David Israel

Main interests:

1)    Plant physiology   2) Aquaporins   3) Green roofs and walls   4) Permaculture

Education

9/2008 –               Master of Science in Plant Biology

3/2015                 Faculty of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland

Master’s project in the field of aquaporin ecophysiology (grade: magna cum laude approbatur)

Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology (2012)

8/2004 – 6/2007   A-levels with AICE Diploma, YO Diploma

                            Kulosaari Upper Secondary School, Helsinki, Finland

Current Positions

10/2015 –             PhD Student

present                Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Viikki Plant Science Centre, University of Helsinki, Finland

                            My work aims at determining the function of the plasma membrane aquaporins in regulating water flow in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In order to find out how aquaporins control water flow through the plant, I mostly employ ecophysiological techniques such as gas exchange measurements.

5/2015 -               Tour Guide and Substitute Teacher

present                Korkeasaaren eläintarha (Zoo of Helsinki)

The tour guide’s tasks are centred around providing customer experiences such as 90 min tours and short presentations during animal feeding times, but also include developing and implementation of seasonal programme and events. I also work at our zoo school substituting and supporting the main teacher.

1/2014 -               Language Editor

present                Leśne Prace Badawcze (Journal of the Forest Research Institute,

                            Sękocin Stary, Poland)

The articles in this journal cover a diverse range of topics related to forestry in Poland and are written in Polish. Abstracts for each publication are also provided in English.

1/2013 -               Course Instructor, lecturer

present                Faculty of Biosciences & Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Finland

Practical Course in Plant Anatomy and Physiology (Bachelor’s/Master’s level, lab training, taught in Finnish)

Wood Structure, Growth and Differentiation (Master’s level, microscopy and species identification , taught in English)

Plant Physiology lecture series (Bachelor’s level, taught in Finnish)

Work Experience

1/2019                 Consultant

                            iLi Consulting Engineers Mekong Ltd., Phnom Penh, Cambodia

For developing 200 ha of depleted forest into agricultural land, I was asked to evaluate site hydrology and soil composition for the suitability of Cashew (Anarcadium occidentale) production.

1 – 4/2018            Visiting Researcher

Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Canada

Using a hydroponic set up, I investigated the role of aquaporins in conducting hydrogen peroxide.

10 – 12/2015        Visiting Researcher

                            School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia

During this visit, I was introduced to advanced methodology in plant ecophysiology using the LICOR6400XT gas exchange system and applied the new techniques in a three-month experiment.

12/2014 – 4/2015  Research Assistant

Canopy Spectral Ecology and Ecophysiology (CanSEE) group, Faculty of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland

I helped to design and manage an experiment investigating the response of Arabidopsis thaliana to different light qualities.

3 – 8/2014            Research Assistant

Sensory and Phyisological Ecology of Plants (SenPEP) group, Faculty of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland

As part of a larger study, I carried out preliminary test to aid in the design of a project investigating the action spectrum of photo-morphogenic responses to UV radiation.

11 – 12/2013        Research Assistant

                            Ivy (Hedera helix) growth response to contrasting UV-environments

Canopy Spectral Ecology and Ecophysiology (CanSEE) group, Faculty of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland

I helped to manage as well as carry out measurements for an experiment with ivy (Hedera helix) exposed to contrasting UV-environments.

7/2010                 Research Assistant (Beech Ecophysiology)

                            Faculty of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Finland

I helped to manage as well as carry out measurements for an experiment on beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Notofagus antarctica seedlings under different light and moisture conditions.

8/2008 – 1/2014,  Terminal worker, Substitute Lead Sorter and Facility Security          

6 – 9/2015            Coordinator

                            United Parcel Service Finland Oy, Vantaa, Finland

My responsibilities as a terminal worker were to sort, scan and load packages into containers. In my capacity as a lead sorter, I managed a team of 10 terminal workers to ensure a continuous workflow and coordinated the work in our terminal with the division located at the airport. As facility security coordinator, I enforced correct safety procedures for all packages delivered by air mail, did regular auditions for our security staff and filed daily performance reports.

9/2007 – 5/2008   Non-military Service

                            Jugendkulturzentrum Gladhouse, Cottbus, Germany

My main tasks included equipment maintenance, preparing events and tending to the facility grounds.

Project management

10/2015 –             PhD Student

present                Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Viikki Plant Science Centre, University of Helsinki, Finland

For my PhD project, I am solely responsible for drafting schedules, setting up and managing experiments as well as coordinating with other group members and collaborators. As a self-funded student, I also apply for funds and manage the project finances by myself.

Volunteer work

8/2018 –               Environmental Committee at the University of Helsinki

12/2020                As a member of the committee, I am involved in planning and preparing events and campaigns that are aimed to implement concrete changes at the university, but also raise environmental awareness on a broader scale.

5/2017 –               HOAS (Student Housing) Tenant Committee

4/2020                  The committee is meant as a support for tenants giving advice, solving problems and managing keys as well as garden plots. We also manage a budget of 5500€/year to be spend on maintaining and improving the property and surroundings as well as maintaining common spaces. My personal responsibility are the garden plots, assigning them to tenants, maintaining the grounds and organising regular info sessions.

Language Skills

German               mother tongue

English                 fluent

Finnish                 spoken – fluent

                            written – good/fluent

Skills

Software

Microsoft Office

CorelDrawX6

Photoshop

Davinci Resolve 15

Adobe Premier Pro CC

R and RStudio

EndNote

ImageJ

RootReader2D

Equipment

LICOR6400XT

GFS3000

Soil moisture probes

Light microscopes

Spectrophotometer

Vaisala CO₂ probe

Dualex and Spad

Methods

Advanced gas exchange

Preparing solutions

RNA and DNA extraction

PCR and qPCR

Gel electrophoresis

TLC chromatography