Teaching
Teaching and mentoring students has been my passion and a driving force throughout my academic career.
I find enormous satisfaction in developing courses that expose students to the great wonders of the underwater world, and specifically in leading scientific outreach activities for youth from low social-economic background.
2016-2024 courses:
Principles in Zoology (3 credit points, undergrad level)
The Invertebrates: Comparative Functional Biology (6 credit points, undergrad level)
Research Skills Course (2 credit points, graduate)
Discovering the Sea (2 credit points, undergrad level, outreach course "pathways to the university")
Biology and Systematics of Marine Invertebrates IUI, Eilat (4 credit course, undergrad level)
Teaching and mentoring students has been my passion and a driving force throughout my academic career.
I find enormous satisfaction in developing courses that expose students to the great wonders of the underwater world, and specifically in leading scientific outreach activities for youth from low social-economic background.
2016-2024 courses:
Principles in Zoology (3 credit points, undergrad level)
The Invertebrates: Comparative Functional Biology (6 credit points, undergrad level)
Research Skills Course (2 credit points, graduate)
Discovering the Sea (2 credit points, undergrad level, outreach course "pathways to the university")
Biology and Systematics of Marine Invertebrates IUI, Eilat (4 credit course, undergrad level)
Advancing Women in Science
As the first female marine biologist among Tel-Aviv University’s academic staff, I see great importance in providing inspiration and support to assist other female scholars in the field of Natural Science to achieve their goals while balancing between family and career. I provide advice and assistance to the Dean of Gender Equality, Tel-Aviv University, and am acting to promote post-doctoral fellowships for women to encourage post-doctoral studies abroad. In addition, I established a lactation room in our faculty for mothers returning from maternity leave .
Useful links:
EU She figures 2018
For Women in TAU
The Israel National Postdoctoral Program for Advancing Women in Science
Lahav 2010
How to survive and thrive in the mother-mentor marathon MOL CELL 38: 477-480
Photo: School of Zoology, International Women's Day Celebrations March 2018
As the first female marine biologist among Tel-Aviv University’s academic staff, I see great importance in providing inspiration and support to assist other female scholars in the field of Natural Science to achieve their goals while balancing between family and career. I provide advice and assistance to the Dean of Gender Equality, Tel-Aviv University, and am acting to promote post-doctoral fellowships for women to encourage post-doctoral studies abroad. In addition, I established a lactation room in our faculty for mothers returning from maternity leave .
Useful links:
EU She figures 2018
For Women in TAU
The Israel National Postdoctoral Program for Advancing Women in Science
Lahav 2010
How to survive and thrive in the mother-mentor marathon MOL CELL 38: 477-480
Photo: School of Zoology, International Women's Day Celebrations March 2018
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
2003-2008 Ph.D. student Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. Topic: Ecological aspects of the ascidian community along the Israeli coasts”. Advisor: Prof. Yossi Loya. Authorized July 2008.
2001-2003 M.Sc. student Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel, Program in Ecology and Environmental Quality Summa Cum Laude. Topic: Bleaching dynamics of the coral Oculina patagonica. Advisor: Prof. Yossi Loya
1999-2001 B.Sc. Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University
1998-1999 B.Sc. Biology Program of Excellence, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
November 2018 Associate Professor, School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
October 2012 Senior lecturer, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
December 2011- September 2012 Research fellow, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
2009-2011 Post-doctoral fellow Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Topic: “Molecular and Morphological Approaches to Ascidian Phylogeny and Systematics”. Advisor: Prof. Billie J Swalla
April 2008-December 2008 Post-doctoral fellow supported by VATAT, National Collections of Natural History, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
EXTERNAL GRANTS (PI: Shenkar N)
2024-2027 Ministry of Environmental Protection (co PIs: Prof. Dror Avisar, Dr. Ines Zuker) "Plastic pollution in marine environments: from field monitoring to physiological impacts" 600,000 NIS
2023-2027 Israel Science Foundation "Impact of global change on ascidian physiology and distribution" 280,000 NIS per year
