INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS
The Hula Research Center is proud to offer a series of workshops focused on Ecology, Zoology, and Genetics. Our distinctive environment, characterized by ecological richness, presents numerous opportunities for practical application of techniques in the field. We invite you to join us in exploring the complexities of nature and enhancing your expertise in these essential scientific disciplines.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
About:
Phylogenetics is the study of the evolutionary relationships among organisms across various taxonomic levels, as well as the factors influencing their evolution. It serves as a valuable and reliable tool in comparative biology, explaining phenomena from an organism’s adaptation to particular habitats to the transmission of diseases between species. As such, phylogenetic comparative methods are instrumental in a range of life sciences disciplines, especially in evolution, epidemiology, and agriculture. The R packages Phytools and geiger, developed by Prof. Liam Revell (UMass) and Prof. Luke Harmon (UI), respectively, offer a comprehensive set of tools for phylogenetic analysis, with an emphasis on phylogenetic comparative biology. This package includes functions for visualizing, analysing, manipulating, and inferring phylogenetic trees, as well as tools for reading and writing tree data. This workshop aims to enhance the capabilities of biologists and ecologists in Israel who are studying phylogeny, enabling them to conduct advanced phylogenetic research in agriculture and environmental studies. It is also an excellent opportunity to establish collaborations at the local and international scale.
Accreditation: 3 credit points.
Language of instruction: English.
Organizers and Instructors:
Dr. Tali Berman
Hula Research Center, Tel-Hai, Israel
About:
Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to the genetic material shed by organisms into their surroundings. Recently, eDNA analysis—extracted from environmental samples such as water, soil, or animal feces—has emerged as a non-invasive, dependable, and cost-effective method for studying invasive species, microbes, pathogens, diets, trophic interactions, and biodiversity. However, obtaining reliable eDNA data requires precise field and laboratory techniques, as biases can arise throughout the entire process, from sampling to data processing, affecting species detection outcomes. This workshop will explore the methodologies employed in eDNA research for both single-species (qPCR) and multi-species (DNA metabarcoding) detection. Participants will learn how to design eDNA experiments, analyze and interpret results, covering the entire process from field sample collection to sequencing and data analysis. The workshop will include lectures, field and laboratory demonstrations, and hands-on training in data analysis and interpretation using a case study, as well as daily seminars from researchers in the field.
Accreditation: 3 credit points.
Language of instruction: English.
PAST WORKSHOPS
Avian Parasitology on a Migratory Flyway
About:
This intensive week-long field course will bring together multiple topics in an integrative and comparative framework, including parasitology, migratory ecology, and immunology. It will take place in the Hula Valley of Israel, an internationally acclaimed location for bird-watching, and an important migratory stopover point for millions of migratory birds from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Students will learn relevant background and will be exposed to field and lab methods that allow for the
identification and quantification of avian parasites, and the characterization of avian morphology,
physiology, immunity, and behavior.
This course is a good fit for early graduate students who are interested in pursuing field projects, and for
more advanced graduate students who wish to deepen their understanding of avian migration and
parasitology.
Occurred: Nov 2019
Instructors:
Dr. Amanda Hund, University of Minnesota, USA
Dr. Alfonso Rojas Mora, University of Neuchatel, Switzerland
Dr. Yoni Vortman, Tel-Hai College, Israel
Guest lecture: Dr. Arne Hegemann, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden