AMBER Research Group

I obtained my first degree at Kazan Federal University (Russia), where I studied the effects of dioxin intoxication on brain cells. Subsequently, I earned my master's degree at Lomonosov Moscow State University (Russia), studying the epithelial tissue of ctenophores.

My current PhD research project, conducted at the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, is dedicated to examining gelatinous zooplankton — specifically jellyfish and ctenophores — and the factors that affect their populations. I am especially interested in studying gelatinous zooplankton as hosts for other parasitic invertebrates. For my research I use a range of techniques including DNA barcoding, light and scanning electron microscopy, and underwater imaging. I am convinced of the importance of studying jellyfish populations near the shores of Israel: these fascinating creatures have a profound impact on various aspects of the environment and human activities.

Driven by my passion for marine ecology and advanced technology, I am a dedicated PhD student specializing in remote sensing and its application in understanding fish distribution and behavior. My research focuses on leveraging innovative techniques such as LiDAR, photogrammetry, and artificial intelligence to bridge the gap between underwater ecosystems and cutting-edge technology.

Through this interdisciplinary approach, I am uncovering insights into the intricate relationships between fish habitats and their behavior, contributing to the conservation and sustainable management of our marine environments. I am a student in the School of Environmental Sciences, supervised by Professor Anna Brook, Head of the Spectroscopy and Remote Sensing Laboratory, and Professor Dror Angel, Head of the Applied Marine Biology and Ecology Laboratory at the Department of Maritime Civilizations.

Our study deals with oil detection as an anomaly in the environment through the use of remote sensing and data from a variety of satellites, combined with methods of machine learning. Using this approach, the oil is viewed as pollution compared to a known baseline of water parameters, instead of identifying the oil itself.

One of our goals is to create a designated application for this purpose, allowing users from around the world to detect and monitor oil spills. We hope this study will result in tools that assist in early treatment of the risk factor, and therefore contribute to preventing future damage to the ecosystem and the environment due to oil spills. I am a student in the School of Environmental Sciences, supervised by Professor Anna Brook, Head of the Spectroscopy and Remote Sensing Laboratory, and Professor Dror Angel, Head of the Applied Marine Biology and Ecology Laboratory at the Department of Maritime Civilizations.

Hila studies the biology and ecology of the scyphomedusa Rhopilema nomadica with an emphasis on the early development stages (abiotic conditions aiding proliferation and prey-predator relationships). She was also a member of the GoJelly project team, which looks into practical methods of exploiting harmful jellyfish blooms — our team studies the use of jellyfish mucus to capture microplastics in waste-water treatment plants to prevent them from entering the marine environment. She has an M.Sc. in Zoology in the Ecology and Environmental Studies track from Tel Aviv University.

Zafrir has been studying scyphozoans for the past 12 years, specializing in the ecology of the medusa Rhopilema nomadica in the Mediterranean coastal waters of Israel. His main interests are the drivers of jellyfish blooms, mainly the cryptic stages of their life cycle.

Zafrir received his PhD from the Department of Maritime Civilizations at the University of Haifa and returned from a postdoc fellowship in Cape Town, South Africa. These days Zafrir is a researcher and the manager of the Coelenterates collection at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv.

Coming from the fields of biology, ecology and marine biodiversity, Ioannis clearly sees how our planet is threatened by a multitude of anthropogenic pressures. Recognizing the great need for marine nature preservation, conservation and restoration, Ioannis set out to unravel the true depth of the marine litter issue in Cyprus as part of his doctoral studies at the University of Haifa. Specifically, he looks at the densities, spatio-temporal distribution, accumulation zones, sources and pathways of marine plastic debris (macro and micro) in various marine habitats, including coastal fronts, the seafloor, surface waters and semi-submerged sea caves.