https://gojelly.eu/partners/ort-braude-college-for-engineering/

Developing analytical techniques (i.e. SEM, DLS, TEM, micro-Raman, micro FT-IR, Fluorescence Microscope , ELISA, viscometry, NGS) for analyzing micro- and nano- plastics from WWTPs effluents.
Developing, testing and promoting a gelatinous solution to microplastic pollution by developing a TRL 5-6 prototype microplastics filter made of jellyfish mucus.
Developing methods for quantification and removal of hazardous nanoparticles from aqueous solutions.
Writing multidisciplinary research grants
Mentoring and intructing undergraduate and graduate engineering students.

Preparation of reports concerning toxic microalgae prolifiration in WA rivers

Originally enlisted to analyze and resolve an error regarding the integrity of their lipid analysis methodology within an unprofitable department marked for closure, as well as to oversee samples processing to facilitate improved in-house scientific analyses.
• Identified the usage of a stabilized solvent during the solvent extraction process as the root cause of the erroneous analyses.
• Optimized extraction and methylation procedures to bolster the yield and efficiency of phospholipid fatty acid analyses in the characterization of microbial colonies.
• Improved throughput by implemented new methodology for commercial analysis of microbial communities.
• Created and implemented process to ease the quantification of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (endotoxin).
• Performed and oversee regular analyses of microbial community structures in soils, water and BioSep beads using PLFA and Stable Isotope Probing.
• Analyzed and processed data via multivariate statistics and comprehensive reporting techniques to identify the occurrence of reductive dechlorination processes in client samples.

My work at Bar Ilan University in collaboration with Rutgers University, New Jersey has introduced me into the world of marine biology and oceanography. The main objectives of my research project were to develop and apply diagnostic markers of programmed cell death (PCD) in the planktonic marine cyanobacteria Trichodesmium in both `laboratory and field populations of Trichodesmium, under different environmental conditions, as a means to assess their activation in natural assemblages.
Initial results suggest that several of the tested biochemical and physiological markers were particularly useful indicators of PCD. Induction of PCD in Trichodesmium cells was associated with increased caspase-like enzymatic activities and with elevated production of transparent extrapolymeric particles (TEP) coupled with a decrease in both cell counts and photosynthetic efficiency. In addition, the PLFA profiles of PCD induced cells were modified compared with normal healthy cells.

Food biochemistry - exploring the fine line between yield production and quality.
In addition to subjects in soil microbiology, I have pursued research assessing the influence of various agrotechnical methods on the yield and biochemical profile (fatty acids, polyphenols, acidity & peroxide) of virgin olive oil.
Published several papers detailing the effects of nutrient's concentrations, harvest date, maturity index and the modification of technological parameters related to the extraction system on the oil yield and quality.

As a postdoctoral fellow at the Hebrew University/Volcani Center, I have been moving into new research areas. Amongst the topics of research were microbial succession in biological soil crust in relation to climate change and the factors affecting the microbial community structure in desert landscapes. The importance of this work is that it suggests that the biological activity of shrubs through root exudates and plant litter surpass the role of abiotic and climate characteristics in shaping the microbial community structure in patchy desert ecosystems. In another related study I have demonstrated that different aridity levels in desert ecosystems corresponded with the microbial successional stage of biological soil crust and that the latter can be used for prediction of future global climate change scenarios.

As a postdoctoral fellow at Ben-Gurion University, I was introduced into the field of molecular microbiology. I have tackled the problem of biofouling in wastewater membrane bioreactors using a combined molecular (DGGE, cloning, sequencing and construction of phylogenetic trees) and biochemical approach (PLFA analysis). The study successfully identified the culprit pioneer bacteria responsible for the biofilm development and established the relations between operation parameters and the development of biofilm.

Ecological impact of Acid Rock Drainage on Australian rivers.
Microbial community structure of impacted sediments using GC-MS and LC-MS analyses of respiratory ubiquinones and PLFA; BIOLOG and enzymatic assays; traditional microbiological methods; multivariate statistics of the data.

Patent drafting (PCTs and provisionals), office actions, patentability and freedom to operate analysis, prior art search.

International collaborative study to standardise media for assessment of food fungal pathogens

Paternity tests; Wrote and submitted report for special in-house project to establish the relation between microdeletions in the AZF regions of chromosome Y and male infertility.