faculty member

•    Studying the pollination and fertilization processes in deciduous (pear, apple, plum, apricot) and subtropical (avocado, lychee) fruit trees.    
•    Development of techniques for chemical thinning of deciduous trees to reduce hand-thinning costs. 
•    Development of innovative techniques to increase fruit size of deciduous trees in order to improve profitability   
•    Studying the fruit-cracking disorder in 'Pink Lady' apples and development of new techniques for reducing cracking. 
•    Studying the relationship between vegetative: fruiting balance  
Identification of the best rootstocks for growing apples and pears in the warm climate of Israel 

1.    Lecturer, Graduate course on Botany (Course # 1021204) at Tel-Hai Academic College (Biotechnology Sciences) from 2003 to 2007.
2.    Lecturer, Graduate course on Modern Agriculture (Course # 1011601), Tree Biology (Course # 1400012), Biology of Deciduous Fruit Trees (Course # 1400022), Biology of Subtropical Fruit Trees (Course # 1400021) at Tel-Hai College (Agricultural Sciences) from 2009 to date.
3.    Lecturer, on Botany in a course for wine industry (Cellar Master) and olive oil industry at Tel-Hai Academic College from 2004 to date.
4.     Lecturer, international course for foreign students (Agrostudy) "Biology of Subtropical Fruit Trees" at Tel-Hai College from 2011 to date. 
5.    Lecturer, basic course on “Plant bioregulators: Principle and Applications”, at the Extension Service of the Ministry of Agriculture from 1998 to date.
6.    Lecturer, Annual Meetings on “Pollination in Agricultural Crops” at the Volcani Center (1993 – lychee, 1995 – lychee, 1998 – apple, 2007 – deciduous).
7.    Lecturer, Annual Meetings on “Lychee Productivity”, at the Extension Service of the Ministry of Agriculture (1990-2000).
8.    Lecturer, Annual Meetings on “Apple and Pear Cultivation”, at the Extension Service of the Ministry of Agriculture from 1997 to date.
9.    Students: Arnon Dag, Post-Doctoral stage (1999-2000); Doron Schneider, PhD (1998-2002); Gal Sapir, Msc (2001-2002) and PhD (2003-2007); Anat Zisovich, MSc (with excellence 2002-2003) and PhD (2007-2012), Amir Raz, MSc (2005-2007) and PhD (2007-   ), Zlil Baras MSc (2011-2014), Paul Stal, MSc (2012-   ), Eytan Shimshovich, MSc (2013-2015), Yael Lev, MSc (2014-)  
10.    Secondary School Students: About 15 research studies (Final Projects) at the Sde-Eliyahu Regional School (Bet Shean Vally) and at schools in the Upper Galilee through the Association for the Advancement of Science Education in Galilee. 

2008:    10,000$ from the JCA charitable foundation for outstanding contribution to the development by unique, innovation and entrepreneurial projects (pollination and fertilization in Deciduous fruit). 

