Keren Yanuka-Golub
Education/short cv:
Post-doctoral training 2018-2021
Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Dr. Yael Kiro lab.
Postdoctoral fellow at the Agricultural Research Organization, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Shiri Freilich lab (under the support of the Joint NSFC-ISF Grant)
Ph.D., 2013-2017
Porter School for environmental studies, Tel-Aviv University.
M.Sc., 2008-2010
Water Research, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research (ZIWR), Ben-Gurion University.
B.Sc., 2005-2008
Open University, Life Science
My research seeks to fundamentally elucidate microbially mediated processes in contaminated environments that merit bioremediation, specifically those responsible for the production of potent greenhouse gases (methane and nitrous oxide). Such an understanding is vital for development and optimization of bioremediation and climate change mitigation strategies. Therefore, my work focuses on establishing optimized microbial-based management schemes for green applications to improve the functionality of microbial systems (i.e. bioreactors as model systems and the natural environment).
I am currently leading two projects in collaboration with Shiri Freilich:
Tracking the dynamics of bioremediation processes in soil through integrated use of electrochemical anaerobic reactors and genomic based modeling - Here the aim is to better understand complex metabolic processes within contaminated soils by using a three-chamber anaerobic system. combined with metabolic modeling, we can find specific solutions for optimized microbial management schemes.
Upgrading waste-derived biogas production through big-data, genomic driven community engineering - In this project we aim to upgrade biogas by specifically enriching hydrogenotrophic methanogens using an AD-MEC anaerobic system. Combined with metabolic modeling, we will test metabolic amendments that will allow substantial improvement of the biogas upgrading process, achieving natural gas as a clean energy source in a sustainable manner.