(March 1, 2025) A fishing trip changed everything for Atreya Manaswi. In 2018, the then 12-year-old from Windermere, Florida, was out on a lake with a friend and his grandfather, an experienced beekeeper. The conversation turned to bees, and Atreya learned for the first time about the drastic decline in honeybee populations and its consequences for agriculture and the environment. That moment sparked a curiosity that would transform into a six-year journey of research, innovation, and advocacy. Today, at 17, he is the winner of the Diana Award 2024, has received the Regeneron ISEF Grand Award, the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, and was recognized as a Central Floridian of the Year Finalist—all for his groundbreaking work in honeybee conservation.
From Curiosity to Scientific Innovation
Bees play a vital role in global agriculture, pollinating about 80 percent of flowering crops that feed humans and animals alike. Yet, their populations have been declining due to multiple factors, including the small hive beetle, an invasive pest that attacks weakened hives, consumes pollen and honey, and forces colonies to abandon their nests. Chemical pesticides have traditionally been used to fight them, but these are expensive, harmful to the environment, and sometimes toxic to the bees themselves. Atreya set out to find a more sustainable solution.
The journey was anything but easy. He spent countless hours researching ways to tackle the problem and, in the process, taught himself coding, 3D printing, and data analysis. His weekends were spent in a lab hours away from home, where his mother, Sonia Oberoi, would drive him with all his research equipment. “Almost every Saturday or Sunday, it’s Bartow, a place that’s an hour-and-a-half drive, one way,” she said. “So, we would be in the car with all the traps and ingredients. Bees are a very important part of our life now … it is our moral responsibility and obligation to the world as well, so I’m doing my little bit.”
The Birth of BeetleGuard AI: A Game-Changer for Beekeepers
Atreya’s persistence led him to develop BeetleGuard AI, an innovative pest management system that helps beekeepers combat small hive beetles without resorting to harmful chemicals. The system consists of a 3D-printed IoT trap that uses a beer-based bait to attract beetles and machine learning technology to monitor and predict pest populations. His research found that the fermentation compounds in beer were highly effective at luring beetles, performing 33 times better than apple cider vinegar, a common natural bait used by beekeepers. To make the system more accessible, he designed a reusable version of the trap using 3D printing, providing a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to commercial pesticides.
“I’ve worked over the past five years to try and create something beekeepers can use to manage this pest in their hives,” the Global Indian said. The response from beekeepers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many seeing it as a promising alternative to chemical treatments. His invention has the potential to reduce pesticide dependency while improving hive health, making it a breakthrough in honeybee conservation.
Recognition and Global Impact
Atreya’s work extends beyond research. He has actively contributed to the scientific community by co-authoring a research paper published in the Journal of Applied Entomology and working in collaboration with the USDA, Stanford University, and the University of Florida. His passion for conservation has also led him to become a public speaker, advocating for pollinator protection on international platforms. He has addressed audiences at the United Nations, the World Food Forum, and various science conferences, using these platforms to emphasize the urgency of protecting pollinators.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Young Scientists
His commitment to environmental education inspired him to write a children’s book, The Bee Story, which raises awareness about the importance of bees and the dangers they face. The book has reached over 10,000 readers globally, and Atreya has personally visited schools and libraries to share the story with young students. He also founded the International Youth STEM Society, a nonprofit organization that supports young scientists across 25 countries, providing them with opportunities to engage in research and innovation.
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Even within his own family, his passion for science has had an impact. His younger brother, Aakash, has conducted his own honeybee research and won a science competition for his work on pollinator protection.
Young Indian Innovators in the US: A Growing Legacy
Atreya Manaswi’s story is part of a growing wave of young Indian innovators in the US who are making a mark in STEM, social impact, and environmental conservation. With deep cultural ties to education, science, and sustainability, Indian-origin students in America are increasingly leading research, launching startups, and driving social change.
Many, like Atreya, are leveraging technology and interdisciplinary research to solve pressing global challenges—from climate action to healthcare and artificial intelligence. His success also reflects the larger contribution of the Indian diaspora, where young minds are encouraged to push boundaries, innovate, and give back to their communities. Atreya’s journey, from a middle schooler fascinated by bees to an award-winning scientist and advocate, serves as an inspiring blueprint for other Indian-American youth seeking to combine passion with purpose to create real-world impact.
What’s Next for Atreya?
Despite his many achievements, Atreya remains focused on expanding the reach of BeetleGuard AI. He hopes to scale its application so that beekeepers worldwide can benefit from his research and find a more sustainable way to protect their hives. He is also looking ahead to college, where he plans to continue his work in biological sciences with a focus on environmental conservation.
“I’m hoping the work I’m doing … can make a difference someday,” he said. “My advice to any young scientist or aspiring student out there would be to find a problem in their community and do something about it.”
Atreya Manaswi’s journey from a curious 12-year-old to an award-winning scientist underscores the power of persistence, passion, and science in tackling global challenges. His innovations are already helping beekeepers fight hive destruction, and as he looks to the future, his work has the potential to reshape pollinator conservation on a much larger scale.
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