About Us
Agroecology with an emphasis
on plant ecology
Investigate the breaking of uniformity in agriculture by innovative field designs to support the resilience of agroecosystems.
In particular - intercropping - integrated agricultural systems, agroforestry, and agriculture-wildlife interaction
Meet The Team
Dr. Oren Shelef
Principal Investigator
Interested in Agroecology, studying the interactions between agricultural systems and natural systems in order to maintain and improve the sustainability of both ends.
Looking at Diversifying agriculture in a variety of dimensions to support biodiversity and resiliency of agroecosystem.
I believe: diversified agriculture is the basis for having a solid system, which can provide a livelihood for growers, food for humans, and support a functioning ecosystem.
shelef@volcani.agri.gov.il
Dr. Dvora Namdar
Principal assistance
Analytical chemist, laboratory manager.
Among her other qualifications, she is also a lawyer and an archaeologist.
Uses her extensive knowledge to professionalize the work of all of us.
Eyal Ben-Simchon
Ph.D. candidate
Ph.D. student, HUJI
Redesigning agroecosystem diversity, Agroecology & Regenerative AG.
From the founders of a company that provides seed mixture matching services and consulting regarding the interface management of cover crops to farmers in Israel "Adama Chaya" (Live Land). Studied for a master's degree at Wicheningen University in the Netherlands.
eyalb@volcani.agri.gov.il
Roza Ayalkibet
Ph.D. candidate
Ph.D. student, HUJI
PRIMA Project: ALMEDALM – VALorization of MEDiterranean ALMond orchards through the use of intercropping integrated strategies
Investigating the effect of cover crops in almond orchards.
came to us from Ethiopia.
Maor Levy
Master's student, HUJI
He has been managing the kibbutz plantations of pomegranate and jojoba in Gdesh Shekma in the western Negev for more than a decade. Treats the plantation as an ecological system and not as a production line. He was able to reduce the application of sprays to almost zero and increase the water retention in the soil while using the interfaces of innovative agriculture. Learns a lot from observing the field itself even before that comes to the lab.
Anat Peleg
Master's student, Tel Aviv
Investigates the interactions between wildlife and agriculture and farmers. Identifies the harms and benefits of wildlife and looks for applicable solutions that will benefit both parties.
Kinneret Rosenblatt
Master's student, HUJI
Interested in the effect of combining crops on crop quality. Operates the NIRS (near infrared) device in the laboratory.
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Jonatan Fireman
Master's student, HUJI
Interested in the biological diversity below the ground, with an emphasis on the mesofauna. Develops sampling rooms for insects, worms and nematodes. An expert in identifying collembola under a microscope.
Dvora Wolicki
Master's student, HUJI
Master's student, HUJI
Perennial coppicing crop for feed, as a solution for annual floods, Chief scientist, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developement, Israel
Her research is carried out in agricultural areas that are flooded half of the year, the main challenge is to turn them from wasteland into productive agricultural areas.
Guy Yogev
Master's student, HUJI
Comes from a family of olive growers. Admiring the combined experimental orchards of olives and wheat in the study.
Zenawi Tadesse
Master's student, HUJI
He came to us from Ethiopia, interested in Collembola and the biological diversity in the soil.
Smadar Wininger
Research technician
Improving yields by using Micorrhiza fungi and symbiotic rhizobium, Agrobiodiversity.
