Hila Elifantz - CV
Hila Elifantz – CV
The mina and Everdad Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences
Bar-Ilan University
Mobile: 052-5952516
e-mail: hila.elifantz@gmail.com
Personal information:
Marital status: Single. Date of Birth: 1973. Address: Moshav Bitzaron
Education and additional training
1997 – 1999 B.Sc in Biotechnology and environmental sciences. Tel-Hai College, Upper
Galilee, Israel.
2000 – 2001 M.Sc in Agriculture and environmental quality. Hebrew University of
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Thesis title: "Heavy metals uptake and biosorption by the macrophyte Ludwigia stolonifera"
Advised by Prof. Elisha Tel-or
2002 – 2006 PhD in Marine biology and Biochemistry. University of Delaware, Newark,
DE, USA.
Dissertation title: "Structure and function of microbial communities processing dissolved
organic matter in marine environments"
Advised by Prof. David Kirchman
2007 – 2008 Post doctoral training with Prof. Derek Lovley (University of Massachusetts).
Research subject: Gene expression of Geobacter-dominated community during
bioremediation of uranium-contaminated aquifer.
2008 – 2009 Postdoctoral training with Dr. Dror Minz (Agriculture Research Organization)
and Prof. Yehuda Cohen (The Hebrew University).
Research subject: Microbial community composition and structure of biofilms.
2010-2012 Teaching certificate. Beit-Berl College.
Work experience
Research experience:
Lab Manager 2012-present - The mina and Everdad Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences
Bar-Ilan University
Post-doc Associate/Research Associate 2008 – 2012 - Agriculture Research
Organization – Volcani Center and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Post-doc Associate 2007-2008 - University of Massachusetts, Amhesrt, MA, USA.
Research Assistant 2002-2006 – University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA. Part of the
PhD program.
Hila Elifantz - CV
Research Assistant 2001-2002 - Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
Super oxide dismutase (SOD) protein expression in maize plants subjected to zinc
deficiency. Maintained fungi cultures, prepared them for experiments, and perform the
experiments on tomato model plants.
Research Assistant 2001-2002 - Faculty of agriculture, food and environmental
sciences. Rehovot, Israel. Preparation of chloroplasts from rice and tobacco plants for
microscope studies.
Field work and cruises experience:
July 2012 – Gulf of Aquaba Cruise. Sampling for various biological parameters.
2008-2009 – Periodic sampling at the Palmachim desalination plant. Water samples as
well as biofilm were sampled for molecular and microscopy analyses.
August 2007 – Field work in the Rifle Department of Energy site, CO, USA. Work was
done on a flow cell designed to monitor the bioremediation of uranium in a shallow
aquifer. Groundwater samples were collected for geochemical, microbial community and
gene expression analyses.
February 2004 – Clipperton Atoll expedition, Pacific Ocean. Sampling was done in
highly eutrophic and challenging environment. Samples were collected for microcopy
(direct counts, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH)), community DNA analysis, and
isolations of culturable bacteria.
November 2002, July 2003 – Delaware Estuary and Mid-Atlantic Bight Cruises.
Samples were taken for dissertation research and included work with radioisotopes. In
addition sampling for chlorophyll, dissolved organic carbon and nutrients measurements,
FISH, and direct counts were done.
Guiding and teaching experience:
Instructor, June 2010 – Mekorot Guiding Center – Biofilm course for engineers.
Lab instructor, 2008-2009 – College of Marine Studies, Michmoret – taught a lab class
in marine microbial ecology methods. The students were guided in the various
techniques available for microbial ecologists and the results were discussed.
Tourist and ecology guide 1993-2002 - Various employers
During this period I guided school excursions to different locations in Israel. I worked with
students from all ages (8-18). In 2000-2002 I instructed high school, biology students in an
ecology exercise required for their biology class. This exercise included field sampling, data
plotting, data analysis and discussion.
Volunteer experience 1998-2001
Hila Elifantz - CV
I was active in environmental student organization, “Green Course”. During 1999 I was
the head of the chapter in Tel-Hai college.
Publications
Bel, S., Y. Elkis, H., Elifantz, O., Koren, R., Ben-Hamo, T., Lerer-Goldshtein, R., Rahimi,
S., Ben Horin, A., Nyska, S., Shpungin, and U., Nir. 2014. Reprogrammed and
transmissible intestinal microbiota confer diminished susceptibility to induced colitis in
TMF-/- mice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the Unites States of
America 111: 4964-4969
Lakretz, A., H., Elifantz, I., Kviatkovski, G., Eshel, and H., Mamane. 2014. Automatic
microfiber filtration (AMF) of surface water: Impact on water quality and biofouling
evolution. Water Research 48: 592-604
Rahav, E., E., Bar-Zeev, S., Ohayon, H., Elifantz, N., Belkin, B., Herut, M.R.,
Mulholland, I. Berman-Frank. 2013. Dinitrogen fixation in aphotic oxygenated marine
environments. Frontiers in Microbiology 4: Article Number: 00227
Elifantz, H., G., Horn, M. Ayon, Y. Cohen, and D. Minz. 2013. Rhodobacteraceae are
the key members of the microbial community of the initial biofilm formed in Eastern
Mediterranean coastal seawater. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 85: 348-357
Eshel, G., H. Elifantz, S. Nuriel, M. Holenberg, and T. Berman. 2013. Microfiber filtration
of lake water: impacts on TEP removal and biofouling development. Desalination and
Water Treatment 51: 1043-1049
Galand, P.E., M. Bourrain, E. De Maistre, P. Catala, Y. Desdevises, H. Elifantz, D.L.
