Celebrating Academic Excellence: The Yossi Loya Awards Ceremony 2026

The Faculty of Life Sciences recently hosted the annual awards ceremony for The Excellence in Ecology Research Fund Established By Prof. Yossi Loya at the Sherman Auditorium. This prestigious fund honors the lifelong work and profound academic contributions of Professor Emeritus Yossi Loya, a pioneering marine biologist, world-renowned coral reef expert, former Chair of the Zoology Department, and former Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences. By rewarding exceptional student research, the fund continues its tradition of fostering scientific brilliance among the next generation of environmental leaders.

The School of Zoology, long recognized as a premier hub for ecological, evolutionary, and environmental research in Israel, served as the academic cradle for this year's laureates. The ceremony was hosted by Prof. Noa Shenkar, who encouraged the graduate and PhD students in attendance to persist in their scientific pursuits and to apply for the fund’s upcoming calls for applications. The event was further distinguished by the presence of Tel Aviv University’s Rector, Prof. Noga Kronfeld-Schor, who honored the ceremony and is also the proud co-advisor of one of this year's winners.

During the event, the four winners gave brief presentations on their respective research, sharing their personal academic journeys and what inspired them to pursue their specific fields.

The 2026 Award Recipients:

• Tom Morav (Supervised by Prof. Micha Ilan, the School of Zoology): "Deep connections: exploring the genetic connectivity of mesophotic and shallow-water populations of the sponge Axinella polypoides".

• Hagar Vardi-Naim (Supervised by Prof. Noga Kronfeld-Schor, the School of Zoology & Prof. Yariv Wine, the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research): "Artificial Light at Night Disrupts Immune Rhythms in Wild Rodents under Semi-Natural Conditions".

• Elinor Nadir (Supervised by Prof. Yehuda [Hudi] Benayahu, the School of Zoology & Prof. Tamar Lotan, University of Haifa): "Diffuse pacemaker mechanism with distinctive organization drives pulsation in the octocoral Xenia umbellata".

• Guy Zer-Eshel (Supervised by Prof. Yossi Yovel, the School of Zoology): "Female moths incorporate plant acoustic emissions into their oviposition decision-making process".

The Faculty of Life Sciences extends its warmest congratulations to the winners. We look forward to following their future discoveries and contributions to the scientific community.