ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

• ​B.Sc. | 1985 | Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Dept. of Geology
• M.Sc. | 1988​ | Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Dept. of Geology
• ​M.S. | 1990 | University of California, Berkeley | Dept. of Civil Engineering
• ​Ph.D. | 1992 ​University of California, Berkeley​​ (Advisor: Prof. R. E. Goodman​) |​Dept. of Civil Engineering

​RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Geological engineering and rock mechanics​
• Mechanical behavior of intact rock and rock discontinuities​
• Block theory and Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA)
• Stability of rock slopes and underground openings

MAJOR PROFESSIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Associate Editor (2020 - 2024): Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
• Editorial Board Member (2005-2024): International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences
• Editorial Board Member (2009 – Present): Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
• Chair (2013-2017), Dept. of Geological and Environmental Sciences, BGU
• President (2011- 2019): ISRM Commission on Discontinuous Deformation Analysis
• Founding President (2001-2014): Israel Rock Mechanics Association (ISRM-NG)
• President (2004-5): Geological Society of Israel​​

AWARDS AND HONORS

• 2016 - BGU Rector Award for Excellence in Teaching.
• 2012 – 2017 Visiting Professorship Award for Leading International Scientists, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Wuhan, China
• 2011 - Dean of BGU Natural Sciences Faculty Award for Excellence in Research.
• 2011 - American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA) Applied Rock Mechanics Award.
• 2011 - BGU Rector Award for Exc​​ellence in Teaching.
• ​2010 - Dean of BGU Natural Sciences Faculty Citation for Excellence in Teaching.
• 2007 - Appointed as the Dr. Sam and Edna Lemkin Chair in Rock Mechanics by BGU Senate.
• 2006 - Dean of BGU Natural Sciences Faculty Citation for Excellence in Teaching.
• 2003 - Shamshar Prakash Foundation Award for Excellence in the Practice: for Significant Contribution to Geotechnical Engineering.
• 2000 - Israel Mineral Science and Engineering Association award: for innovative research in geological ​engineering and for promotin​g geological engineering in Israel.