Our Lab Members
Professor Shai Meiri
Lab Manager
Erez Maza
e-mail: mazaerez@post.tau.ac.il
Post Doctoral fellows
Marco Antonio Ribeiro Junior
Since October 2018
Biogeography, taxonomy and conservation of the South American lizards. I am member of the project “Biogeography, Biodiversity and Conservation of Cis-andean Squamate Reptiles” that documents and interprets spatial variations in endemism and phylogenetic diversity, testing if the bio-geographical patterns are properly represented in the current protected area system in South America. At the Steinhardt Museum I am studying species-complexes of cryptic taxa widely distributed in Eastern Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa (Western Paleartic lizards).
Biogeography, taxonomy and conservation of the South American lizards. I am member of the project “Biogeography, Biodiversity and Conservation of Cis-andean Squamate Reptiles” that documents and interprets spatial variations in endemism and phylogenetic diversity, testing if the bio-geographical patterns are properly represented in the current protected area system in South America. At the Steinhardt Museum I am studying species-complexes of cryptic taxa widely distributed in Eastern Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa (Western Paleartic lizards).
Dr. Karin Tamar
In the lab: 2010-2017 - and again since late 2019!
Karin is doing her postdoc on the phylogeny and biogeographic history of (mostly) desert reptiles, co hosted by Salvador Carranza! (IBE-CSIC-UPF, Barcelona, Spain)
e-mail: karintmr@gmail.com
Karin is doing her postdoc on the phylogeny and biogeographic history of (mostly) desert reptiles, co hosted by Salvador Carranza! (IBE-CSIC-UPF, Barcelona, Spain)
e-mail: karintmr@gmail.com
Dr. Guy Sion
In the lab since 2017
Main research interests:
(a) Behavioural ecology. Focusing on social status and risk-taking strategy.
(b) Brain laterality and behaviour of vertebrates, focusing on reptiles and amphibia.
(c) Digit ratio 2:4 and digit asymmetry as markers for hormone levels and brain plasticity and laterality.
Guy is doing his postdoc on brain laterality and plasticity, focusing on risk behaviour of reptiles and amphibia.
E-mail: Guy.Sion@mail.huji.ac.il
In the lab since 2017
Main research interests:
(a) Behavioural ecology. Focusing on social status and risk-taking strategy.
(b) Brain laterality and behaviour of vertebrates, focusing on reptiles and amphibia.
(c) Digit ratio 2:4 and digit asymmetry as markers for hormone levels and brain plasticity and laterality.
Guy is doing his postdoc on brain laterality and plasticity, focusing on risk behaviour of reptiles and amphibia.
E-mail: Guy.Sion@mail.huji.ac.il
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Gopal Murali Since November 2019
Drivers of species diversification rates and endemism in Squamates. co-supervisor: Dr. Uri Roll (Ben-Gurion University) E-mail: goopaalmurali@gmail.com, Google scholar I am an engineer turned evolutionary ecologist fascinated by reptiles and have a broad interest in many areas of ecology and evolutionary biology. For my PhD dissertation, I investigated how animals use colour patterns against predation, especially when in motion using a range of tools, including approaches from experimental psychology, digital image processing, and comparative phylogenetic methods. Additionally, I have independently conducted field experiments to understand the determinants of contest outcome and multimodal signaling in dancing frogs from the southern Western Ghats. During my graduate studies, I have also developed a keen interest in macroecology, in specific, mechanisms governing species diversity. Currently, in collaboration with Uri Roll (Ben Gurion University of the Negev, where I am based), I aim to understand drivers of species diversification rates and endemism in Squamates. Email: goopaalmurali@gmail.com, twitter, Google scholar |
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Tali Magory Cohen
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Since December 2019
Living on the edge: cryptic diversity in peripheral populations of horseshoe and slit-faced bats, co-supervised by Dr. Eran Levin (Tel Aviv University) I am interested in how species and ecosystems respond to acute environmental changes with an emphasis on those induced by human impact. I study these questions by exploring animal behavior, evolutionary ecology and functional genomics, studying birds and mammals around the world. I am currently looking for a postdoctoral position in evolutionary ecology, conservation genomics or animal behavior. Find me here: Website Google Scholar |
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Ph.D. Students
Michaela Kolker
Since October 2016
Early life history of Fish in the Mediterranean Sea.
(co-supervisor: Roi Holtzman, Tel-Aviv University)
e-mail: kolkermi@mail.tau.ac.il
Rachel Schwarz
PhD: Since January 2017.
Aspects into the relationship between habitats and lizards Eco-physiological, morphological and behavioral traits.
