Interview: Tristan Kistler, PhD candidate at ABG and INRAE

His is a joint PhD trajectory (where the PhD candidate carries out research under
the supervision of two or more universities or institutions). Like WUR, INRAE is committed to perform high-quality research that is globally relevant and plays a major role in research related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). We asked Tristan a few questions about his PhD research, and how the collaboration between WUR and INRAE is organized.

What aspects of bee breeding are your focusing on in your research?

“My main focus is the genetic improvement of bees and setting up efficient multi-trait selection breeding plans for honey bees. Basically, my research can be divided into three components. The first is establishing the key breeding objectives and definitions. What traits are beekeepers most interested in for improving their colonies? Initial results of my research show that beekeepers have high expectations for improving both the productivity of their bees, as well as the resilience of the colony (for example when the bees are subject to disease or if there are insufficient food resources for the colony). The second part is looking at the potential for improvement for all these traits and finding out if there are synergies or antagonisms that exist between them. The final stage of my research will combine the lessons learnt from the first stages; I will use simulation tools to design optimal selection- and breeding schemes that are aimed at improving bee populations based on the previously established breeding goals. At the same time, these schemes need to make sure that there is still enough genetic variation to ensure the future evolutionary capacity of the bee populations.”

Given the crucial role of bees in pollination and the broader context of sustainable agriculture, how do you envision your research making an impact on beekeeping practices?

“I think that my research could be very helpful to beekeepers. Apiculture is facing many stressors related to climate change, globalization (and invasive species), and strong social changes. There are more fluctuations in the climate, which is not good for the flowers and for bee populations. Additionally, the arrival of invasive predators like the Asian hornet and exotic parasites like the varroa destructor are a great source of frustration for beekeepers. Genetic selection can help breeders to keep their populations healthy and productive by adapting them better to their particular practices and environment. I think it’s important – no, it's crucial, really – that we give beekeepers the theoretical tools to implement breeding schemes that will improve the productivity and resilience of their colonies. To best way to preserve honey bee diversity is by making beekeeping attractive, and for that beekeepers need the tools to keep their populations strong and productive.”

In what ways do the different academic environments, diverse expertise of researchers in different fields, and cultural contexts contribute to the richness of your research experience?

“For me, the diverse expertise of the researchers that I’m working with was the most important incentive to do a joint PhD. My supervisor at INRAE is dr. Florence Phocas, senior scientist in quantitative genetics belonging to the Animal Genetics and Integrative Biology unit at INRAE research centre. Initially, I didn’t really plan to do a PhD, but we actually projected the PhD together while I was doing field work in Italy. Florence knows a lot, particularly about applied genetics – I think INRAE has a very good ‘applied’ side in general – but dr. ir. Piter Bijma, senior lecturer and researcher at the Animal Breeding and Genomics group, has a lot of theoretical knowledge, which is why I really wanted to work with him as well. I also learnt a lot from prof. dr. ir. Pim Brascamp, who developed a strong passion for the field of honey bee breeding at the end of his career.”

“Although WUR and INRAE are very different institutions, I think they both have a high scientific level and they really complement each other. While INRAE has strong connections with the beekeeping sector in France, Pim brings the connection to the more global context. In addition, Piter brings particularly good knowledge about modelling, which is important given the spiecies’ specifities; you have to be very careful when applying theory developed for other organisms, as most of the time it cannot be applied readily and blindly without making adjustments. Essentially, both WUR and INRAE bring theoretical and applied knowledge, and I think that the joint PhD means that I get the best of both worlds.”