Ali Nejidat

[Last updated: February 1, 2010 ]

Academic Education

B.Sc.	1979	Ben Gurion University, Department of Biology
M.Sc.	1982	Ben Gurion University, Department of Biology Advisors: Profs. Chanan Itai and Nurit-Roth Bejerano Title: Control of stomata movement by phytochrome
Teaching Diploma	1982	Ben Gurion University, Department of Education
Ph.D.	1987	Ben Gurion University, Department of Biology Advisors: Profs. Chanan Itai and Nurit-Roth Bejerano Title: Phytochrome involvement in regulation of stomatal movement: Effect of light on membrane properties

Research Interests

For the last several years my research has focused on microbial ecology and the role of microorganisms in safeguarding environmental quality. In Israel, the availability of water and water quality are vital issues. Practical approaches are needed to prevent the contamination of available water resources and to design recycling schemes for wastewater reuse. My current research activities focus primarily on studying the ecophysiology and molecular genetics of the chemolithotrophic nitrifying bacteria. The activity of these bacteria is crucial to wastewater (municipal and industrial) purification. The other part of the studies is concerned with bacteria involved in the biodegradation of the environmentally hazardous halo-organics for the remediation of polluted sites.

Honors and Awards

1.	David & Paula Ben-Gurion Fund. 1996. Prize in the memory of Yodit and Avram Pasternak.
2.	The Sonnenfeldt-Goldman-Goldman Career Development Chair in Desert Research. 1998.

Research Fellowships

1988	Fulbright Fellowship
1990/1992	Blaustein Fellowship
1993/1994	Eshkol Fellowship
1997-1998	Deichmann Fellowship
1998-2001	Mao'off Fellowship