Lab members
Prof. Gil Rilov
Senior Researcher, Head of Lab
My research explores the patterns, dynamics and processes that shape marine communities, especially rocky shores and subtidal reefs. I am interested in the structure of communities and what affects their diversity, including larval recruitment, species interactions (predator-prey, competition, facilitation), overfishing, bioinvasions, climate change. I also study how marine communities function and what ecosystem services they provide. I am investigation nature base solution designed to protect these fascinating communities, their functions and services (including Blue Carbon) through, for example marine protected areas. So far, I have been fortunate to conduct research on the shores of Israel (Mediterranean and Red Sea), the USA, New Zealand, Brazil, Chile and South Africa, Crete, Cyprus and Italy (Ischia). I have worked on rocky shores, subtidal reefs, coral reefs and seagrass.
I am also a Professor in the Marine Biology Department in the Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences at the University of Haifa. I teach there a marine ecology course.
Research Assistants
Guy Raanan
Lab Manager
Main responsibilities: Operation and maintenance of experimental facilities: benthocosm, temperature and acidification microcosms and the tidalcosom. Execution of the subtidal diving surveys. Processing of photoquadrats.
B.Sc- Marine Biology, Ruppin Academic Center.
M.Sc- Analysis of Late Cretaceous Tsunami event deposits, The Dr. Moses Strauss Department of Marine Geosciences, University of Haifa.
Shai Zilberman
Lab Technician
Managing the national intertidal biodiversity monitoring and database along the Israeli coast. involved in conducting experiments for research concerning climate change, ecosystem functions, and biodiversity community structure for native and invasive organisms , all while gaining a better understanding of the Mediterranean rocky reef ecosystem by utilizing advanced data approach research.
B.Sc - Biology and Earth Sciences ,Hebrew University
M.Sc- Biology, Bar-Ilan University.
Yuval Sonego
Lab Technician
Since I was child I always had a great love and curiosity for the mysteries of the ocean.
Here in the lab I'll be focusing on the canopy forming algae Gongolaria, and the interactions between the various ecological communities.
B.Sc- Marine Biology, Ruppin Academic Center.
Ril-ROV
Underwater Explorer and Survey Assistant
Hi, I’m Ril-ROV! As a BlueROV in this incredible lab, I’ve always been captivated by the mysteries of the ocean. From the moment my propellers first spun, I’ve felt a strong connection to the marine world.
My main role is to dive into the depths to assist with monitoring efforts and underwater surveys. I help students and technical staff explore and document the wonders of the Israeli rocky shore, tracking changes and gathering critical data on marine ecosystems. Whether it’s recording the presence of alien species or mapping submerged habitats, I’m always ready to lend my high-definition eyes and steady robotic hands to the cause.
I’m proud to contribute to this lab’s mission of understanding and protecting the ocean’s delicate balance in the face of climate change. Let’s dive in together!
Certified Deep-Dive Technology and Marine Exploration Specialist (manufactured expertise, but impressive nonetheless!)
Current Students
Iris Preiss
Ph.D. candidate
The current climate change, the resulting rapid warming of seawater and increase in extreme weather events influence dramatically the composition and functioning of species of intertidal, and subtidal rocky shore communities. Within the context of a large European project, FutureMARES, I will study the vulnerability, resilience and adaption of these ecosystems to warming at local and regional scales, focusing on sea urchins, intertidal gastropods, and algae using ecological and molecular methods. This knowledge would serve as input for advanced ecological models assessing the current and future status of eastern Mediterranean costal ecosystems compared to those in the western Mediterranean and the European Atlantic. The results will be use to inform management and to develop nature-based solutions within the FutureMARES context.
