Who is Dr. Sammy?
With over 25 years of entomological fascination under his belt, Dr. Sammy Ramsey is a pioneer in bee research. From Bangladesh to Peru and from the Philippines to Belgium, he seeks sustainable solutions that allow people and pollinators to coexist and thrive.
Dr. Sammy’s research collaborators have included the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Geographic Foundation, along with scientists around the world. As the Endowed Assistant Professor of Entomology at the University of Colorado Boulder, he and his team at the Ramsey Lab study the parasitic mechanisms of bee symbionts as they explore strategies to combat pollinator pandemics.
In 2020, Dr. Sammy founded the Ramsey Research Foundation, which is dedicated to investigating and combating biological threats to pollinators all around the world. He’s been featured in publications like the New York Times, Wired, and many more; in 2026, he teamed up with award-winning director James Cameron to produce the National Geographic documentary Secrets of the Bees, which gave viewers a “Bee-OV” on the hidden lives of the world's pollinators. Nicknamed “Your Friendly Neighborhood Entomologist,” Dr. Sammy is on a quest to make science accessible to everyone.
Where Is Dr. Sammy?
Want to know when Dr. Sammy will be in a city near you? Check out his official calendar, updated monthly with all of his scheduled events and activities!
Press/Affiliations
Dr. Sammy Ramsey has garnered international praise and recognition for his groundbreaking research and significant contributions to the entomological field. With a consistent focus on scientific progress, diversity, and innovation, his career is distinguished by excellence and perseverance. Some of the conferences, publications, and organizations he’s had the privilege of contributing to or being affiliated with are linked below.
Dr. Sammy in the News
Check out some of Dr. Sammy’s recent interviews!
Dr. Sammy shares some little-known facts about bees--from ways that they play with each other to the mites that endanger them--with NPR's Short Wave podcast.
Dr. Sammy joins Nikki and Brie Garcia, hosts of The Nikki & Brie Show, for a chat about the hidden world of bees--and why it's so important to protect and care for them.
Directed by Academy Award winner James Cameron and produced by Dr. Sammy, National Geographic's Secrets of the Bees gives you an unprecedented look into the inner workings of a beehive. Check out their conversation on the importance of saving the world’s pollinators, and stream Secrets of the Bees on Hulu and Disney Plus!
The European honey bees are crucial to our food systems, but they may soon be under threat from a microscopic pest. So what exactly is this threat?