Kirchman, and P. Lebaron. 2012. Phylogenetic and functional diversity of Bacteria and
Archaea in a unique stratified lagoon, the Clipperton atoll (N Pacific). FEMS Microbiology
Ecology 79: 203-217
Harif, T., H. Elifantz, E. Margalit, M. Herzberg, T. Lichi, and D. Minz 2011. The effect of
UV pre-treatment on Biofouling of BWRO membranes: A field study. Desalination and
Water Treatment 31: 151-163
Elifantz, H., L. Kautsky, M. Mor-Yosef, J. Tarchitzky, A. Bar-Tal, Y. Chen, and D. Minz.
2011. Microbial activity and organic matter dynamics during four-years of irrigation with
treated wastewater. Microbial Ecology 62: 973-981
Meron, D., Atias, E., Iasur-Kruh, L., Elifantz, H., Minz, D., Fine, M., and Banin, E. 2011.
The impact of reduced pH on the microbial community of the coral Acropora eurystoma.
ISME Journal 5: 51-60
Elifantz, H., A.L. N’Guessan, P.J. Mouser, K. H. Williams, M.J. Willkins, C. Risso, D.E.
Holmes, P.E. Long, and D.R. Lovley. 2010. Expression of acetate permease-like (apl)
genes in subsurface communities of Geobacter species under fluctuating acetate
concentrations. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 73: 441-449
Hila Elifantz - CV
Callister, S.J., M.J. Wilkins, C.D. Nicora, K.H. Williams, J.F. Banfield, N.C.
VerBerkmoes, R.L. Hettich, A.L. N'Guessan, P.J. Mouser, H. Elifantz, R.D. Smith, D.R.
Lovley, M.S. Lipton, and P.E. Long. 2010. Analysis of biostimulated microbial
communities from two field experiments reveals temporal and spatial differences in
proteome profiles. Environmental Science and Technology 44: 8897-8903
N’Guessan, A. L., H. Elifantz, K.P. Nevin, P.J. Mouser, B. Methe, T.L. Woodward, K.
Manley, K.H. Williams, M.J. Wilkins, J.T. Larsen, P.E. Long, and D.R. Lovley. 2010.
Molecular analysis of phosphate limitation in Geobacteraceae during the bioremediation
of a uranium-contaminated aquifer. ISME Journal 4: 253-266
Mouser, P.J., A.L. N’Guessan, H. Elifantz, D.E. Holmes, K.H. Williams, M.J. Wilkins,
P.E. Long, and D.R. Lovley. 2009. Impact of heterogeneous ammonium availability on
bacterial community structure and the expression of nitrogen fixation and ammonium
transporter genes during in situ bioremediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater.
Environmental Science and Technology 43: 4386-4392
Wilkins, M.J., N.C. VerBerkmoes, K.H. Williams, S.J. Callister, P.J. Mouser, H. Elifantz,
A.L. N'Guessan, B.C. Thomas, C.D. Nicora, M.B. Shah, P. Abraham, M.S. Lipton, D.R.
Lovley, R.L. Hettich, P.E. Long, and J.F. Banfield. 2009. Proteogenomic monitoring of
Geobacter physiology during stimulated uranium bioremediation. Applied and
Environmental Microbiology 75: 6591-6599
Risso, C., B.A. Methé, H. Elifantz, D.E. Holmes, and D.R. Lovley. 2008. Highly
conserved genes in Geobacter species with expression patterns indicative of acetate
limitation. Microbiology 154:2589-2599.
Elifantz, H., L.A., Waidner, M.T., Cottrell, and D.L. Kirchman. 2008. Diversity and
abundance of glycosyl hyrolases family 5 genes in the Sargasso Sea. FEMS
Microbiology Ecology 63: 316-327
Elifantz, H., A.I. Dittel, M.T. Cottrell, and D.L. Kirchman. 2007. Dissolved organic matter
assimilation by heterotrophic bacterial groups in the western Arctic Ocean. Aquatic
Microbial Ecology 50:39-49
Kirchman, D.L., H. Elifantz, A.I.Dittel, R.R. Malmstrom, and M.T. Cottrell, 2007.
Standing stocks and activity of archaea and bacteria in the Western Arctic Ocean.
Limnology and Oceanography 52: 594-405
Malmstrom, R.R., M.T. Cottrell, H. Elifantz, and D.L. Kirchman. 2005. Biomass
production and assimilation of high and low molecular weight DOM by SAR11 bacteria in
the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 71: 2979-2986.
