This research group is recruiting its first members starting summer 2024, so this page is kind of under construction for now…
PI: Dr. Yuval Itescu
I am a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology at the University of Haifa, Israel, where I explore how human activities reshape natural environments and how species adapt to these changes. My research mainly focuses on the (often interacting) effects of urbanization, biological invasions, isolation (both natural – in insular systems, and human-driven), climate change, and other anthropogenic-driven processes, on biodiversity dynamics, eco-evolutionary processes, and conservation at different scales. I have the privilege of studying animals in their natural habitats worldwide – and I get to call it work. Not a bad deal! To know more you can check out my Google Scholar and ResearchGate profiles.
M.Sc. candidates
Neri Blas
I’m a Master’s student in the Itescu lab at the Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology at the University of Haifa.
I received my bachelors degree from the open university, in life sciences. I have always been fascinated by the natural world, and in recent years I have been attracted to learn more about the human-animal influences and interactions.
My research is about the impcats of novel environments on gecko defence strategies.
Yaniv Glazer
I have always been fascinated by nature and wildlife, whether as a kid that raised diverse animals including reptiles, birds, amphibians and various insects or while captivated watching Nat Geo Wild.
My main interests include ecology, wildlife conservation and studying human impacts on the natural world surrounding us.
In November 2024 I started my M.Sc., investigating macroecological patterns of urbanization impacts on vertebrates.
Human Impacts on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics 