Growing up in Israel, I spent many weekends in the Mediterranean Sea where my love of the ocean begun. It was always clear to me that I would pursue a career in marine sciences. After serving in the Israeli Navy I completed my B.S. in Marine Biotechnology at the Ruppin Academic Center. During my undergrad I worked as a diving instructor at the Caesarea underwater archeological park as well as in the Red Sea. In addition, I worked at number of sailing clubs. After graduating, I worked as a research assistant for Dr. Tali Mass, at the University of Haifa as well as a teaching assistant in an oceanographic cruise course at the Ruppin Academic Center.
At Rutgers, I am currently starting my 5th year of the PhD program in Oceanography under the guidance of Dr. Paul Falkowski. My primary research interest is in biophysics of marine photosynthesis.
![](https://marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/sherman2-1024x768.jpg)
My PhD thesis focuses on characterizing the biophysical mechanisms and processes that control phytoplankton physiology and their photosynthetic efficiency. I am mostly interested in understanding how nutrients and light availability regulate this efficiency in the global ocean.
I aim to link fundamental mechanisms, based on laboratory studies, to ecologically relevant dynamics in the global ocean.
![](https://marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/sherman3-1024x683.jpg)
In my research I primarily use custom built fluorometers which I have taken on research cruises to the West Antarctic Peninsula as well as across the Equatorial Atlantic. The last component of my research links the physiology of phytoplankton which I measure on cruises to satellite observations, in an attempt to increase our spatial and temporal understating of these processes in the ocean.
![](https://marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/sherman4-1024x768.jpg)
In my “free time” I like to spend as much time as possible outdoors with my family (wife and 2-year-old son). We love to hike, go to the beach, swim and eat good food.