43 Dr. Chana Kranzler Revealing the Effect of Phytoplankton Viruses on Global Ocean Health Dr. Chana Kranzler of the Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences was awarded 1.8 million euros to study the interaction between viruses and a group of phytoplankton, themicroscopic plant-like organisms that form the base of the aquatic food web. The group, called diatoms, are responsible for nearly 20 percent of the photosynthesis on the planet, yet little is known about the effect of viruses on this population. She hopes to further our understanding of microscale dynamics across diverse ocean environments and discover how they help shape global biogeochemical processes. Dr. YotamKaplan Developing Legal Tools to Disincentivize Harmful Profit Dr. Yotam Kaplan of the Faculty of Law was awarded 1.2 million euros to pioneer a legal initiative for tackling “profitable problems,” or environmental and societal ills such as climate change and fake news that persist by generating enormous profits for a select few. Kaplan’s strategy involves first exposing how commercial actors perpetuate these problems, and then developing legal measures to make it impossible for them to profit from harmful conduct. ERC STARTING GRANT Starting grants enable promising young researchers to launch their own projects, form the necessary teams, and pursue ideas with the potential to reshape their fields. This April, the Marketing and Business Development Division hosted its first Get the Grant Conference, aimed at empowering Bar-Ilan faculty to recognize the role of grants in not only advancing individual projects and careers, but also in securing the University’s ability to build up its research capacity. Prof. Shulamit Michaeli described the various tools that the Bar-Ilan Research Authority provides to applicants, including the assistance of a professional grants consultant, the use of a scientific editor, and training from a public-speaking coach for in-person presentations. Going for the Grant
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