I started working with honey bees during my PhD, over 20 years ago, with a dissertation on the genetic processes underlying honey bee Africanization in Texas, USA. Since then, I have devoted my research career to study honey bees, focusing on uncovering the processes (natural and beekeeper-mediated) that have been shaping their genetic diversity patterns. A particular focus of my research has been on understanding the genetic basis of local adaptation as well as on uncovering the conservation status of different honey bee subspecies/populations. I have recently expanded my research interests on the genetics of the honey bee to the genetics of its predators (Vespa velutina) and diseases (viruses), and to bee-collected pollen for environmental monitoring purposes using metabarcoding. As a by-product of the several research projects that I have been coordinating or collaborating with I have also gained an interest in the development of molecular (e.g. SNP assays for monitoring introgression) and informatics (e.g. software for assessing honey bee combs) tools for honey bee research and management. Ultimately, I am interested in helping building a solid scientific background that can be used towards protecting the honey bee legacy.