Ran Hovav Ph.D.

Senior Research Scientist

University Education and Additional Training

Dates	Description
1994-1997	B.Sc. in Crops Science (with distinction) at the Hebrew University, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel
1998-1999	M.Sc. in Crops Genetics (with distinction) at the Hebrew University, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel Title of thesis: The effects of a major gene for flowering time (PPD) and polygenes on time to flowering and grain weight in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) Supervision by: Prof. Shahal Abbo
2000-2005	Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at the Hebrew University, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel Title of thesis: Physiological, genetic and molecular characterization of a major gene responsible for dehydration of mature tomato fruit Supervision by: Dr. Ari Schaffer and Prof. Yosi Riiov
2005-2008	Postdoctoral position at Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA. with: Prof. Jonathan F. Wendel Research subject: Molecular evolution in cotton

Positions Held and Academic Status

Dates	Description
2008-2012	Research Scientist, ARO, Plant Sciences Institute, Department of Field Crops and Natural Resources, rank C (equivalent to “Lecturer”)
2013-2018	Research Scientist, ARO, Plant Sciences Institute, Department of Vegetable and Field Crops, rank B (equivalent to “Senior Lecturer”)
2019 to date	Research Scientist, ARO, Plant Sciences Institute, Department of Vegetable and Field Crops, rank A (equivalent to “Associate Professor”)
2021-2024	Head, Department of Vegetables and Field Crops Research, ARO

Genetic research and improvement of field crops with an emphasis on groundnuts (peanuts)

Genetic improvement of the content and quality of the oil in peanuts including the development of varieties with a high oleic fatty acid content
Genetic improvement of the pod quality features for export in the shell: the tint of the shell, the strength of the shell, the appearance of the pod
Genetic improvement of the taste properties in seeds: sweetness, crunch, seed size, resistance to breakage
Development of varieties with crop stability under different conditions, including temperature effects, soil type and irrigation conditions
Studying the genetic basis of key trait control in peanuts
Locating genetic markers and isolating genes for key traits in growing and marketing peanuts
Developing resistance to soil diseases such as white mold
Research and development of advanced technologies to improve agricultural properties
Development of innovative products for the treatment and prevention of peanut allergy