(co -supervisor: David Chapple, Monash University, Australia)
MSc: 2014-2016
During my master, my research focus was on: Island biogeography of reptiles in the Greek islands (co supervisor: Prof. Panayiotis Pafilis)
e-mail: rachelschwarz13@gmail.com
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rachel_Schwarz
Aspects into the relationship between habitats and lizards Eco-physiological, morphological and behavioral traits.
(co -supervisor: David Chapple, Monash University, Australia)
MSc: 2014-2016
During my master, my research focus was on: Island biogeography of reptiles in the Greek islands (co supervisor: Prof. Panayiotis Pafilis)
e-mail: rachelschwarz13@gmail.com
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rachel_Schwarz
Guy Sinaiko
PhD: Since March 2018
I study the leafhopper genus Neoaliturus Distant in Israel, a genus which contains vectors of several plant diseases. Nine species are known to reside in Israel, three of which are considered species complexes, comprising an unknown number of species. My goal is resolving the taxonomy and phylogeny using an integrative taxonomic approach including behavioral, molecular and morphological analyses.
co-supervisor: Dr. Christopher Dietrich – Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, USA
MSc. 2014-2017
Taxonomy and phylogeny of racers (Platyceps "rhodorachis" complex)
(co-supervisor: Roi Dor, Tel-Aviv University)
E-mail: guysinaiko@mail.tau.ac.il
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Guy_Sinaiko
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=kZrMyZUAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/591411791222810
(Auchenorrhyncha of Israel - photographic observations by the public)
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/163967734@N07/
(Auchenorrhyncha of Israel - my specimens photos) - ask me for the password!
I study the leafhopper genus Neoaliturus Distant in Israel, a genus which contains vectors of several plant diseases. Nine species are known to reside in Israel, three of which are considered species complexes, comprising an unknown number of species. My goal is resolving the taxonomy and phylogeny using an integrative taxonomic approach including behavioral, molecular and morphological analyses.
co-supervisor: Dr. Christopher Dietrich – Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, USA
MSc. 2014-2017
Taxonomy and phylogeny of racers (Platyceps "rhodorachis" complex)
(co-supervisor: Roi Dor, Tel-Aviv University)
E-mail: guysinaiko@mail.tau.ac.il
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Guy_Sinaiko
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=kZrMyZUAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/591411791222810
(Auchenorrhyncha of Israel - photographic observations by the public)
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/163967734@N07/
(Auchenorrhyncha of Israel - my specimens photos) - ask me for the password!
M.Sc. Students
Adva (Olga) Peretz
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M.Sc. since October 2017
Archaeozoology and ecology of the water vole (Arvicola amphibious) Co-supervisor: Nimrod Marom (Haifa University) e-mail: advap70@gmail.com |
Gali Ofer
M.Sc. since March 2018
GARD 2.0 - Update the Global Assessment of reptile distributions to be wider and reliable, GIS expert
Co-supervisor: Uri Roll (Ben-Gurion University)
During the past decade I gained expertise in GIS and image analysis and conducted several projects in these fields. I had my heart set on conducting a B.Sc. in biology and was certain that I'll be back to work right after that. However, along my studies I discovered the fields of Biogeography and Macroecology which best combined my two passions of biology and spatial analysis. Currently I'm starting my M.Sc. looking at spatial patterns in the global distributions of land vertebrates, and I'm pretty sure I found my calling.
My co supervisor is Dr. Uri Roll and I am based (most of the time) at the School of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.
e-mail: galiofer@mail.tau.ac.il
GARD 2.0 - Update the Global Assessment of reptile distributions to be wider and reliable, GIS expert
Co-supervisor: Uri Roll (Ben-Gurion University)
During the past decade I gained expertise in GIS and image analysis and conducted several projects in these fields. I had my heart set on conducting a B.Sc. in biology and was certain that I'll be back to work right after that. However, along my studies I discovered the fields of Biogeography and Macroecology which best combined my two passions of biology and spatial analysis. Currently I'm starting my M.Sc. looking at spatial patterns in the global distributions of land vertebrates, and I'm pretty sure I found my calling.
My co supervisor is Dr. Uri Roll and I am based (most of the time) at the School of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.
e-mail: galiofer@mail.tau.ac.il
Liat Dror
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M.Sc. since October 2018
Activity rhythms of reptiles (specifically species from the Genus Ptyodactylus and Chalcides) Co-supervisor: Noga Kronfeld-schor (Tel-Aviv University) e-mail: liatdror290@gmail.com |
Anna Zimin
M.Sc. since October 2019
The factors that shape extinction risk in reptiles
Co-supervisor: Uri Roll (Ben-Gurion University)
A bird watcher, ringer (bander) & surveyor.