1988-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
    Title: Factors affecting litchi productivity.
Budget: 40,000 $/ year; 3 years, with S. Gazit as P.I. Researcher’s part: 30,000$/ year.
1991-     Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
    Title: Factors affecting litchi productivity.
Budget: 40,000 $/ year; 3 years, with S. Gazit as P.I. Researcher’s part: 30,000$/ year.
1993-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
    Title: Factors affecting litchi productivity.
Budget: 35,000 $/ year; 3 years, with S. Gazit as P.I. Researcher’s part: 35,000$/ year.
1994-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
    Title: Litchi fertility.
    Budget: 18,000$/ year; 1 year, P.I. Researcher’s part: 18,000$.
1995-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
    Title: Autumnal water stress in litchi.
    Budget: 30,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 24,000$/ year.
1996-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
    Title: Factors affecting litchi productivity.
Budget: 30,000 $/ year; 3 years, with S. Gazit as P.I. Researcher’s part: 30,000$/ year.
1998-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Reduction of biennial bearing and improving the productivity of the apple Red-Delicious.
Budget: 38,000$/ year; 3 years, with A. Erez as P.I. Researcher’s part: 25,000$/ year.
1999- Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Improving fruit size of apple and pear.
Budget: 50,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 35,000$/ year.
1999-    The Ministry of Science and Technology of Israel.
    Title: Identification of better pollenizers for Starking Delicious apple.
    Budget: 40,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.
1999- Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: New rootstocks and varieties for pears.
Budget: 35,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 35,000$/ year.
2000- Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Searching for the best pollenizer for Starking Delicious yield. 
Budget: 40,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.
2000- Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Raising yield and fruit size in litchi and bringing ripening forward by advancing blossoming, improving fruit set and reducing drop. 
Budget: 22,000$/ year; 3 years, with I. Adato as P.I. Researcher’s part: 10,000$/ year.
2001- Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Increasing yield of Japanese plum in Israel by determining genetic fit between male and female varieties by molecular techniques.
Budget: 35,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 35,000$/ year.
2001-   Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: The effect of post harvest irrigation rate on autumnal flowering in pear and tree performance in the following year.
Budget: 22,000$/ year; 3 years, with A. Naor as P.I. Researcher’s part: 5,000$/ year.
2001-  Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Improving water absorption capacity of deciduous trees grown on heavy soils by changing irrigation regime and improving soil structure.
Budget: 25,000$/ year; 3 years, with A. Naor as P.I. Researcher’s part: 5,000$/ year. 
2002-  Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Increasing yield of pear by improving cross-pollination and determining genetic compatibility between varieties. 
Budget: 28,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 24,000$/ year.
2002-  Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Improving fruit size of apple and Japanese plum. 
Budget: 30,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 25,000$/ year.
2002-  Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: New rootstocks and varieties for pears. 
Budget: 25,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 25,000$/ year.
2002-  Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Assessment of the color-net technology for improve productivity and fruit quality in apple. 
Budget: 30,000$/ year; 2 years, with Y. Shahak as P.I. Researcher’s part: 7,000$/ year.
2003-  Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Improving size of apricot and cherry. 
Budget: 30,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 30,000$/ year.
2003-  Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: The effect of shade nets on water consumption, fruit quality and microclimate in apple orchards. 
Budget: 30,000$/ year; 3 years, with J. Tanny as P.I. Researcher’s part: 5000$/  year. 
2004-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Increasing yield of Japanese plum in Israel by improving pollination and fertilization and by determining genetic fit between male and female varieties. 
Budget: 25,000$/ year; 2 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 25,000$/ year.
2004-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Assessment of the color-net technology to improve productivity and fruit quality in apple. 
Budget: 25,000$/ year; 3 years, with Y. Shahak as P.I. Researcher’s part: 5,000$/ year.
2005-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Development of alternative methods for hand thinning of peach and nectarine in order to reduce costs and to improve export potential.
Budget: 20,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 20,000$/ year.
2005-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Assessment of color-net technology to improve productivity and fruit quality in pears.
Budget: 30,000$/ year; 3 years, with Y. Shahak as P.I. Researcher’s part: 7,000$/ year.
2006-    ICA.
Title: Using microbiology technologies for overcoming fertility and quality constrains in deciduous tree plantation in northern Israel.
Budget: 100,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.
2006-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Using Methyl Jasmonate as a means for improving red color in apple. 
Budget: 25,000$/ year; 3 years with Y. Cohen as P.I. Researcher’s part: 7,000$/ year.
2006-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Increasing yield of Japanese plum and apricot, by improving pollination and fertilization and by determining genetic fit between male and female varieties.
Budget: 20,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 20,000$/ year.
