IOLR’s Next Generation of Scientists
Founded in 1967, the Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research institute has long attracted skilled marine researchers to its labs, research vessels and field programmes. Since science never stands still, recruiting gifted early-career scientists is vital for any research body that aims to stay at the leading edge. These newcomers bring up-to-date training and fresh viewpoints that energise the entire institution. IOLR has been delighted to welcome the outstanding researchers below to its faculty since 2013.
Dr. Timor Katz
PhD 2010, Hebrew University; at IOLR since 2014; NIO, Marine Geology. His research spans marine sedimentological processes including sediment fluxes, transport, accumulation and geochemical exchanges with the water column. Current projects look at biological resuspension in the sea, how terrestrial sediments enter the Gulf of Aqaba during desert flash floods and travel underwater as hyperpycnal plumes, the post-deposition spread of flood sediments, and the many environmental factors that shape sediment fluxes and composition across the Mediterranean.
Dr. Eyal Rahav
PhD 2013, Bar Ilan University; at IOLR since 2013; NIO, Marine Biology. He studies biological oceanography, focusing on what governs phytoplankton and bacteria biomass, diversity and physiological state, as well as bacterial and primary productivity and dinitrogen fixation rates in a range of aquatic ecosystems.
Dr. Peleg Astrahan
PhD 2010, Hebrew University; at IOLR since 2013; KLL, Organic Chemistry. His work centres on the chemistry of marine and freshwater organic matter, covering the type, distribution and fate of molecules such as polysaccharides, dissolved organic nitrogen, oil degradation products and pesticides. He also examines the unique microlayer ecosystem where water meets the atmosphere.
Dr. Shira Ninio
PhD 2004, Hebrew University; at IOLR since 2015; KLL, Microbiology. Her interests range across marine microbiology, bacterial biofilm formation, environmental microbial pathogens, Legionella pneumophila, bacteria–protozoa interactions, and molecular techniques for monitoring microorganisms in aquatic systems.
Dr. Yaron Be’eri Shlevin
PhD 2008, Ben-Gurion University; at IOLR since 2014; KLL, Geochemistry. He specialises in water geochemistry, with emphasis on trace element geochemistry, lake and oceanic sediments, the salinity challenges of Lake Kinneret, and the geochemistry of the Southern Jordan River.
Dr. Amir Bitan
PhD 2012, Ben-Gurion University; at IOLR since 2013; NCM, Marine Biology. His research includes stock enhancement through nutritional programming and epigenetic manipulation of fish embryos and larvae, using zebrafish and seabream as model species; appetite mechanisms and peptide absorption in farmed fish such as seabream, sea bass, grey mullet, grouper and bluefin tuna; and pinpointing the nutritional needs of fish and shellfish to create practical feed formulations that optimise growth.
Dr. Lior Guttman
PhD 2012, Hebrew University; at IOLR since 2013; NCM, Microbiology. He investigates innovative agro-technologies for biofiltering mariculture effluents with bacteria and other marine microorganisms, and studies microbial biodiversity and activity in complex settings (fish gut, biofilters and bioreactors, food chain and more) using advanced metagenomic sequencing. He also assesses microorganism-based diets (periphyton, bioflocks) as a food source for marine fish and shellfish, and how they affect culture health, performance and nutritional economy.
Dr. Galit Sharon
D.V.M., Ben-Gurion University; at IOLR since 2015; NCM, Marine Biology. Her interests cover fish health, immunology, pathology and parasitology; preventing and treating fish diseases; fish nutrition in aquaculture; and the proper care and use of aquatic animals in research.
News & Events
- Support us on Giving Tuesday 2016 — November 29th, 2016
- IOLR coral expert quoted on Gulf restoration — June 8th, 2016
- JNF-USA partners with IOLR on coral restoration research — March 9th, 2016
- Introducing IOLR’s new scientists — March 1st, 2016
- IOLR Prof. Buki Rinkevich addresses JNF Sustainability Summit — April 28th, 2013
- IOLR mourns loss of Prof. Tom Berman in Galapagos Islands — April 25th, 2013
- Murray Barbash, long-time Chairman of NAF-IOLR, gone at age 88 — March 22nd, 2013
- NCM’s Dr. Hanna Rosenfeld selected to light torch for Israel Independence Day 64 — April 24th, 2012
- NAF 2011 Annual Meeting in NY — November 7th, 2011
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- Revealing the Red-Tide-Like Phenomenon in Lake Kinneret
- Invisible Particles Foul Up Desalination Plants
- A Generic Integrated Mariculture System for the Mediterranean & Red Sea
- Underwater Gardening – Saving Coral Reefs
- NAF 2011 Annual Meeting in NY
- NCM’s Dr. Hanna Rosenfeld Selected to Light Torch for Israel Independence Day 64
- Murray Barbash, long time Chairman of NAF-IOLR, gone at age 88
- IOLR Mourns Loss of Prof. Tom Berman in Galapagos Islands
- IOLR Prof. Buki Rinkevich addresses JNF Sustainability Summit
- JNF-USA Partners with IOLR on Coral Restoration Research
- IOLR Coral Expert Quoted on Gulf Restoration
- SUPPORT US on GIVING TUESDAY 2016
- Introducing IOLR’s new scientists
Each of these researchers adds a distinct specialty — from marine geology and microbiology to geochemistry and aquaculture nutrition — to IOLR’s shared mission of understanding and protecting aquatic environments. Explore the Research Updates and News & Events sections to follow their work and the institute’s wider scientific programme.