Hovav Ran Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
- Institute of Plant Sciences
- Vegetable Field Crop Research
- Room No. 3035, Plant Sciences Institute
- +972-506220046
- +972-3-9683682
Biography
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 |
Research Interests
Genetic research and improvement of field crops with an emphasis on groundnuts (peanuts)
Research Areas
- 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