Although my experience is mostly ornithological, I am very much interested in exploring all vertebrates, as well as other taxa.
Before starting my M.Sc. in ecology, I've participated in several ornithological field research projects, starting near home and gradually expanding my ventures into the more remote corners of the Palearctic. With growing experience in fieldwork and the duration of each stay (reaching the span of entire migratory seasons), a new perspective on the temporal and spatial ecological dynamics started to reveal itself to me, inspiring to seek a deeper understanding through the tools of meticulous scientific research. Gaining these tools and using them for a better understanding of our ever-changing natural world is thus the main motivation behind my academic endeavors.
My current work focuses on the factors that shape extinction risk in reptiles, under the supervision of Shai and Dr. Uri Roll (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev).
e-mail: annazimin[at]mail.tau.ac.il
The factors that shape extinction risk in reptiles
Co-supervisor: Uri Roll (Ben-Gurion University)
A bird watcher, ringer (bander) & surveyor.
Although my experience is mostly ornithological, I am very much interested in exploring all vertebrates, as well as other taxa.
Before starting my M.Sc. in ecology, I've participated in several ornithological field research projects, starting near home and gradually expanding my ventures into the more remote corners of the Palearctic. With growing experience in fieldwork and the duration of each stay (reaching the span of entire migratory seasons), a new perspective on the temporal and spatial ecological dynamics started to reveal itself to me, inspiring to seek a deeper understanding through the tools of meticulous scientific research. Gaining these tools and using them for a better understanding of our ever-changing natural world is thus the main motivation behind my academic endeavors.
My current work focuses on the factors that shape extinction risk in reptiles, under the supervision of Shai and Dr. Uri Roll (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev).
e-mail: annazimin[at]mail.tau.ac.il
Goni Barki
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M.Sc. since October 2019
Elucidating drivers of global reptile rarity Co-supervisor: Uri Roll (Ben-Gurion University) I have always been fascinated by nature, whether as a city kid binging on National Geographic or as I grew older outdoors, mostly hiking the dessert. At a certain point, I realized that I want my life to revolve around this passion and started a B.Sc. in biology at the Ben Gurion University, during which I was drawn to ecology, especially to the field of spatial ecology. Out of growing care and awareness of the state of the natural world, I decided my next step will be studying and working in the field of conservation biology. I am now starting my M.Sc in the Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology in Sde-Boker, under the supervision of Dr. Uri Roll and Prof. Shai Meiri. e-mail: gonib@post.bgu.ac.il |
Lior Shak
M.Sc. since October 2019
My primary research interests surround factors that shape the risk of reptilian extinction. I am focusing on snakes’ intrinsic life-history traits that might put species in greater threat. I am also interested in expanding the criteria that determine species' IUCN Red List threat status. I plan to check whether certain biological attributes may cause threat status shifts, and the implication these have for conservation management.
In October 2019 I began my MSc under the supervision of Prof. Shai Meiri and Dr. Uri Roll, focusing on detecting important predictors of species’ extinction risk.
Prior to my master's degree, my interest in conservation biology led me to earn a Postgraduate Diploma of conservation biology at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
I also hold a bachelor's degree from the Department of Animal Sciences at the Hebrew University.
liorshak@mail.tau.ac.il
My primary research interests surround factors that shape the risk of reptilian extinction. I am focusing on snakes’ intrinsic life-history traits that might put species in greater threat. I am also interested in expanding the criteria that determine species' IUCN Red List threat status. I plan to check whether certain biological attributes may cause threat status shifts, and the implication these have for conservation management.
In October 2019 I began my MSc under the supervision of Prof. Shai Meiri and Dr. Uri Roll, focusing on detecting important predictors of species’ extinction risk.
