Team Members
Colette Mesher, Ph.D.
Lead Specialist
Colette Mesher 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. Cutting her teeth learning how to prepare colonies for pollination, honey production, nucleus colony production and queen rearing before starting her own company.
Melanie Kempers, B.Sc.
Special Projects Admin/Specialist
Melanie Kempers 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 Borges 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.
Glenys Robinson, B.A.
Research Technician
Glenys Robinson, 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.
