User:דר גיא כהן/sandbox

The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center (DSASC) is a regional, applied research institute operating throughout southern Israel. Its main objective is to lead research projects in various branches of science. DSASC research focuses on the unique local climatic and geographic characteristics of the area, and enhances regional development of economy, education and community affairs. DSASC was established by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Regional and Local Councils and operates under the academic auspices of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), as a non-profit institution. The Center's executive board is made up of representatives from the local authorities and from the university.

''

History
''' Established in the Dead Sea in 2006, the DSASC employed only a few researchers. As part of a scheme initiated by the Ministry of Science to consolidate small R&D institutes in the periphery, the Eilot and Hatzeva R&Ds joined the Center in 2007, and Dr. Hanan Ginat became its first director. In 2012, researchers from Mitzpe Ramon joined and in 2017, Mitzpe Ramon was recognized as an official division of the Science Center. Today, the Center operates in four divisions. Objectives of DSAS


 * To conduct applied research that focuses on the Dead Sea, Arava and Negev, while maintaining sustainable development values
 * To coordinate and participate in cross-border scientific collaborations
 * To promote scientific literacy among adults and students in the community
 * To develop and disseminate knowledge related to the Dead Sea, Arava and Negev, by promoting conferences, courses, publications and more
 * To help expand the regional scientific community
 * To promote regional tourism and support local tourism endeavors

'''

DSASC structure and budget
''' The Center operates in four divisions: The headquarters of the Science Center are located at the Dead Sea Research Institute, near Masada Visitor Center, Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
 * Southern Arava Division - Eilot Regional Council: Scientific Director - Dr. Ilan Stavi
 * Central Arava Division - Central Arava Regional Council: Scientific Director - Dr. Sarit Ashkenazi-Polivoda
 * Dead Sea Division - Tamar and Megilot Regional Councils: Scientific Director - Dr. Guy Cohen
 * Mitzpe Ramon Division - Mitzpe Ramon Local Council: Scientific Director - Dr. Yaron Finzi

The divisions, dispersed throughout a vast area comprising approximately 20% of the area of the State of Israel, collaborate through a multidisciplinary network that incorporates the entire Negev. Applied research of the Dead Sea, the Arava and the Negev is conducted by 30 PhD level researchers, assisted by research assistants, technicians and students. The studies focus on understanding phenomena unique to the Judean Desert, the Negev, the Dead Sea and the Arava. Special emphasis is placed on conducting applied research that can lead to the development of desert peripheral areas, to promote settlement, economic development, tourism and excellence in education. To encourage active involvement within the settlements of the geographical periphery of the Negev, researchers employed by DSASC must reside within the participating councils. DSASC is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the local authorities (Mitzpe Ramon Local Council, Eilat Regional Council, Central Arava Regional Council, Tamar Regional Council and Megilot Regional Council), ICA Foundation, the Arava and Dead Sea Drainage Authorities, and competitive research grants. '''

Staff
''' The center employs thirty researchers from a variety of scientific fields including geology, archeology, hydrology, ecology and biology.


 * The center's management team includes:
 * Yael Maor - General Director (CEO)
 * Lior Peleg – Director of Finance (CFO)
 * Dr. Elli Groner - Scientific Director (CSO
 * Dr. Oded Keenan - Ornithologist, Education Coordinator
 * Yoni Shtern - Tourism Coordinator
 * Oren Raz – Technical Manager
 * Rina Kedem – Cross Boundary Environmental Cooperation

Members of the Executive Committee: Ehud (Udi) Gat – Executive Committee Chairperson; Prof. Jonathan (Yoni) Laronne - Scientific Committee Chairperson.

'''

Dead Sea Research Institute
''' In 2016, an interdisciplinary research center was established at the base of Mt. Masada. The construction of the building was made possible thanks to funding from Tamar Regional Council, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Regional Cooperation, ICA Foundation and the Porter Foundation. The labs at the building serve DSASC for biological, skin, environmental, ecological, hydrological and geological research.

In addition to this innovative lab system, which will also be used by the Skin Research Institute, the structure will serve as a platform for studies of life under extreme conditions, focusing on four main areas of interest: •	Climate and environmental medicine, particularly in the Dead Sea and desert regions; •	Dead Sea studies: flora, fauna, environment, geology, archeology, and heritage; •	Natural and environmental resource management, research of communities and settlements, and regional and international collaborations; •	Unique resources of the Dead Sea: endemic flora, fauna and minerals, focusing on applications for biotechnology and nanotechnology. Director and Principal Investigator at the Institute for the Study of Skin, and Director of DSASC Dead Sea Division: Dr. Guy Cohen. In addition to housing the DSASC, the building provides classrooms and research space for visiting researchers in collaboration with Tel Aviv University.

'''

Central Arava Research Institute
'''

The Central Arava Division, in Hatzeva, is adjacent to the Vidor Visitor Center. A paleontology laboratory led by Sarit Aschkenazi-Polivoda, a desert botany laboratory led by Dr. Rebecca (Rivki) Ofir, and a biology laboratory led by Dr. Niva Russek-Blum operate within this facility.

In Hatzeva, an educational hothouse serves as an educational hub for the entire region, offering extensive programs, focusing on technology-based innovations.

Director of DSASC Central Arava Division: Dr. Sarit Aschkenazi-Polivoda, paleontologist.

Eilot Research Institute
The Eilot Division is located near Kibbutz Yotvata. The division shares an integrated research facility with the Eilat-Eilot Regional Energy Administration. An ecology lab and a renewable energy testing lab operate at the facility.

Director of Eilot Division: Dr. Ilan Stavi, ecologist.

Craterland Research Institute (Mitzpe Ramon Division) The Mitzpe Ramon Division of the DSASC is a leading R&D in central Negev. It is located in the town of Mitzpe Ramon, overlooking Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon erosional crater) and includes researchers in the fields of geology, hydrology, ecology, anthropology and social studies, and environmental education. The research team consists of five PhD level researchers, seven research assistants and an administrative team. The Center initiates and promotes local, national and international ventures in education, community, urban agriculture and tourism including: Craterland Geopark, Long-Term Social Environmental Platform (LTSER), Long-Term Ecological Research Station (LTER), Emergency Preparedness in Computer Science, Desert Distant Learning program, urban agriculture, rock-art tourism and preservation of cultural heritage.

The Mitzpe Ramon Division
The division was established in 1990 as Ramon Science Center (an independent body). In 2010, as part of a consolidation process, it was initiated into the DSASC. In January 2017, the division was officially recognized as an integral part of DSASC.

Director of Mitzpe Ramon Division: Dr. Yaron Finzi, geologist.