Elifantz, H., R.R. Malmstrom, M.T. Cottrell, and D.L. Kirchman. 2005. Assimilation of
polysaccharides and glucose by major bacterial groups in the Delaware Estuary. Applied
and Environmental Microbiology 71: 7799-7805.
Hila Elifantz - CV
Elifantz, H., and E. Tel-Or. 2002. Heavy metal biosorption by plant biomass of the
macrophyte Ludwigia stolonifera. Water Air and Soil Pollution 141:207-218.
Invited Seminars
Elifantz, H. 2008. Not everything grows on a plate – studying microbial communities in
natural environments. Invited Seminar. Ben-Gurion University, Sede Boker.
Elifantz, H. 2008. The function of microbial communities in the natural environment.
Ben-Gurion University, Sede Boker.
Elifantz, H. 2008. Not a 'black box' anymore - Unraveling the function of microbial
communities in the environment. Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Quality
Sciences. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Elifantz H. and D.L. Kirchman. 2005. Structure and function of microbial communities in
the marine environment. Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, Banyuls sur Mer,
France.
Elifantz, H. and D. L. Kirchman. 2005. The contribution of major bacterial groups to
dissolved organic matter assimilation in oceanic environments. Department of Civil
Engineering, Auburn Univeristy Alabama, USA.
Presentations
Elifantz, H. M. Rom, D. Minz, and C. Dosoretz.2012. Biofilm formation and microbial
community composition on pipes transporting secondary treated wastewater. Microbial
Ecology Sandwich Club, July, Volcani Center, Israel (Talk)
Elifantz, H., Y. Segal-Ruder, Y. Cohen, and D. Minz. 2010. Dynamics of the microbial
community forming the initial biofilm in pipes transporting treated wastewater. Israeli
Society of Microbiology meeting. June, Bar-Ilan, Israel (Poster).
Elifantz, H., Y. Cohen, and D. Minz. 2009. Microbial community composition of a biofilm
developed in water pipes in a desalination plant in Israel. FEMS 2009 3rd Congress of
European Microbiologists. June-July, Gothenburg, Sweden (Poster).
Elifantz, H., Y. Cohen, and D. Minz. 2009. Microbial community composition of a biofilm
developed in water pipes in the Palmachim desalination plant. The Israeli Society of
Ecology and Environmental Science meeting. May, Rehovot, Israel (Talk).
Elifantz, H., A. L. N’Guessan, P. J. Mouser, K. Williams, M. Willkins, J. E. Ward, P.
Long, and D. Lovley. 2008. Quantifying gene transcripts to diagnose acetate limitation in
Geobacter species during in situ bioremediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater.
American Society of Microbiology, General meeting, June, Boston, USA (Poster).
Elifantz, H., A. L. N’Guessan, P. J. Mouser, K. Williams, M. Willkins, J. E. Ward, P.
Long, and D. Lovley. 2008. Acetate limitation in Geobacter species during in situ
Hila Elifantz - CV
bioremediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater. Israeli Society of Microbiology
meeting. April, Rehovot, Israel. (Talk)
Elifantz, H., M.T. Cottrell, and D.L. Kirchman. 2005. Assimilation of LMW and HMW
DOM by major bacterial and archaeal groups in the western Arctic Ocean. ASLO
summer meeting, June, Santiago de Compstela, Spain. (Talk)
Kirchman, D.L., M.T. Cottrell, H. Elifantz, and R.R. Malmstrom. 2005. Linking bacterial
community structure and DOM fluxes in aquatic ecosystems. ASLO summer meeting,
June, Santiago de Compstela, Spain. (Talk)
Elifantz, H., R.R. Malmstrom, M.T. Cottrell, and D.L. Kirchman. 2004. Uptake of
extracellular polymeric substances and glucose by natural bacterial assemblages in the
Delaware Estuary. ASLO summer meeting, June, Savannah, Georgia, USA. (Talk)
Elifantz, H., and E. Tel-Or. 2002. Heavy metals accumulation by the macrophytes
Ludwigia stolonifera. Poster presentation. 34th Mid-Atlantic Industrial and Hazardous
Waste Conference. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. (Poster)
Professional activities
-
Peer reviewed papers for Aquatic Microbial Ecology.
Peer reviewed papers for FEMS Microbiology Ecology.
Peer reviewed papers for Microbial Ecology.
Member of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (2003-2005).
Member of the American Society of Microbiology (2008).
Member of the Israeli Society of Microbiology (2008-2010).
Member of the Israeli Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (2009)
Languages
Hebrew – excellent reading, writing, speaking, and understanding.
English – excellent reading, understanding. Very good writing and speaking.
Awards received
-
Student travel award – American Society of Limnology and Oceanography –
2003
-
Fulbright fellowship – 2002-2004.
-
M.Sc scholarship, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem – 2000-2001
-
Excellence scholarship from Tel-Hai Academic College – 1998.
Hila Elifantz - CV
-
The Jewish Agency scholarship for students learning at the north of Israel
colleges – 1997-1999.