Kaira Wagoner

Responsibilities

Kaira conducts research related to pollinator health and honey bee hygienic behavior, mentors students in the Biology and Chemistry Departments, and is Co-Chair of the UNCG Bee Campus USA committee.

Education

• Ph.D. Environmental Health Science, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; December 2015
• M.S. Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; August 2011
• B.S. Biology and Health Science (double major) with minors in Chemistry, Astronomy, and Integrated Science, Guilford College; May 2006

Get to Know Us

Kaira Wagoner, PhD, is the co-inventor of the UBeeO Assay, a pheromone-based tool for measuring honey bee colony mite and disease resistance. In 2023, Dr. Wagoner was recognized in Copenhagen, Denmark as a finalist for the BII & AAAS Science Prize for Innovation for her work with UBeeO. Dr. Wagoner researches pollinator health and behavior through her role as a Research Scientist at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). She also currently serves as CEO of Optera, a honey bee health company based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Dr. Wagoner’s doctoral research at UNCG focused on honey bee chemical communication and hygienic behavior, which led to the development of UBeeO. When not in the lab or apiary, Dr. Wagoner enjoys traveling, playing games, and spending time in the great outdoors with her husband and three nature-loving boys.