Co-supervisor: Prof. Ilana Berman-Frank, Marine Biology, Haifa University
B.Sc. – Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University
M.Sc. - Life Sciences, Zoology, Tel Aviv University
Anton Kovalev
Ph.D. candidate
My research aims to investigate the cumulative impacts of climate change and anthropogenic pressures on Southeastern Mediterranean intertidal benthic communities. It seeks to understand how combinations of stressors, such as warming, acidification, oil and heavy metal pollution, and invasive species, affect key species within these ecosystems. Additionally, I am interested in the interplay between abiotic and biotic factors influencing the intricate relationships among closely related cryptic species (such as Mytilus spp.), mussel ecophysiology, and metabolic allometry. Co-supervisor: Prof. Smadar Ben Tabou de Leon, Marine Biology Department, Haifa University B.Sc. – Department of Invertebrate Zoology, St. Petersburg University
M.Sc. – Department of Invertebrate Zoology, St. Petersburg University
Erez Yeruham
Ph.D. Candidate
My PhD project deals with the physiological mechanisms behind range distribution shifts of herbivorous fish, as a result of climate change.
Co-supervisor Dr. Daniel Chernov (University of Haifa)
B.Sc- Marine Biology , Ruppin Academic Center.
M.Sc- Zoology, Tel Aviv University.
Alhassan Mukaila
M.Sc. candidate
My previous academic and research experiences have predominantly been in the fields of biotechnology and microbiology, I am eager to explore new avenues for my graduate studies and contribute to research in marine ecology. I find investigating the impact of climate change and local stressors on marine biodiversity to be an incredibly fascinating area of research. As part of the ACTNOW project, a European initiative aimed at understanding and predicting the effects of multiple drivers on marine biodiversity, my research will focus on conducting a multi-parameter approach study. This study will assess the ecological resilience of Mediterranean intertidal organisms, specifically mussels and topshells, to seasonal and sewage pollution. This interdisciplinary research will employ ecological, chemical, and molecular methods. The outcome of this work aims to provide evidence-based management strategies for mitigating the impacts of sewage pollution on Mediterranean intertidal ecosystems, safeguarding the health and resilience of these environments and the organisms within them.
BSc. - Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, University for Development Studies
Herman Goldberg
M.Sc. candidate
My research will investigate the impacts of climate change and local stressors on Mediterranean reef species and their community resilience.
B.Sc- Environmental science, IIUEPS
Gershon Kalyan
M.Sc. candidate
My research will focus on several algae species resilience to multi-stressors in today's changing sea conditions in different depths and areas.
B.Sc- Soil and Water Sciences , the Hebrew University
Neta-Ly Lipkin
M.Sc. candidate
Neta-Ly, a bachelor’s in marine biotechnology from Ruppin academic center, was always curious about the great mysteries of the ocean and since she was a teenager integrated diving as a part of her life. My research concentrates on the Spatial-temporal plasticity of the native seagrass Halophila stipulacea under changing environment, regarding its responses to contemporary and future environmental trends. H.stipulacea is particularly interesting as it is the only seagrass species to migrate from the Indian ocean and establish itself in the Caribbean
Co-supervisor Dr. Gidon Winters (DSASC)
B.Sc- Marine Biology , Ruppin Academic Center.
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Natalia Vasekha
Ph.D. candidate
I have always had a great wish to explore the diverse life of the oceans. I am particularly interested in studying species interactions and food webs, which are crucial to understanding the overall picture of marine ecosystems. My research will focus on the effects of the tropicalization of Levant reefs on food web structure, functional diversity and ecosystem functions in Israel and Cyprus. The aim is to compare communities structure and assess the cumulative impacts of environmental changes on reef systems, including regional invasions.
Co-supervisor: Prof. Smadar Ben Tabou de Leon, Marine Biology Department, Haifa University
B.Sc. – Department of Biogeography, Lomonosov Moscow State University
M.Sc. – Department of Biogeography, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Nadine awwad
M.Sc. candidate
My passion for marine biology began in childhood, evolving into a profound curiosity about aquatic life, limnology, and oceanography, which ultimately led me to pursue a bachelor's degree in marine biology at Ruppin Academic Center.
My master’s research will explore the impact of environmental changes on fish larvae along the Israeli Mediterranean coast, focusing on varying pollution and temperature conditions. The study will examine how these factors influence fish development and survival, and assess the potential for adaptation in fish populations. Ultimately, it aims to deepen our understanding of how fish species might cope with ongoing environmental changes, contributing to marine conservation and management.
Co-supervisor: Dr. Nir Stern
B.Sc- marine and environmental science, Ruppin Academic Center.