Rob received a B.S. in biology from Delaware Valley University, PA where he attained much of his entomological knowledge from Dr. Chris Tipping and Dr. Robert Berthold.  He was an apiary inspector for 2 years at the Department of Agriculture in Pennsylvania focusing on the Pennsylvania Native Bee Survey (PANBS) where he pinned, labeled, entered data and identified native bees to genus species.  He learned from Leo Donavall positive identifications of the native bees. Rob also coordinated kit construction and distribution for the APHIS National Honeybee Survey. He conducted many of these surveys with Mike Andree and Nathan Rice of USDA/ARS throughout California. These experiences led him to working with beekeepers to maintain genetic diverse colonies resistant to parasites while reducing the use of chemical treatments in colonies. Rob now works at the Bee Health Hub at UC Davis as the Senior Field Specialist.