The People Behind the Science.

Dr. Berenshtein is a quantitative marine ecologist and a bio-physical oceanographer, studying complex interactions in the ocean. In his research, he focuses on the role of early life stages of fish in the marine ecosystem, as these stages often drive large-scale population dynamics, while at the same time representing one of the greatest knowledge gaps in marine ecology.

I am a molecular neuroscientist and marine biologist with a strong background in genetic manipulation, animal behavior, and microscopy. Driven by a deep fascination with life and development, I am passionate about protecting marine ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.

I am a molecular biologist with a strong background in stem cell biology. My research combines molecular, genetic, and imaging approaches to study fundamental biological processes. I am passionate about supporting high-quality scientific research and fostering collaborative research through effective laboratory management.

Dr. Solomon Efriem is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Haifa's Department of Marine Biology and a Senior Laboratory worker at the National Residue Control Lab, Kimron Veterinary Institute. At Haifa's Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, he studies environmental pollutant effects on larval fish biology and behavior in Israeli estuaries under Dr. Igal Bernshtein's guidance.

Yael Merlis is an M.Sc. student in the Ocean Health Lab, studying the effects of oil-derived PAHs on early life stages of marine fish. Her research focuses on survival, swimming performance, and behavioral responses of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae exposed to PAH-contaminated seawater. She is interested in marine pollution, larval vulnerability, and the ecological links between contaminant exposure, behavior, and connectivity. Her work combines laboratory experiments, behavioral analysis, chemical exposure verification, and scientific diving.

Omri is a Ph.D. candidate. His research focuses on developing quantitative models to assess species-specific sensitivity to marine pollution across the Eastern Mediterranean.

Elias’s research focuses on ichthyoplankton ecology, larval dispersal, and marine connectivity in the Eastern Mediterranean. By combining field sampling, molecular techniques, and hydrodynamic modeling, he investigates the processes shaping fish larval transport and population connectivity to support marine conservation and management.

Adi’s research focuses on the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to study marine mammals along the Israeli Mediterranean coast. The project examines marine mammal presence and biodiversity in the region through molecular-based ecological monitoring.