2023-2025 TAD and Google, AI and Data Science for Sustainability (co-PI: Prof. Tal Pupko) "Harnessing AI for development of novel approaches to control the spread of invasive species by marine vessels" $200,000
2020-2023 Israel Science Foundation-NSFC (co PI: Prof. Aibin Zhan, Chinese Academy of Sciences) "Mechanisms of rapid local adaptation in marine invaders: ascidians as a case study" 360,000 NIS per year
2016-2017 Schulich Ocean Studies Centre Initiative (co PI: Dr. Sarah Stewart-Clarck, Dalhousie University) "Marine bioinvasions of ascidians in tropical and coastal ecosystems" C$ 75,000
2015-2019 Israel Science Foundation "Ascidians (Chordata, Ascidiacea) as bio-indicators of the marine environment- from ecological, physiological, and cellular perspectives" 250,000 NIS per Year (in addition to New Faculty Equipment Award)
2015-2017 The U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (co PI: Susanna López-Legentil, UNCW) "Hidden allies: The potential contribution of symbiotic microbes to the ecology and invasive potential of introduced ascidians" $150,000
2012-2016 The European Commission Marie Curie Career Integration Grants (CIG) €100,000
2013-2015 The German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development Young Scientists’ Program €40,000
2014 Yad-Hanadiv Ecosystem Services in Marine Environments: International Workshop Series. Workshop title: “Marine Bioinvasion in the Mediterranean: toward large-scale studies”. $40,000
Israel Taxonomy Initiative “Biodiversity of Ascidians in the Gulf of Eilat” $9,500
Israel Taxonomy Initiative “Ascidian Taxonomy Workshop” together with Miss. Gretchen Lambert, University of Washington. $5,000
TEACHING AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2017- current Associate Editor BioInvasions Records Journal
2015- current Topic Editor Frontiers in Marine Science Journal (taxonomy)
2015- current Associate Editor Aquatic Invasions Journal
2015- current Editorial Board, European Commission, "European Alien Species Information Network - EASIN"
2011- current Associate Editor and creator of “Ascidiacea World Database” http://www.marinespecies.org/
2016- Jeju Nantional University, Republic of Korea. Lecturer: Taxonomy and Ecology of Ascidians
2016- current Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Lecturer. Course: Discovering the Sea
2014- current Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Lecturer. Course: Research Skills Course
2013-current Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Lecturer. Course: The Invertebrates: Comparative Functional Biology
2014 Israel Taxonomy Initiative, Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences Eilat, Co-Instructor (with Gretchen Lambert): International Workshop on Taxonomy and Biology of Ascidians
2010 University of Washington, Friday Harbor Laboratories, Instructor. Course: Marine Invertebrate Zoology
HONORS AND AWARDS
2023 Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, amongst 100 excellent lecturers.
2022 Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, Rector Excellence in teaching.
2021Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, amongst 100 excellent lecturers.
2018 Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, Rector Excellence in teaching.
2016 Ministry of Science Technology and Space Exhibition “Israeli discoveries and developments that influenced the world”
2015 Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, amongst 100 excellent lecturers.
2014 Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, amongst 100 excellent lecturers.
2013 Caroline von Humboldt Prize to outstanding junior female scientists €15,000
2009-2011 Israel Taxonomy Initiative Post-doctoral fellowship
2008 Dan David Prize for outstanding post-doctoral students of exceptional promise $10,000
2006 Weizmann Institute of Science, Katzir travel fellowship
2006 The Smithsonian Tropical Institute, Bocas Research Station, Panama. Fellowship supporting my participation in the “Taxonomy & Biology of Tunicates” workshop.
2005, 2006 The Rieger Foundation- Jewish National Fund Program for Environmental studies. $10,000
2005 The Porter School of Environmental Studies Excellence Award.
The Fishelson prize for academic accomplishments in marine biology research, Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.
Adesman travel scholarship, Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.
The Herman Leon scholarship for excellence in teaching, Office of the Dean of Students.
2003 The Heertge Foundation scholarship for academic accomplishments, Office of the Dean of Students.
Adesman travel scholarship, Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.
Summer course Fellowship Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington
2003-2008 Ph.D. student Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. Topic: Ecological aspects of the ascidian community along the Israeli coasts”. Advisor: Prof. Yossi Loya. Authorized July 2008.
