Dr. Elad Oren is a former Va’adia-BARD Postdoc fellow at Cornell University
What was the main focus of your postdoc work?
“The focus of my postdoc work was understanding and predicting nitrogen remobilization in perennial grasses. My research explores the genetic landscape of how nitrogen is stored in underground tissues like roots and rhizomes during dormancy and how these processes differ between annual and perennial species. This work aims to improve nitrogen availability between crop cycles, potentially reducing fertilizer input required thereby enhancing sustainability in agricultural practices.”
What got you interested in nutrient sensing in plant growth?
“I became interested in nutrient sensing because of its crucial role in agricultural sustainability. Plants’ ability to efficiently manage nitrogen can significantly impact N2O emissions. Perennial grasses have sophisticated mechanisms for nutrient storage and remobilization that are not well understood, and this complexity drew me into the field.”
What have you been doing after your postdoctoral research?
“After my postdoctoral research, I started a research position at the Agriculture Research Organization, Newe Ya’ar, Israel. I am focusing on cucurbit genomics and breeding, and I am in the process of establishing a lab that will develop nutritional, resilient cultivars and explore the genetics of specialized metabolites in cucurbits, especially pumpkins and melons.”
What tip would you give someone beginning their postdoctoral research?
“My advice to new postdoctoral researchers would be to focus on open-source, free data analysis tools early in your research. Whether you’re working with genomics, proteomics, or any other data-heavy field, mastering data analysis can make all the difference. It’s equally important to understand your strengths and weaknesses early on. Rather than spending excessive time trying to acquire new skills that take more than a couple of weeks to learn, consider forming collaborations to fill in those gaps. This allows you to focus on your core strengths while benefiting from others’ expertise. And finally, don’t miss any seminars or workshops—they’re an excellent way to stay up-to-date and expand your network.”