Undergraduates’ research sheds light on zombie bees

After a semester in the classroom, most students gain new knowledge, skills, and perhaps new friends. For students in Assistant Professor Mitzy Porras’ biology class, several undergraduates also walked away with a peer-reviewed research article on zombie bees in a scientific journal – a major asset for any student.

“Publishing an article is rather rare, especially for an undergraduate student,” said Lioh Jaboeuf, first author of the article published in the scientific journal. Insects. On the first day of Porras’ “Bio 460: General Entomology” undergraduate course in fall 2024, Jaboeuf and some of his classmates chose to conduct a research project on bees as a semester project.

Bees play a vital role in urban ecosystems, pollinating plants that support community gardens, street trees and backyard crops. However, they face many challenges, including parasitism by species like the parasitic fly Apocephalus borealis. The parasite lays its eggs inside a bee, and the larvae later eat their way out, killing the bee. A 2012 SFSU study reported that before their premature death, infected bees exhibited zombie-like behavior: They became disoriented, abandoned their hive, and died near light sources. Porras’ class wanted to continue the study of this parasite.

From September 2024 to May 2025, the SFSU team monitored honey bee populations at six different sites on the SFSU campus, which included gardens with pollinators and herbaceous and woody plants, and near the science building where the bees were previously collected. Parasitism rates fluctuated seasonally – peaking in May, when about 50% of bees were infected – and were closely linked to warmer temperatures and lower humidity.

“This study reinforces the need for long-term and seasonal monitoring of bee populations in urban areas. It powerfully reminds us that cities are dynamic ecosystems and that their resilience depends on how we observe, understand and protect the species that keep them functioning,” Porras explained.

As a new professor at SFSU, Porras (who arrived at the university in fall 2024) is prioritizing the creation of undergraduate courses that go beyond standard curricula.

“It is essential to offer a research experience that allows students to experience practical activities,” Porras emphasized. “While they are learning concepts, they should have the opportunity to apply them and build their CV. This would be a plus for them when they enter the job market.”

Jaboeuf, a French international student, participated in two internships before coming to SFSU but did not have experience at this level of data analysis, publication, or the process of responding to peer reviews through revisions. As an international student, writing scientific texts in English was an extra layer of learning that he enjoyed. “This whole experience has been very educational,” he said.

“Getting involved from the beginning, doing the project on your own terms and writing a paper, revising it and doing it as a group was a really good opportunity to understand how research works,” said Jaboeuf, who took Porras’ class during his semester at SFSU. “It was one of the best courses I took while I was in the United States”

Co-author Jenny Hoffmann (BS, ’25), a transfer student, heard repeatedly that she needed research experience for her future as a biologist. However, field research can sometimes be difficult for students, especially if it takes place in a remote location and coincides with other obligations. But Porras’ mission got around that problem by keeping the field work close to home.

“The project was done on campus, so it was very conveniently located,” said Hoffmann, who lived in the Centennial Square Towers when the bees were collected. “I could just go out and do work in my community, which was so cool.”

For Hoffmann, this project was part of her connection to the SFSU community, something she valued as a student and cherishes for the future.

“My favorite thing about science is that it’s very collaborative and team-oriented,” she said. “I can’t wait to see where the next part of my journey takes me because I now have this SFSU community with me. I can bring it to the next place I work and I can create a community there. I’m so excited for it.”