Samuel Ramsey, Ph.D.

Emerging Broader Impacts Leader

Endowed Assistant Professor, BioFrontiers and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

I think my program won an ARIS award because of a combination of global impact and amplification through science communication. My research program advances pollinator health by shifting from constant crisis response to prevention and this is a sorely needed pivot globally. It seems like we’re always just waiting for the next Pollinator Pandemic to tear through our bee populace and the oddest thing about it is that we know exactly where the parasites/pathogens are coming from. The animating principle for my work is that by understanding the evolution of the bees and by keeping the stewards of the bees (the beekeepers) informed, we can much more sustainably protect their health.

I start my presentations and videos on social media by telling people that I’m Dr. Sammy, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Entomologist.” It’s important to me that people know scientists so they trust us in critical situations. So, you’ll notice that I bring all of myself to my communication of my work. I see no value in shedding the things that make me unique for the sake of fitting the arbitrary mold of “the professional.” Folks were a bit worried that that would cause people to take me less seriously as a scientist but that doesn’t seem to be the case and your award is further evidence of that. I’ve been fascinated by insects for ages. I told my parents when I was seven, “I want to be an entomologist when I grow up” and apparently I was a pretty accurate narrator of things even in the second grade. I was also obsessed with Nat Geo at the time. I had no idea that I’d be inducted into the society the same year that I became an entomology professor. I love how life falls together though.

It’s an honor to even be considered let alone to receive an award! Thank you!