Greenport Science Whiz Kid Shares Project with 'Worldwide' Implications

SOUTHOLD, NY - Greenport student Joey McInnis may be just 14 years old, but he's a science whiz with a project so monumental it could have worldwide implications.

So said his mentors Wednesday, when Joey gave a presentation on his pioneering work to students at Southold Middle School.

Joey is working on a project to explain the colony collapse disorder in bees, and to shine a light on why bees may be dying off.

He began by outlining why some have traditionally felt bees might be dying, such as pesticides, parasites, disease and stress.

Joey said he worked with a mentor in Greenport, a retired Riverhead biology teacher — he was doing high school biology work when he was just 12 years old — as well as Dr. Douglas Gregg, a retired member of the USDA's research team on Plum Island, who discussed colony collapse disorder and discussed a project Joey could embark upon his own, independent study.

The project involves tracking the path of an "immune suppressive microbe" and how it ends up in bees; so far, Joey has worked painstakingly for more than a year and still has a year or more of work ahead to prove his theory, including writing a paper on his groundbreaking work that will be published in a scientific journal.

Without sharing too many of the details in print until his work is copyrighted, Joey said he's always been passionate about science and when he met the science teacher, his mentor, he was excited to keep pushing the boundaries.

His mentors, Joey said, have been "amazing," he said

"Joey, I am speechless and I don't often get speechless," said Southold/Greenport School Superintendent David Gamberg. "I am absolutely amazed at the level, the caliber and the intensity with which you are pursuing this project," he said, adding that his presentation was "exceptional."

The presentation engaged students and had them following along, much like a "mystery" being solved.

Bob McInnis, Joey's dad, said he was proud of his prodigy. "He's such a nice kid. He's loving this."

As for his "breakthrough" project, Joey is expected to be making presentations locally in weeks to come to share his work with the public. To start, he will give a talk at Peconic Landing on June 14 at 8 p.m.; the event is open to the public.

"I've always liked bees," he said. "This is just really great."

Added his mentor, "This has worldwide implications."