The ICA (The Jewish Charitable Association) Awardees are Dr. Yael Arien, Dr. Itay Maoz, Dr. Dani Eshel, Dr. Ofir Bahar, Dr. Sefi Vernick and Dr. Daphna Gottlieb.
Dr. Yael Arien‘s research project – The project investigates how artificial diets affect the gut microbiome of honey bees, aiming to identify nutritional components that enhance bee health and pollination efficiency.
Dr. Sefi Vernick‘s research project – A smart environmental-agricultural sensor for monitoring critical ions in soil and water: This research develops a novel electrochemical microchip capable of simultaneously detecting key ions essential to both crop productivity and the health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The technology enables rapid, low-cost monitoring of agricultural fields, water bodies, and wetlands, supporting sustainable fertilization practices, ecological restoration, and responsible water management.
Dr. Daphna Gottlieb‘s research project – The global rise in pesticide-resistant grain storage pests forces warehouse owners to increase treatment frequency. Our research directly addresses this using the “slow-release” technology for parasitic wasps – a biological solution for grain loss developed by my Master’s student, Gilad Ben Moshe.
Dr. Ofir Bahar‘s research project – Pierce’s disease (PD), caused by bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, is a major constraint on the viticulture industry in California and was recently detected in Israel. Since then, hundreds of vines have declined rapidly, leading to substantial losses. Our research aims to develop management practices that promote recovery of infected vines, thereby reducing disease spread and minimizing economic impact.