Dr. Netanel Kramer

Netanel's research focuses on understanding the light-harvesting mechanisms in corals inhabiting the "hidden" reefs of deeper waters, namely the mesophotic environment (30-150m depth). He aims to understand how photosynthetic corals thrive and survive despite extreme low-light conditions, and applies this knowledge to support coral reef restoration efforts through advanced optical analysis and imaging technologies, including photogrammetry, micro-CT, and optical coherence tomography.. Netanel earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Tel Aviv University, where he has studied the recruitment dynamics of mesophotic corals, investigated the interaction of light and coral morphology across shallow-to-mesophotic depths, and explored the effects of light pollution at night on the coral's ability to capture light and photosynthesize. In his free time, he enjoys running, baking, and spending time at the beach.