Ofira Keren

BSc Project Affiliated Student

Ofira Keren is a B.Sc. student in Natural Sciences at the Open University of Israel, with a strong academic interest in paleoclimatology, sedimentology, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Her scientific interests focus on understanding Earth's climatic and environmental history through the investigation of sedimentary records, geological processes, and geochemical indicators preserved in natural archives. She is particularly interested in developing practical research skills in sediment core analysis, sedimentological and stratigraphic investigations, laboratory techniques, and geological data interpretation. Ofira aims to pursue an M.Sc. in Marine Geosciences at the University of Haifa under the supervision of Prof. Nicolas Waldmann, focusing on paleoclimate research and the reconstruction of past environmental changes.

+972-4-6647900

dana.zaghal7@gmail.com

Multipurpose bldg. #130

Current research

Paleoclimate and Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction Through Lacustrine Sedimentary Records

Ofira's primary research interests lie in the reconstruction of past climatic and environmental conditions through the investigation of lacustrine sedimentary records and geological archives. She is particularly interested in understanding how lake sediments preserve evidence of climatic variability, environmental transformations, and changes in surrounding ecosystems over geological timescales. Her proposed research direction involves examining sediment cores to investigate variations in sediment composition, stratigraphy, grain size, and mineralogical characteristics. These sedimentological properties may provide valuable insights into past depositional environments, changes in sediment supply, hydrological conditions, and climatic processes. Another area of interest is the application of geochemical proxies, including carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, to investigate historical changes in environmental conditions. The integration of elemental and isotopic analyses may contribute to identifying variations in organic matter sources, biological productivity, and potential terrestrial or marine influences on sedimentary environments.

Ofira is also interested in exploring the use of biological indicators, particularly fossil pollen and other preserved biological remains, as complementary tools for reconstructing past vegetation, ecosystem dynamics, and climatic conditions. An additional aspect of her research interests involves investigating potential relationships between past climatic fluctuations and changes in aquatic ecosystems, including variations in biological productivity and the abundance of aquatic organisms. Such investigations may help clarify how lake ecosystems responded to environmental changes over time. By integrating sedimentological, stratigraphic, geochemical, and biological evidence, Ofira hopes to develop a comprehensive understanding of how geological archives can be used to reconstruct past environmental conditions and identify long-term climatic trends. Her long-term academic goal is to contribute to paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental research through the application of multidisciplinary geological methods, while developing the laboratory and analytical skills necessary for advanced scientific research.

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