Marla Spivak

Marla Spivak

Keynote Speaker: Entomologist, Apiculture & Social Insects Specialist; Researcher Focused on Protecting Honey Bee Populations, Supporting Beekeepers, and Pollinator Health; Founder of "Bee Squad"

Marla Spivak Biography

Dr. Marla Spivak is an American entomologist and Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota, specializing in apiculture and social insects. Spivak is recognized for her research into the biology, behavior, and survival of honey bees, which are essential pollinators for healthy ecosystems and the agricultural industry, supporting a significant portion of the United States' food supply. Her work addresses the decline of honey bee populations, which has been linked to parasitic mites, diseases, pesticide exposure, and habitat loss.

Spivak's scientific contributions include the development of the "Minnesota Hygienic" line of bees. Her studies of hygienic behavior—the ability of certain bee strains to detect and remove infected pupae—enabled the breeding of more disease-resistant bees for the beekeeping industry. This line provides a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides for managing pests and pathogens such as the Varroa mite. Spivak has also promoted local breeding programs to increase the prevalence of hygienic traits in bee populations. Her laboratory has conducted research into the antimicrobial properties of propolis, the plant resin bees use to protect their hives, with findings that propolis influences bee immunity and may have implications for human medicine.

Spivak has extensively studied Colony Collapse Disorder, attributing it to factors including parasites, diseases, poor nutrition, pesticide poisoning, and habitat loss. Her research focuses on identifying stressors that compromise bee immune systems and developing mitigation strategies. She has communicated these issues to broad audiences, including a TEDGlobal talk that examined the causes of bee population declines. Spivak is the co-editor of "The African Honey Bee" and the author of beekeeping manuals and videos, with scientific articles published in journals such as Evolution, Apidologie, and Animal Behavior.

Spivak's work has been recognized with honors including a MacArthur Fellowship, the Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture, a Women of Discovery Award from Wings WorldQuest, and election as a Fellow of the Entomological Society of America. She has served as past-president of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects' North American Section, a trustee of the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, and a board member of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

After more than three decades at the University of Minnesota, Spivak retired, leaving a legacy in honey bee research and pollinator health. Following her MacArthur grant, she founded the Bee Squad, an organization supporting beekeepers and pollinator health in the Twin Cities community. The University of Minnesota's Department of Entomology established a Honey Bee Faculty Chair in her honor, ensuring the continuation of honey bee research. A species of sweat bee, Lasioglossum spivakae, was named in recognition of her contributions. Spivak's career demonstrates the impact of scientific research and public advocacy in the field of entomology and pollinator conservation.

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Marla Spivak Videos

On Propolis and Honey Bees | Premier Bee Products
Next Generation of Parks: Parks & Pollinators with Dr. Marla Spivak
Marla Spivak: Why bees are disappearing

How do I book Marla Spivak to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Marla Spivak for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Marla Spivak, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Marla Spivak or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Marla Spivak for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Marla Spivak, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Marla Spivak are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Marla Spivak, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Marla Spivak speak about?

Marla Spivak is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Science, Social Sciences, Environmental Science, Educational Motivational, Energy, TED, Sustainability, Economy, Research & Exploration, Business, Human Resources, Corporate Culture, Education, Conservation, Entrepreneurship, Technology, STEM, STEM Education, Animals & Wildlife, Earth Day, Strategic Leadership and Women in Tech.

Where does Marla Spivak travel from?

Marla Spivak generally travels from Saint Paul, MN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Marla Spivak?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Marla Spivak for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Marla Spivak for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Marla Spivak or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Marla Spivak is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Science, Social Sciences and Environmental Science. The estimated speaking fee range to book Marla Spivak for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Marla Spivak generally travels from Saint Paul, MN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Winona LaDuke, Jasmine Crowe-Houston and Meg Lowman. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Marla Spivak for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 27/04/2026.

Marla Spivak Videos

On Propolis and Honey Bees | Premier Bee Products
Next Generation of Parks: Parks & Pollinators with Dr. Marla Spivak
Marla Spivak: Why bees are disappearing
  • How do I book Marla Spivak to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Marla Spivak for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Marla Spivak, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Marla Spivak or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Marla Spivak for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Marla Spivak, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Marla Spivak are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Marla Spivak, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Marla Spivak speak about?

  • Where does Marla Spivak travel from?

    Marla Spivak generally travels from Saint Paul, MN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Marla Spivak?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Marla Spivak for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Marla Spivak for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Marla Spivak or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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MARLA SPIVAK

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