2006-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Title: Increasing fertility and fruit size of ‘Spadona’ pear by controlling the vegetative growth.
    Budget: 20,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 20,000$/ year.
2006-    Market oriented R&D.
Title: Development of new methods for increasing the export potential of stone fruit.
Budget: 100,000$/ year; 2 years, with M. Flaishman as P.I. Researcher’s part: 10,000$/ year.
2007-    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Increasing fertility and fruit size of ‘Spadona’ and ‘Coscia’ pear by improving pollination and fertilization with better pollinators (Bumble bee) and pollenizers (new cultivars).
Budget: 30,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 30,000$/ year.
2007-    Horticultural Board. 
Title: Development of alternative methods for hand thinning of cherry in order to increase fruit size and reduce costs.
Budget: 10,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 10,000$/ year.
2008 -    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Development of alternative methods for hand thinning of Japanese plum and apricot in order to increase fruit size and reduce costs. 
Budget: 25,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 25,000$/ year.
2009 -    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Response of Deciduous orchards to multiple season severe water stress – physiology, horticultural and practical implications.   
Budget: 80,000$/ year; 3 years, with A. Naor as P.I. Researcher’s part: 15,000$/ year.
2009 -    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Development of alternative methods for hand thinning of cherry in order to increase fruit size and reduce costs.
Budget: 40,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.
2010 -    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Increasing fertility and fruit size of Delicious, Golden Delicious and Gala apple by controlling the vegetative growth.
Budget: 40,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.
2011 -    Horticultural Board and Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture
Title: Increasing fertility and fruit size of Delicious and Golden Delicious apple by improving pollination and fertilization with Bumble bees and better pollenizers.  
Budget: 30,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 30,000$/ year.
2011 -    Horticultural Board. 
Title: Reducing calyx-end cracking of 'Pink Lady' apple fruit.  
Budget: 10,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 10,000$/ year.
2011 -    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Evaluation of new training systems for the pear to reduce labor inputs and improve fruit quality.  
Budget: 45,000$/ year; 6 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 45,000$/ year.
2011 -    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Development of alternative methods for hand thinning of Stone fruits and Loquat.
Budget: 50,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 50,000$/ year.
2011 -    The Ministry of Science and Technology of Israel. 
Title: Infection process and rot production by Alternaria mali in apple fruit and development of disease control management. 
Budget: 33,000$/ year; 3 years with M. Reuveni as P.I. Researcher’s part: 10,000$/ year.
2011 -    Horticultural Board (Ministry of Agriculture Project) #596-0462-11
Title: Development of chemical thinning for apple and pear.  
Budget: 45,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 45,000$/ year.
2011 -    Horticultural Board (Ministry of Agriculture Project) #596-0474-11
Title: New rootstocks and varieties for deciduous fruit trees.  
Budget: 55,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 55,000$/ year.
2011 -    Horticultural Board (Ministry of Agriculture Project) #596-0473-11
Title: Improve the cultivation of Pink Lady apple fruit.  
Budget: 40,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.
2013 -    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Development of a DSS system for apple trees thinning based on precision agriculture principles. 
Budget: 120,000$/ year; 3 year with V. Elchanati as P.I. Researcher’s part: 30,000$/ year. 
2013 -    Horticultural Board (Ministry of Agriculture Project) #596-0531-13
Title: Evaluation of high density plantation of pear trees in order to reduce the incidence of fire blight disease.  
Budget: 40,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.
2014 -    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Introduction of deciduous fruit trees under local condition. 
Budget: 35,000$/ year; 3 year, P.I. Researcher’s part: 35,000$/ year. 
2014 -    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Identification and development of cianamid subststute for dormancy release in deciduous fruit trees. 
Budget: 32,000$/ year; 3 year, P.I. Researcher’s part: 32,000$/ year (+ matching from Horticultural Board of the same budget as above).
2014 -    Horticultural Board (Ministry of Agriculture Project) #596-0565-14
Title: Development of alternative methods for hand thinning of stone fruit.
Budget: 40,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.
2014 -    Horticultural Board (Ministry of Agriculture Project) #596-0575-14
Title: Development of chemical thinning for apple and pear.
Budget: 40,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.
2014 -    Horticultural Board (Ministry of Agriculture Project) #596-0574-14
Title: Increasing pollination of apple and pear by adding bumble bees to the orchards.
Budget: 30,000$/ year; 3 years, with G. Sapir as P.I. Researcher’s part: 20,000$/ year.
2014 -    Horticultural Board (Ministry of Agriculture Project) #596-xxx-14
Title: Introduction of new rootstocks for deciduous fruit trees under local conditions.
Budget: 40,000$/ year; 3 years, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.
2014 -    Horticultural Board (Ministry of Agriculture Project) #596-xxx-14
Title: The use of geothermic water to heat fruit trees in greenhouses for early marketing.
Budget: 60,000$/ year; 3 years, with A. Naor as P.I. Researcher’s part: 10,000$/ year.
2015 -    Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture. 
Title: Model plots in deciduous orchards in the Western Galilee to promote the implementation of new horticultural technology. 
Budget: 100,000$/ year; 3 year, with A. Naor as P.I. Researcher’s part: 20,000$/ year.