Prior to my master's degree, my interest in conservation biology led me to earn a Postgraduate Diploma of conservation biology at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
I also hold a bachelor's degree from the Department of Animal Sciences at the Hebrew University.
liorshak@mail.tau.ac.il
Jacob Dembitzer
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M.S.c since March 2020
My research incorporates zoology and archaeology in order to understand the factors behind Pleistocene extinctions. I am also interested in what traits do species that survived this period have in common which made them resilient to anthropogenic forces or climate change. I hope that this will shed some light on which species are best adapted to handle anthropogenic forces and climate change today. In March 2020 I began my M.S.c under the supervision of Prof. Shai Meiri and Prof. Ran Barkai analyzing 1.5 million years of hominid hunting and species extinction in the Southern Levant. jacobd@mail.tau.ac.il |
Alumni
Dr. (not official yet but we don't care) Alex Slavenko
October 2013 - February 2020
Biogeography and evolution of the herpetofauna of Papua New Guinea across elevational gradients. And other stuff
see it all in his webpage
Alex is now a postdoc at Gavin Thomas's lab at the University of Sheffield!
e-mail: gluttony14@gmail.com
Biogeography and evolution of the herpetofauna of Papua New Guinea across elevational gradients. And other stuff
see it all in his webpage
Alex is now a postdoc at Gavin Thomas's lab at the University of Sheffield!
e-mail: gluttony14@gmail.com
David David
M.Sc. since October 2016-2020
Captive breeding and conservation, as well as digit asymmetry and laterality in the Eastern Spade foot toad - Pelobates syriacus.
Co-supervisor: Sarig Gafny (Rupin)
e-mail: davidavid6@walla.com
Captive breeding and conservation, as well as digit asymmetry and laterality in the Eastern Spade foot toad - Pelobates syriacus.
Co-supervisor: Sarig Gafny (Rupin)
e-mail: davidavid6@walla.com
Simon Jamison
M.Sc. October 2015-2018
Simon is currently working as a lab manager at Ofir levy's lab.
Simon studied the Natural history of little Israeli reptiles: Ophiomorus latastii, Eirenis decemlineatus, & Micrelaps muelleri.
Simon is the greatest threat to rare reptiles in Israel, as he inevitably finds that reptiles that other people could not locate for years are actually extremely common. We are considering patenting him as a reptile-locating and capturing device
e-mail: Simonjamisonrep@gmail.com
Simon is currently working as a lab manager at Ofir levy's lab.
Simon studied the Natural history of little Israeli reptiles: Ophiomorus latastii, Eirenis decemlineatus, & Micrelaps muelleri.
Simon is the greatest threat to rare reptiles in Israel, as he inevitably finds that reptiles that other people could not locate for years are actually extremely common. We are considering patenting him as a reptile-locating and capturing device
e-mail: Simonjamisonrep@gmail.com
Gavin Stark
M.Sc. October 2016-2018
Aspects of Vertebrate's Longevity
Doing his PhD (since November 2018) in Ofir levy's Lab, on the effects of global warming on the ecological interactions of species living in extreme environments, such as deserts.
Come and Visit me in the Judean Desert in Dead Sea Region in eastern Israel and I will show you some amazing desert animals!
e-mail: gavinstark89@gmail.com
Website - Wixs
Website - Weebly
Google Scholar
ResearchGate
BloGARD
Aspects of Vertebrate's Longevity
Doing his PhD (since November 2018) in Ofir levy's Lab, on the effects of global warming on the ecological interactions of species living in extreme environments, such as deserts.
Come and Visit me in the Judean Desert in Dead Sea Region in eastern Israel and I will show you some amazing desert animals!
e-mail: gavinstark89@gmail.com
Website - Wixs
Website - Weebly
Google Scholar
ResearchGate
BloGARD
Dr. Yuval Itescu (aka, prof. Ipescu, Herr Dr. Hrescu etc.)
Yuval was a part of the lab in 2010-2018. He is currently in Freie Universität Berlin doing his Post-Doc on urban biodiversity and invasive species in Jonathan Jeschke's group (http://www.jeschke.tk/).
He still likes very much to play with souvlaki-devouring insular reptiles though.
He is the leader of the new, accurate concept of bird taxonomy recognizing six species globally (sparrows, eagles, ducks, parrots, owls and chickens)
check out his cool Website
e-mail
Google scholar
ResearchGate
Twitter
He still likes very much to play with souvlaki-devouring insular reptiles though.
He is the leader of the new, accurate concept of bird taxonomy recognizing six species globally (sparrows, eagles, ducks, parrots, owls and chickens)
check out his cool Website
Google scholar
ResearchGate
Dr. Enav Vidan
2013-2017
Functional diversity and conservation of reptiles across scales (co supervisor: Yoni Belmaker, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: enavidan@gmail.com
Functional diversity and conservation of reptiles across scales (co supervisor: Yoni Belmaker, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: enavidan@gmail.com
Dr. Maria Novosolov
Since October 2012-September 2017 (MSc. Since October 2010)
Evolution of life history traits in island endemic lizards and their comparison to the mainland.
e-mail: marianovosolov@gmail.com
Maria is now a postdoc at the University of Copenhagen
Dr. Oliver Tallowin
October 2013-October 2017
My interests lie in reptile ecology, biogeography and conservation.
