Projects: Essence and Impact
Envisioning Tomorrow: A Journey Through Preserved Natural Treasures
Death Valley, California
Life at the Edge: Microbial Diversity and Adaptation
Death Valley regularly claims the title as the hottest place on Earth, with temperatures soaring to 56°C (134°F) in the summer.
Death Valley, a vast expanse of desert stretching across eastern California and Nevada, is renowned for its unforgiving climate. Scorched by record-breaking heat, parched by ceaseless aridity, and encrusted with salt flats that shimmer under the relentless sun, this ancient landscape might appear, at first glance, to be inhospitable to life. Yet beneath the cracked crust and within the mineral-rich springs, an astonishing array of microscopic life persists. Bacteria and archaea—often referred to collectively as microbes—have evolved an impressive arsenal of survival strategies, making Death Valley one of the planet's most compelling laboratories for studying adaptation, resilience, and the boundaries of life itself.
“Evolution Canyon “ Mt. Carmel, Israel a Microscale Model
Nanointerface Interactions Between Plants and Rhizobacteria: A Transdisciplinary Approach for Sustainable Agriculture
The intricate relationship between plants and rhizobacteria forms the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems and agricultural productivity. In recent years, the field of nanointerface interaction has emerged as a transformative lens through which scientists unravel the molecular dialogues occurring at the root-soil-microbe nexus. Through a holistic investigation of nanointerface interactions between plants and rhizobacteria, our research is paving the way for sustainable, climate-adaptive agriculture. By valuing natural diversity, embracing transdisciplinary collaboration, and developing innovative biobased strategies, we aspire to contribute to a future where food security, environmental stewardship, and scientific ingenuity flourish together.
REWILDING OF AGRICULTURAL GRASSLANDS FOR THE GREEN TRANSITION OF AGRICULTURE
Diversification of cropping systems with agricultural grasslands is a highly important strategy for increasing the sustainability and resilience of agroecosystems. There is a need to improve knowledge of agricultural grasslands and the ecosystem services, as they may provide a large set of inputs and outputs (soil water retention, soil conservation, nutrient provision and recycling, biocontrol, as well as climate regulation, and biodiversity).
This proposed project represents a strategic continuation of grasslands research, placing a strong emphasis on the optimal use of ecosystem services within cropping systems. By leveraging the knowledge gained from the Chile geomorphoclimatic gradient, the project will provide actionable insights and tools for sustainable land management across diverse agricultural landscapes.