on the genetics of bees, his main field of specialization. From 1962 to 1964, he served as the Scientific Director to organize the recently created São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP). In December 1964, he accepted the position of Full Professor of Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo, during the creation of a new Department of Genetics. In this capacity, Kerr was able to establish a research center of excellence, particularly in the areas of entomological genetics and human genetics, and which trained many masters and doctoral students. The department included a new research and teaching area, that of mathematical biology and biostatistics; and was a pioneer in the use of computers in biology and medicine, particularly for genetics applied to animal husbandry. In all these positions he never stopped his research on Meliponini, especially the genus Melipona, which is a genus of Neotropical bees that are frequently subject to the predatory action of wild honey gatherers (meleiros in Portuguese). Kerr became well known for his research on the hybridization of the African bee and the Italian bee (Apis mellifera ligustica). Kerr has 620 publications on various subjects. Apart from being a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, he was also a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences of the US, and of the Third World Academy of Sciences. He was admitted by President Itamar Franco to the National Order of Scientific Merit at the Grã-Cruz class in 1994. Selected papers Sources Bad Bee Keeping Blog Fundação Getulio Vargas: Warwick E. Kerr New York Times Article: Killer Bees Brazilian Journal of History References 1922 births 2018 deaths Brazilian geneticists Brazilian biologists Brazilian agronomists Brazilian entomologists Brazilian beekeepers Brazilian people of Scottish descent Theoretical biologists Members of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences Foreign associates of the National Academy of Sciences Recipients of the Great Cross of the National Order of Scientific Merit (Brazil) People from São Paulo (state) University of São Paulo alumni Brazilian people of American descent