I am particularly interested in the herpetofauna of New Guinea
and conducting computer based modelling to elucidate patterns
in species richness, range size and turnover. I also conduct field
research in Papua New Guinea and intend to assess the effect
of elevational gradients on reptile life history traits.
(co supervisor: Dr. Allen Allison, Bishop Museum, Hawaii)
e-mail: ollyjst@gmail.com
Oliver is now at the UNEP-WCMC in Cambridge, UK
My interests lie in reptile ecology, biogeography and conservation.
I am particularly interested in the herpetofauna of New Guinea
and conducting computer based modelling to elucidate patterns
in species richness, range size and turnover. I also conduct field
research in Papua New Guinea and intend to assess the effect
of elevational gradients on reptile life history traits.
(co supervisor: Dr. Allen Allison, Bishop Museum, Hawaii)
e-mail: ollyjst@gmail.com
Oliver is now at the UNEP-WCMC in Cambridge, UK
Dr. Anat Feldman
October 2010 - August 2016
Snake macroecology
Anat studied everything snake - and digitized the global distribution of all of them! and did it fantastically well (but won't admit it)
e-mail: anatfeldman73@gmail.com
Lior Davis (M.Sc.)
October 2013 - February 2016
Character displacement in shorebirds and raptors
(co-supervisor: Tamar Dayan)
e-mail: liordavis@yahoo.com
Character displacement in shorebirds and raptors
(co-supervisor: Tamar Dayan)
e-mail: liordavis@yahoo.com
Yuval Baar (M.Sc.)
October 2013 - February 2016
size changes with time and temperature and global warming in insects (co supervisor: Inon Sharf, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: yuvalb1987@gmail.com
size changes with time and temperature and global warming in insects (co supervisor: Inon Sharf, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: yuvalb1987@gmail.com
Amir Lewin
October 2013 - October 2015
Macroecology of distribution patterns in African lizards
e-mail: amirlewin@hotmail.com
Amir is doing his PhD inTakuya Iwaura lab!
Macroecology of distribution patterns in African lizards
e-mail: amirlewin@hotmail.com
Amir is doing his PhD inTakuya Iwaura lab!
Dr. Alison Gainsbury (Postdoc)
August 2014 - August 2015
Global associations between climate, net primary productivity and lizard diet.
e-mail: alisongains@gmail.com
nowadays: Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Southern Florida
Global associations between climate, net primary productivity and lizard diet.
e-mail: alisongains@gmail.com
nowadays: Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Southern Florida
Daniel Berkowic (M.Sc.)
October 2009 - February 2011
Co-evolution of size and egg size in cuckoos and their hosts (co-advisor: Shai Markman, University of Haifa at Oranim)
e-mail: berko109@gmail.com
Daniel is doing a PhD with Roi Dor, Nir Sapir and Yossi Leshem. Something to do with black kites, and garbage, we think.
Co-evolution of size and egg size in cuckoos and their hosts (co-advisor: Shai Markman, University of Haifa at Oranim)
e-mail: berko109@gmail.com
Daniel is doing a PhD with Roi Dor, Nir Sapir and Yossi Leshem. Something to do with black kites, and garbage, we think.
Lital Dabool (M.Sc.)
October 2010 - March 2013
The “Island Syndrome” and reproductive strategies of squamates: a study of two biomes.
e-mail: litald2@gmail.com
Currently a Ph.D. student at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology
The “Island Syndrome” and reproductive strategies of squamates: a study of two biomes.
e-mail: litald2@gmail.com
Currently a Ph.D. student at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology
Amy Kadison (M.Sc.)
October 2011 - April 2014
Community assembly, resources and size extremes of island vertebrates. (co supervisor: Pasquale Raia, Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy).
e-mail: oh.how.amyrocks@gmail.com
Currently an M.Sc. student of Viticulture and Oenology in Europe.
Community assembly, resources and size extremes of island vertebrates. (co supervisor: Pasquale Raia, Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy).
e-mail: oh.how.amyrocks@gmail.com
Currently an M.Sc. student of Viticulture and Oenology in Europe.
Maya Spivak (M.Sc.)
October 2009 - December 2014
Taxonomy and phylogeny of Israeli shrews (co supervisor: Dorothee Huchon, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: maya.spiv@gmail.com
Taxonomy and phylogeny of Israeli shrews (co supervisor: Dorothee Huchon, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: maya.spiv@gmail.com
