hopes to continue her studies at the Bee Lab as a graduate student after May 2026. Outside of the lab, she can be found rock climbing, playing ultimate frisbee, or looking at bugs. If there was one piece of advice she had to share, it would be to send that email!
Renee Rademacher
Renee Rademacher is an undergrad majoring in Biology, Society, and Environment with a minor in Insect Science. As a bee lover, she admired the lab from afar for a while before getting hired as an outreach assistant in 2024. Soon after, she began helping out with beekeeping and fieldwork as well. Renee also loves arts and crafts, cooking with fresh veggies, film photography, crocheting, and camping.
Bee Squad Advisors
Rebecca Masterman
Bee Squad Program Adviser
Rebecca Masterman first worked for the UMN Bee Lab as an undergraduate in 1992, and returned in 2012 as the Bee Squad’s Associate Program Director and Coordinator. Becky graduated from UMN Twin Cities with a BA (major in history, minor in biology) and then obtained a Ph.D. in Entomology studying the neuroethology of honey bee hygienic behavior under the direction of Dr. Marla Spivak.
Bridget Mendel
Bee Squad Program Adviser
Bridget Mendel is the former Bee Squad Program Director. She is currently the Communications Director for the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. She loves working with bees, beekeepers, and the public to make the world a more habitable place for all people and all pollinators.
Education: Bridget holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.F.A. from the University of Minnesota.
Pronouns: she/ hers
Chris Schad
Bee Squad Advisor
Chris is a biologist by training, with several peer-reviewed genetics papers published in scientific journals. He works is a certified Master Naturalist, sits on the Olmsted County Parks commission, and is a past president of the SE Minnesota Beekeepers Association. Several years ago he restored a portion of his home property to native prairie, and shortly after that began keeping bees. He currently manages honey bees on his rural Rochester, MN property plus on other sites in the region.