Dr. Alon Ben-Gal is a senior researcher in the Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, The Agricultural Research Organization – Volcani Institute, Gilat Research Center. Dr. Ben-Gal's interest focus is self-described as: "X-treme agriculture: managing water in the arid zones". His research and expertise include: irrigation of crops; agricultural utilization of non-conventional water sources including saline water, recycled wastewater, and desalinated water; optimization of water under irrigation in arid regions; plant response to environmental stress conditions; variable rate irrigation, and flow and transport of water and solutes in the vadose zone. Alon is the author of over 170 peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters.
Dr. Stavi works as a geographer at the Dead Sea and Arava Science Center (DSASC) in Israel. Ilan has gained experience in the field of geo-ecosystem functioning across the Israeli drylands. Specifically, he has focused on the topics of geo-ecology, land-use change, soil organic carbon dynamics, and surface processes, as well as on various aspects related with environmental quality.
Dr. Gary Gao is a professor and small fruit specialist with Ohio State University South Centers. He conducts research and extension programs on fruit production systems and secondary metabolites. Dr. Gao has authored or co-authored 21 Ohio State University Extension fact sheets. He is the editor and a coauthor of the award-winning “Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide.” He is also a coauthor of “Midwest Blueberry Production Guide” and “Blackberry and Their Hybrids.” Dr. Gao published many peer-reviewed journal articles. He is a columnist for American Fruit Grower magazine. He has hosted international groups through several USDA-funded projects.
Dr. Rafiq Islam is the Program Director of the Soil, Water, and Bioenergy Resources Program at The Ohio State University South Centers, Ohio, USA. His expertise spans soil health, nano-fertilization and soil amendments, chemical inducing and abiotic stress management, and bioenergy feedstock production within regenerative and climate-smart agriculture. A Fulbright Teaching Scholar, he has organized international workshops and conferences, advanced regenerative agricultural practices, and mentored future leaders. He has authored and coauthored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and books, delivered numerous international presentations, and received several U.S. House of Representatives recognitions for his global contributions to agriculture.