About the OBA Technology Transfer Program
The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association (OBA), Technology Transfer Program (TTP) was established in the early 1990’s by Dr. Medhat Nasr. The mandate of the TTP is to conduct research for Ontario’s beekeeping industry, to facilitate a honey bee breeding program in Ontario and to transfer information, skills and methodologies to the beekeepers. The OBA Tech-Transfer Program is unique because it operates directly for the beekeepers of Ontario, focusing on issues which are of importance to them.
Meet the Team
Our team consists of honey bee experts that share a passion for honey bee health, research, and education.
Colette Mesher, Ph.D.
Lead Specialist
Colette completed a BSc at the University of Guelph, an MSc at Rhodes University in South Africa and a PhD at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom. Colette has been actively involved in the beekeeping industry, as a hobby beekeeper, working for commercial beekeepers, working at Apihex, teaching workshops, as an OBA board member and as a member of the OBA. Colette runs a small beekeeping business – Miel Rebel Honey. From the moment that Colette first handled a frame of bees, she was hooked.
Melanie Kempers, B.Sc.
Special Projects Admin/Specialist
Mel grew up on a dairy farm in Prince Edward County. It was her love of agriculture that brought her to Guelph to obtain a BSc in Agriculture. Not really knowing much about bees, she applied for a summer student job with the “Bee Girls” and stood amongst a swarm in her first week on the job. With that amazing experience, she was hooked. She’s the only TTP member to not have bees outside of work, but that’s because she’s busy with sports, her friendly sidekick Violet and the gym. Melanie loves that beekeeping is never dull and keeps her on her toes!
Daniel Borges, M.Sc
Research Technician
Dan received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto. His passion for insects and entomology led him to the University of Guelph, where he completed a master’s degree under the supervision of Dr. Ernesto Guzman. His master’s work focused on the treatment of Nosema ceranae using natural compounds and probiotics. Dan also teaches at Niagara College, disseminating knowledge about bee biology and entomology. Dan is from the Tri-Cities area and currently lives in Kitchener. He runs a small bee operation, selling honey and nucs.
Kelsey Ducsharm, B.Sc.
Research Technician
Kelsey began at TTP as a summer student while attending school at the University of Guelph. After completing her Environmental Science degree, she decided to continue working with honey bees full time. And because that wasn’t quite enough bees for her, she now keeps a few hives of her own in her spare time as well. Kelsey is known as “the muscle” around the office and plays a big role in maintaining the breeding program.
Glenys Robinson, B.A.
Research Technician
Glenys, like many others, fell in love with bees while doing her undergrad at the University of Guelph, where she studied International Development (specializing in rural and agricultural development). After graduating, she decided to dive into beekeeping head first, and took the Commercial Beekeeping program at Niagara College. In addition to bees, Glenys is interested in plants and fungi, and likes to play around in the kitchen with canning and fermenting.
Stephanie Otto, B.Sc.
Research Technician
Stephanie is one of the newest members of TTP. She has her B.Sc. from the University of Guelph where she majored in Environmental Biology with a minor in Statistics. Stephanie’s interest in honey bees began when she took an undergrad honey bee course at UoG. This led her to a research technician position at the UoG Honey Bee Research Centre where she worked for 5 years. Stephanie is looking forward to becoming more involved in Ontario’s beekeeping industry through her work with TTP and hopes to have bees of her own in the future. One of her favorite things about beekeeping is being able to work outside and get her hands dirty.
