Welcome to the Shenkar lab home page

The main research in our laboratory is focused in two main topics: on the taxonomic level:
1) biodiversity of the class Ascidiacea, and on the ecological level 2) marine bioinvasion and the use of ascidians as biological indicators of marine environments. 
​
​Ascidians are a key ecological group because of their invasive potential and ability to thrive in eutrophic (nutrient-rich) environments. Introductions of non-indigenous ascidians into harbors in both tropical and temperate waters are now commonplace, with the rate of introductions increasing and creating severe damage to natural fauna by overgrowth and alternation of the benthic community. The proximity of the Red Sea coral reef environment and the Israeli Mediterranean rocky shore, together with the opening of the Suez Canal, presents unique opportunities for studying marine bioinvasion along the coasts of Israel, and to explore the great potential of ascidians as bio-indicators of marine environments.   
 

All rights reserved to Noa Shenkar, School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Science

Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978 ISRAEL, AND The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, National Research Center

Lab News:
2018
Congratulations Prof. Shenkar for obtaining a tenure appointment and a promotion!
Congratulations Tal for winning the Zoology Society Travel fellowship to attend the Euro Evo Devo Meeting!
Congratulations to Tal Gordon for winning the GRTF scholarship!
Congratulations to Gal Vered for an excellent thesis defense! 
2017
"Kol-Hakavod" to Roni and Hila for defending their masters so successfully! 
Congratulations to Tal Gordon and Gal Vered for receiving a travel fellowship to support their participation at the SETAC meeting, Brussels (Gal), and the Tunicata meeting, NY (Tal)!
Kodus to Tal Gordon for winning the SDB Emerging Models Award!