Billy Synk tending hives at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
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Billy Synk Joins Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility
July 26, 2012
DAVIS--He’s of German and Italian stock, just like the honey bees he tends.
Billy Synk, whose father is of German descent, and his mother, Italian, tends the Carniolan and Italian bees at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis.
Synk, a staff research associate since May, loves working with the 125 research hives. “There’s always something new to learn,” he said.
Synk divides his time working for honey bee specialist Brian Johnson and native bee specialist Neal Williams, both associate professors in the Department of Entomology. “I like being super busy,” he said.
“Billy is doing a great job,” Johnson commented. “He’s a fast learner and a hard worker and has already played a big role in some experiments.”
Synk, who received his bachelor of science degree in environmental policy and management in 2008 from Ohio State University (OSU), worked with noted bee breeder-geneticist Susan Cobey at OSU. Cobey later joined the Laidlaw facility in May of 2007.
“Billy worked with me as a student beekeeper assistant,” said Cobey, now a bee breeder-geneticist at Washington State University. “I always look for students who are intrigued with bee behavior and have a rapport with the bees, rather than being asked the two common questions, ‘Do you get stung?” and ‘Do you make honey?” Billy developed a good rapport with the bees, is always enthusiastic and fun to work with. We stayed in close touch over the years. I feel he will be an asset to the UC Davis bee biology program.”
Synk, who received his bachelor of science degree in environmental policy and management in 2008 from Ohio State University, worked at OSU for four years, first for Cobey, and later as a greenhouse assistant, research farm assistant manager, and as an assistant with a soybean project. He also worked at the Ohio State Equine Center, where he recalls “chasing the horses and giving them shots.”
Now a Californian, Synk left Ohio for California four years ago, first rearing leafcutter bees for a seed company specializing in alfalfa and vegetables.
At the Laidlaw facility, Synk works closely with Kimiora Ward of the Williams lab, assisting her with a variety of field work and lab projects. He samples for bees and pests, mounts slides, enters data, monitors for general bee hive health, applies treatments, designs experiments, works with general facilities, and manages interns, students and visitors. He recently tended the blue orchard bees in the hoop houses. His skills extend to plumbing, electrical and woodworking.
Synk also helps out at the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, the half-acre bee friendly garden planted next to the Laidlaw facility.
Born in Solon, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, Synk grew up playing high school football--his coaches nicknamed him “N’ Synk.” Today his passions include cycling, rock climbing, and of course, bees.