PEOPLE
A Collaborative & Diverse Group
Dr. EFRAT DENER
Post-doc
Efrat studies the evolution of seed dispersal traits in response to various external and internal factors. She loves to play with data, learn fancy statistical analyses and use as much high technology to solve problems as possible.
Manuel Jesús García Serrano
Ph.D student
Manuel's interest resides in the study of intraspecific variation in dispersal traits, laying the focus on the ecological levels at which such variation predominates and which ecological and evolutionary consequences it all entails. Additionally, as part of his project, he studies whether intraspecific variation in dispersal traits also implies differences in other phases of the plant life cycle, such as germination timing and seedling performance, and whether it might also promote alternative dispersal ways (eg, epizoochory in anemochorous species)
Shahar Oz
Ph.D student
Shahar studies the effects of landscape complexity on the assemblage of local natural enemies and their interactions as beneficial agents in conservation biological control.
She enjoys spending quality time outdoors with her dog and finding new exciting insects to nerd-out about.
Mona Blayer
M.Sc student
Amit Tuvia
Ph.D student
Amit studies phenotypic plasticity in the rose of Jericho in response to water and competition stress. She loves nature and traveling, and is always seeking to learn more.
Adi Einav
Lab technitian
Adi studied bat ecology, focusing on pest management and biological control. He loves being outdoors under the desert stars, both professionally and personally. Currently, he enjoys problem-solving as a technician in the lab.
ALUMNI
GAVRIELLA SHANI
Ms.C student
Gavriella (Gabi) studies the population dynamics, pollination and seed dispersal of the Iris petrana. She enjoys saving injured wild animals (sometimes domestic too).
GILAD BEN-ZVI
Ph.D student
Gilad worked on the population dynamics and seed dispersal of Sternbergia clusiana (the 'yolk flower'). While not working on his research, he spent time guiding tours in all terrains and at all weather conditions.
NATALI LEVINE
Ms.C
Natali Levine worked on the link between the reward that a myrmcochorous plant produce and the behavior of seed-dispersing ants. After finishing her research, she was involved in various conservation and restoration projects and worked as an ecology consultant. She loves to spend time outdoor and to know how different species of plants tatst.
DR. SI-CHONG CHEN
Post-Doc
is a former post-doc researching the evolution of dispersal traits of annual plants in fragmented landscapes. She is is interested in the macroecological patterns in seed dispersal, seed predation, seed storage behaviours and relevant disciplines. She is currently a researchers at the Kew Gardens.
YAEL AVIDAN
Ms.C
was a Ms.C student (co-supervised with P. Ofer ovadia) with a focus on the effect of distance from mature oak tree on oak seedling performance and their associated EM fungal community.
ARIELLE FARRELL
Ms.C
is a former Ms.C student (co-supervised with Prof. Osnat Gillor) that studied the relationship between two ecosystem engineers (harvester ants and shrubs) on the communities of annual plants and of the soil microbial community.