Team
Gal Wittenberg, PhD
Principal Investigator
Since graduating, Gal found protein biochemistry captivating. After years of researching the photosynthetic apparatus, he am still at awe with this amazing biological machine and its interplay between light, redox and regulation, mediated by proteins. Eight years' experience performing and leading R&D activities in the industry, mainly at startups, provide Gal with an in depth understanding of application and IP, which he now bring back to academia.
Besides obsessing about biochemistry, he is a father of 3, an avid rock climber and cook.
Sharon Alkalai Tuvia
Lab Manager
Sharon studied Biotechnology Engineering at Ariel College and holds a BSc in Life Sciences from the Open University. Sharon has been working at the Volcani Institute, at the Department of Posrharvest Science, for over 30 years.
In her free time, Sharon enjoys folk dancing.
Sandhya Yadav, PhD
Postdoc
Sandhya's research career started with a curiosity about how life evolved on Earth. In her PhD she studied seasonal adaptations in liverworts, exploring their transition to land. She went on to study the chloroplast oxi-proteome and how ROS cause and regulate stress. Now Sandhya explores how chloroplasts turn into colorful chromoplasts in fruit, and how the photosynthetic apparatus is dismantled during ripening.
Outside work, she loves, nature, music, and reading
Svetlana Salamaikina, PhD
Postdoc
Svetlana’s research journey has been guided by curiosity and a passion for understanding the how plants respond to stress, especially the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress in plants.
Before joining the team, she earned her PhD in Molecular Biology at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT).
Outside the lab, Svetlana enjoys reading books and exploring new music.
MSc student
Nadav holds a BSc in Agroecology and Plant Health from the Hebrew University.
Originally from the Golan, Nadav loves nature and hiking, especially with his dog. Nadav strongly believes innovation in agriculture is the path to a better future.
Loyce Mtimajere
MSc student
Loyce completed her BSc in Nutrition and Food Science at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Malawi.
Passionate about advancing her community, Loyce worked both in hospitals and in the agricultural sector in Malawi, before deciding to pursue an MSc at the Hebrew University.
In her free time she enjoys hiking and reading, particularly historical fiction
Nadav Halperson