Background

Shai is a computational ecologist. He is mostly interested in the application of network theory to ecological systems, specifically in the field of disease ecology. He obtained his PhD from BGU and the continued to a postdoc at the lab of Mercedes Pascual, at the University of chicago, funded by James S. McDonnell Foundation and Fulbright postdoctoral fellowships. His research interests involve the application of network theory to ecological systems, specifically in the field of disease ecology. In his early career, heI was an avid field ecologist and worked in a variety of ecosystems, including seasonal winter pools, tropical forests and desert habitats.

Current Projects

We strive to characterize the complexity of ecological systems and understand its nature and consequences. Our research combines modeling, simulations, data analysis and ecological/evolutionary theory in a variety of systems and across levels: from the molecular (genes), to individuals, to species assemblages to meta-communities. We collaborate with super-smart people in Israel and internationally. Lying on the interface between biology and network science, our work is by definition multidisciplinary. This provides excellent opportunities for students to work on interesting and challenging topics while gaining a broad set of skills to conduct research both in academia and outside. We believe in making honest, open science in a way that is engaging, collaborative and emphasizes good working-relations.

Recent Publications

Pilosof S, He Q, Tiedje KE, Ruybal S, Day K, Pascual M. (2019) Competition for hosts modulates vast antigenic diversity to generate persistent strain structure in Plasmodium falciparum. PLOS Biology 17(6): e3000336.
Pilosof S, Porter MA, Pascual M, Kéfi S (2017) The Multilayer Nature of Ecological Networks. Nature Ecology and Evolution 1:0101

Pilosof S, Morand S, Krasnov BR, Nunn CL (2015) Potential parasite transmission in multi-host networks based on parasite sharing. PLoS One 10.1371/journal.pone.0117909.

Pilosof S, Fortuna M, Cosson J-F, Galan M, Ribas A, Chaisiri K, Segal E, Krasnov BR, Morand S, Bascompte J (2014) Host-parasite network structure is associated with community-level immunogenetic diversity. Nature Communications. doi:10.1038/ncomms6172

Pilosof S, Fortuna MA, Vinarski MV, Korallo-Vinarskaya NP, Krasnov BR (2013) Temporal dynamics of direct reciprocal and indirect effects in a host-parasite network. J Anim Ecol 82:987–996

Ph.D. Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 2016.