Aquatic (marine and freshwater) invertebrate biologist, with the goal of understanding the structure, spatial-temporal dynamics, and environmental interactions of diverse ecological communities. My lab's main methods combine classical morphological taxonomy with molecular techniques, including DNA barcoding, metabarcoding, eDNA, and optical approaches using AI for classification. We examine the diversity and functions of these species and communities through field observations and experiments. Our research spans a wide range of ecosystems, from shallow coastal seas and deep-sea environments to freshwater systems and caves.
Ongoing projects: 1. Cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies as ecological refugia and bioinvasion vector in the Southeastern Mediterranean Sea 2. Ecosystem effects of gelatinous zooplankton in oligotrophic seas 3. Effects of crude-oil and gas-condensate pollution on pelagic food webs at the Israeli Mediterranean Sea 4. Deep-sea colonization and metacommunity connectivity in the Israeli Mediterranean Sea 5. eDNALEV: Enhancing biodiversity assessments through eDNA analysis in the Levantine Sea 6. Applied research as a basis for outlining a policy for power cables laying in the Israeli Mediterranean 7. The biodiversity and ecology of cave dwelling crustaceans in the Levant (participating in GReG: https://www.gregproject.com/ennurisrael, https://www.gregproject.com/ayyalon-is)
Full list of publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=EVlMdPsAAAAJ&hl=en
Biogeochemistry
Biology of interactions
Cladistics
Conservation Biology
Ecology
Ecophysiology
Marine Biology
Parasitology
Phylogenetics
Phylogeography
Physiology
Population Biology
Zoology
Taxonomy
I wish to join the following projects:
1. Restore4Cave - My research focuses on the biology and ecology of stygofauna, primarily subterranean crustaceans, in Israeli groundwater ecosystems. I combine integrative taxonomy, eDNA approaches, microbiome analysis, ecophysiology, and environmental monitoring to study subterranean biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This work aligns closely with the project’s objectives of using biological indicators to assess restoration success in cave and groundwater habitats.
2. POWERNATURE - Although POWERNATURE primarily focuses on terrestrial ecosystems, I could contribute a complementary marine perspective. My research focuses on applied ecological studies supporting policy development for subsea power cable laying in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. This includes assessing ecological impacts of infrastructure corridors and integrating biodiversity considerations into marine spatial planning and conservation frameworks.
3. RestoreIAS - I study invasive alien species (IAS) dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, one of the world’s major marine bioinvasion hotspots. One of my research projects (eDNA-LEV) includes monitoring IAS and developing biodiversity assessment protocols using environmental DNA (eDNA) in Israeli and Cypriot Mediterranean waters, comparing biodiversity inside and otside MPAs. This expertise could support efforts to integrate invasion biology into ecosystem restoration and biodiversity management strategies.
1. Thalassa Marine Science: 21-22 May, 2026 Larnaca 2. JBS Jellyfish Bloom Symposium: 29 June 3 July, 2026, Cork 3. ISSB International Society of Subterranean Biology: 7-12 Sept 2026, Mangalia 4. ICES Annual Science Conference: 15-18 Sept 2026, Brest 5. WCMB World Conference on Marine Biodiversity: 17-20 Nov 2026, Bruges
If you would like to connect during any of these meetings, I would be very happy to do so. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out by email or to arrange a video call.