2016 -  Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.    

Title: Increasing 'Mauritius' litchi productivity and development new growth technologies to improve cultivation of early and late litchi cultivars.     

Budget: 40,000$/ year; 3 year, P.I. Researcher’s part: 40,000$/ year.

2016 -  Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.           

Title: New strategies for inhibiting litchi pericarp disorders after harvest.

Budget: 110,000$/ year; 3 year, with S. Harpaz as P.I. Researcher’s part: 10,000$/ year.

2016 -  Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Title: Evaluation and development of apple replanting tolerant rootstocks.

Budget: 35,000$/ year; 3 year, with N. Galpaz as P.I. Researcher’s part:  5,000$/ year.

http://english.telhai.ac.il/sites/default/files/publications/Stern1.pdf, http://english.telhai.ac.il/sites/default/files/publications/Stern2.pdf, http://english.telhai.ac.il/sites/default/files/publications/Stern3.pdf, http://english.telhai.ac.il/sites/default/files/publications/Stern4.pdf, http://english.telhai.ac.il/sites/default/files/publications/Stern5.pdf, http://english.telhai.ac.il/sites/default/files/publications/Stern6.pdf, http://english.telhai.ac.il/sites/default/files/publications/Stern7.pdf, http://english.telhai.ac.il/sites/default/files/publications/Stern8.pdf, http://english.telhai.ac.il/sites/default/files/publications/Stern9.pdf

PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL SEMINARS/MEETINGS
1992    International Congress on Horticulture, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
1992    International Symposium on Orchard and Plantation System, Israel.
1995    International Congress on Avocado.  Israel.
1996    International Congress on Mango.  Israel.
2000    International Symposium on litchi and longan, Guangzhou, China.
2000    International Symposium on pear growing, Bologna, Italy. 
2002     International Congress on Horticulture (26th), Toronto, Canada.
2004    International Symposium on pear growing, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
2005    International Symposium on cherry growing, Bursa, Turkey. 
2006     International Symposium on kiwifruit growing, Rotorua, New Zealand.
2006     International Congress on Horticulture (27th), Seoul, Korea
2007    International Symposium on pear growing, Peniche, Portugal. 
2007    International “Brainstorm” on fruit and vegetable for Africa, Nairobi, Kenya. 
2008    International Symposium on rootstock physiology, Geneva, N.Y. USA.
2009    International Symposium on cherry growing, Renaca, Chile.
2011     International Congress on Horticulture, Waikaloa, Hawaii, USA
2012    International Symposium on plant reproduction biology. Pecs, Hungary.  
2013     European Working Group on Fruit Thinning (EUFRIN), Lisbon, Portugal.
2013     International Symposium on cherry growing, Plasencia, Spain.
2014     European Working Group on Fruit Thinning (EUFRIN), Einsiedeln, Switzerland. 
2014     International Congress on Horticulture (29th), Brisbane, Australia.
2015     International Workshop on Alternate Bearing, Rehovot, Israel.

2014    International symposium on tropical fruit, Brisbane, Australia (Litchi fertility).