Dr. Christoph Kurze

smartBEE Lab

Our research focuses on understanding the behavioural ecology and ecophysiology of insects, with a particular focus on bee health. Bee populations are in decline due to multiple environmental stressors, including infectious diseases, climate change, and land use intensification. Given the importance of bees as essential pollinators, our research aims to contribute to our understanding of disease dynamics, the effects of environmental stressors, and conservation strategies.

We employ an integrative organismal approach that spans a range of methodologies, from classical physiological and molecular techniques to state-of-the-art behavioural experiments. By investigating how environmental stressors impact bumblebees’ life-history, we aim to enhance our understanding of the challenges bees face and their implications for their fitness. In my recently funded DFG project Sublethal effects of an emerging infectious disease on foraging efficiency in bumblebees, we will expand our research on this topic by using RFID-enabled robotic flowers.

BSc and MSc project opportunities

If you are interested in joining our lab, please don't hesitate to reach out for more information. We have exciting thesis projects available for passionate young scientists!

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