The ISF-NSCF Awardees are Dr. Nirit Bernstein, Dr. Hagai Raanan, Dr. Hagai Cohen, Dr. Murad Ghanim and Dr. Doron Teper!
Prof. Nirit Bernstein‘s research project – Effects of environmental factors on cannabis inflorescence development and secondary metabolites and
their molecular mechanisms.
Dr. Hagai Raanan‘s research project – This research investigates the potential of utilizing soil microalgae from biological soil crusts as a sustainable approach to enhancing soil fertility, stability, and pathogen resistance in drylands. By combining fieldwork in China and Israel with lab and greenhouse trials, it aims to develop eco-friendly strategies for resilient agriculture in arid regions. 
Dr. Murad Ghanim‘s research project – The project will examine factors influencing infection of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci populations, an important pest in agriculture, by a symbiotic bacterium, and how this infection shapes population structure and virus transmission in plants.
Dr. Doron Teper‘s research project – Plant pathogenic bacteria first survive on the leaf surface (epiphytic stage) and then multiply inside the plant, causing disease (endophytic stage) – yet the epiphytic stage has remained largely unexplored. In this study, we will investigate how Xanthomonas bacteria sense environmental signals and shift between these stages, aiming to uncover their adaptation mechanisms and pave the way for new strategies to manage foliar diseases. The research is supported by the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under their joint program.
Dr. Hagai Cohen‘s research project – Investigating the Roles of Lipid Transfer Proteins (LTPs) in Suberin Metabolism in Arabidopsis.