Hi, my name is Joseph Coffey and I am from Burnsville, MN.
My current profession is Sr. Principal Engineer, EE and Chief System Architect for a telecommunication company where I am a team manager and scientist. I perform analysis on theoretical concepts that lead to product and\or system development in the areas of fiber optics, optoelectronics, MEMS, data transport, and electronic systems.
My interest in entomology started with beekeeping. The more I studied and worked with honey bees and bumble bees, the more interested I became in other insects and how they all interact as “systems” in the natural world. They are also perfect models for robotic applications. My goal is to complete my masters degree in entomology to better my credentials in the beekeeping industry and use the knowledge learned to develop educational programs related to beekeeping, IPM, and native pollinators. The beekeeping started with a single colony but has now progressed to a sideliner operation with apiaries in four counties of Minnesota.
My wife and I have been married for 38 years and we have eight wonderful grandchildren who like to help “papaw” collect insects.