Research & Projects

Our lab is dedicated to uncovering the causes and consequences of disease in marine wildlife, particularly fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals. By conducting field necropsies and integrating microbiological, histopathological, and molecular diagnostic techniques, we identify pathogens and pathological processes affecting these animals. Our work sheds light on naturally occurring diseases as well as anthropogenic influences such as pollution, climate change, and habitat degradation that may exacerbate pathogen spread or virulence.

We place strong emphasis on longitudinal studies and interdisciplinary collaborations to better understand how environmental stressors shape disease dynamics in wild marine populations. These investigations are essential not only for marine conservation but also for improving biosecurity at the interface between wild and farmed aquatic animals. Our findings contribute to regional and global efforts to monitor emerging pathogens and support wildlife health surveillance frameworks.

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry essential for global food security, yet it faces persistent challenges from infectious diseases. Our lab partners with fish farmers, veterinary services, and regulatory agencies to study outbreaks, identify causative agents, and develop effective diagnostic and management strategies. We focus on bacterial pathogens such as Aeromonas, Vibrio, and Streptococcus, as well as viral and parasitic threats, which can lead to high mortality and economic loss in both marine and freshwater systems.

In addition to field-based diagnostics and epidemiology, we conduct experimental studies to understand pathogen transmission, treatment efficacy, and the role of environmental stress. By promoting early detection and rapid response, we support sustainable aquaculture practices. Our work also contributes to the development of guidelines for responsible antimicrobial use, welfare standards, and biosecurity protocols tailored to the unique conditions of the Israeli aquaculture sector and similar environments.

At the molecular level, our lab explores host-pathogen interactions in aquatic animals using cutting-edge tools such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), qPCR, and metagenomic analyses. We investigate the microbiome of fish and other marine species to understand how microbial communities shift during infection or environmental stress. These studies help identify microbial biomarkers of disease and contribute to a more precise understanding of aquatic animal health.

A core focus of our work is immunology and vaccine development. We study the innate and adaptive immune responses of fish to various pathogens and test novel vaccine candidates and immunostimulants under laboratory and field conditions. Our aim is to reduce reliance on antibiotics and support the development of preventive medicine approaches tailored to aquaculture and conservation settings. These efforts are crucial in building resilience in aquatic animal populations and advancing the field of aquatic vaccinology.