2001-2003 M.Sc. student Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel, Program in Ecology and Environmental Quality Summa Cum Laude. Topic: Bleaching dynamics of the coral Oculina patagonica. Advisor: Prof. Yossi Loya
1999-2001 B.Sc. Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University
1998-1999 B.Sc. Biology Program of Excellence, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
November 2018 Associate Professor, School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
October 2012 Senior lecturer, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
December 2011- September 2012 Research fellow, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
2009-2011 Post-doctoral fellow Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Topic: “Molecular and Morphological Approaches to Ascidian Phylogeny and Systematics”. Advisor: Prof. Billie J Swalla
April 2008-December 2008 Post-doctoral fellow supported by VATAT, National Collections of Natural History, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
EXTERNAL GRANTS (PI: Shenkar N)
2024-2027 Ministry of Environmental Protection (co PIs: Prof. Dror Avisar, Dr. Ines Zuker) "Plastic pollution in marine environments: from field monitoring to physiological impacts" 600,000 NIS
2023-2027 Israel Science Foundation "Impact of global change on ascidian physiology and distribution" 280,000 NIS per year
2023-2025 TAD and Google, AI and Data Science for Sustainability (co-PI: Prof. Tal Pupko) "Harnessing AI for development of novel approaches to control the spread of invasive species by marine vessels" $200,000
2020-2023 Israel Science Foundation-NSFC (co PI: Prof. Aibin Zhan, Chinese Academy of Sciences) "Mechanisms of rapid local adaptation in marine invaders: ascidians as a case study" 360,000 NIS per year
2016-2017 Schulich Ocean Studies Centre Initiative (co PI: Dr. Sarah Stewart-Clarck, Dalhousie University) "Marine bioinvasions of ascidians in tropical and coastal ecosystems" C$ 75,000
2015-2019 Israel Science Foundation "Ascidians (Chordata, Ascidiacea) as bio-indicators of the marine environment- from ecological, physiological, and cellular perspectives" 250,000 NIS per Year (in addition to New Faculty Equipment Award)
2015-2017 The U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (co PI: Susanna López-Legentil, UNCW) "Hidden allies: The potential contribution of symbiotic microbes to the ecology and invasive potential of introduced ascidians" $150,000
2012-2016 The European Commission Marie Curie Career Integration Grants (CIG) €100,000
2013-2015 The German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development Young Scientists’ Program €40,000
2014 Yad-Hanadiv Ecosystem Services in Marine Environments: International Workshop Series. Workshop title: “Marine Bioinvasion in the Mediterranean: toward large-scale studies”. $40,000
Israel Taxonomy Initiative “Biodiversity of Ascidians in the Gulf of Eilat” $9,500
Israel Taxonomy Initiative “Ascidian Taxonomy Workshop” together with Miss. Gretchen Lambert, University of Washington. $5,000
TEACHING AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2017- current Associate Editor BioInvasions Records Journal
2015- current Topic Editor Frontiers in Marine Science Journal (taxonomy)
2015- current Associate Editor Aquatic Invasions Journal
2015- current Editorial Board, European Commission, "European Alien Species Information Network - EASIN"
2011- current Associate Editor and creator of “Ascidiacea World Database” http://www.marinespecies.org/
2016- Jeju Nantional University, Republic of Korea. Lecturer: Taxonomy and Ecology of Ascidians
2016- current Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Lecturer. Course: Discovering the Sea
2014- current Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Lecturer. Course: Research Skills Course
2013-current Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Lecturer. Course: The Invertebrates: Comparative Functional Biology
2014 Israel Taxonomy Initiative, Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences Eilat, Co-Instructor (with Gretchen Lambert): International Workshop on Taxonomy and Biology of Ascidians
2010 University of Washington, Friday Harbor Laboratories, Instructor. Course: Marine Invertebrate Zoology
HONORS AND AWARDS
2023 Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, amongst 100 excellent lecturers.
2022 Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, Rector Excellence in teaching.
2021Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, amongst 100 excellent lecturers.
2018 Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, Rector Excellence in teaching.
2016 Ministry of Science Technology and Space Exhibition “Israeli discoveries and developments that influenced the world”
2015 Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, amongst 100 excellent lecturers.
2014 Tel-Aviv University, Office of the Rector, amongst 100 excellent lecturers.
2013 Caroline von Humboldt Prize to outstanding junior female scientists €15,000
2009-2011 Israel Taxonomy Initiative Post-doctoral fellowship
2008 Dan David Prize for outstanding post-doctoral students of exceptional promise $10,000
2006 Weizmann Institute of Science, Katzir travel fellowship
2006 The Smithsonian Tropical Institute, Bocas Research Station, Panama. Fellowship supporting my participation in the “Taxonomy & Biology of Tunicates” workshop.
2005, 2006 The Rieger Foundation- Jewish National Fund Program for Environmental studies. $10,000
2005 The Porter School of Environmental Studies Excellence Award.
The Fishelson prize for academic accomplishments in marine biology research, Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.
Adesman travel scholarship, Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.
The Herman Leon scholarship for excellence in teaching, Office of the Dean of Students.
2003 The Heertge Foundation scholarship for academic accomplishments, Office of the Dean of Students.
Adesman travel scholarship, Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.
Summer course Fellowship Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington
