Dr. Jonathan Friedman, Dr. Amir Erez

Anthropogenic activities are causing massive environmental changes across the globe, including global warming, shifts in nutrient balance, and xenobiotics pollution. Such changes threaten numerous ecosystems including coral reefs, wetlands, and grasslands and can lead to their collapse. By merging theoretical and experimental approaches, we seek to develop early-warning indicators that can predict such catastrophic tipping points in ecosystems. Identifying vulnerable ecosystems will guide targeted conservation efforts and enable proactive measures for preventing irreversible damage and safeguard biodiversity.

Prof. Yeala Shaked Prof. Daniel Mandler

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been widely used in various fields, including environmental remediation, biomedicine, and industrial processes. However, systematic evaluation of the impact of IONPs on microorganisms in the sea is lacking. Further research and new techniques are required to develop appropriate strategies to mitigate any potential risks of IONPs to the marine environment. The Mandler group has developed different approaches for the synthesis and selective detection of well-defined IONPs. The Shaked group has developed radio-labeled-based uptake techniques to study the bioavailability of iron particles (nano to microsized) to marine phytoplankton and bacteria. In this project we combine our complementary chemical and oceanographical tool-kits to synergistically address this timely environmental concern. In this project we plan  to synthesize different well-defined IONPs and study their uptake by different microorganisms as well as their selective detection by a new approach termed Nanoparticles Imprinted Matrices (NAIM).

Dr. Michal Breker, Dr. Ofra Benny

Microalgae play an essential ecological role as vehicles of protein and metabolite production. While these single-cell organisms could potentially supply humanity’s growing demand for nutrients, their nutrient yields in liquid culture are currently insufficient. In this project, the Benny and Breker-Dekel labs will join forces to develop an out-of-the-box method for increasing biomass accumulation in cultivated microalgae: We envision the generation of biodegradable scaffolds of microbeads containing medium components or growth factors optimized for maximizing microalgae’s industrial proliferation capacity. This work should provide proof-of-concept for optimization procedures and pave the way for future cost-effective products for the food and cosmetics Industry.

Prof. Benny Chefetz, Dr. Shay Covo

Thiabendazole is a fungicide that is used to preserve fresh and packaged food. Although it is not applied to agriculture fields Israel, it has been detected in many agricultural plots across the country. It is suggested that Thiabendazole is introduced to arable land via the vast use of reclaimed wastewater in agriculture. In this project we aim to study the effect of Thiabendazole on the agroecology and specifically the fungal community in soils irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. Since at low doses Thiabendazole is a mutagen its release to the environment can also cause the emergence of fungal isolates that threaten human and environmental health.

Dr. Oren kolodny, Dr. Uri Davidovich, dr. Yoni Goldsmith, Dr. Yitzhak Yaffe

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Prof. Yehuda Neumark, Jordan Hannick, Dr. Emiliy Silverman, Dr. Nofar Avni

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Dr. Yair Mau, Dr. Niv De-Malach

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Dr. David Helman and Dr. Nadav Lensky

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Prof. Itay Fischendler and Prof. Ayal Kimhi

This project examines the tensions created by expanding use of utility-scale solar energy, which can create conflicts with other large land users.

Prof. Lioz Etgar and Prof. Amir Sa'ar

This project focuses on the development of more cost and energy efficient solar panels, which will be crucial to facilitating the transition to clean, sustainable sources of energy.

Prof. José Grünzweig and Dr. Nimrod Schwartz

This novel project aims to develop a digital application for mapping and monitoring urban trees and their root systems, with the goal of supporting healthy tree growth in our cities.

Dr. Lee Mordechai and Dr. Amit Tubi

In light of the threats posed by current and projected environmental changes, interest in the impacts of similar changes on past societies has increased dramatically. By studying past examples, we can analyze ‘complete experiments’ of human-environment interactions, with the hope of uncovering lessons for the present and future.

Dr. Itay Greenspan, Dr. Galit Cohen-Blankshtain, and Dr. Orna Shemer 

The project focuses on assessing the effectiveness of participatory climate assemblies organized by environmental NGOs in Israel. It seeks to understand whether these meetings were effective in stimulating local action to address the climate crisis.

Prof. Zvi Peleg, Dr. Ittai Herrmann, and Dr. Reut Barak Weekes

The OptiWheat project brings together cutting-edge plant science, remote sensing, and community assessment tools to increase food security in developing countries.