Research Area
Shimrit joined COMI in January 2026, focusing her work on the analytical and experimental factors addressing how soil conditions and environmental stressors affect pollinator health and functioning. Given that many pollinators—including bees, wasps, and beetles—rely on soil for critical life stages like nesting and overwintering, understanding these underground habitats is essential for ecosystem health. Shimrit’s primary research investigates the interaction between the soil microbiome and the microbiomes of these soil-dependent pollinators, aiming to define the key functional traits that determine their health and disease using metagenomics. Additionally, she is exploring the role of insects as vectors for the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes under varying environmental conditions. Her work is embedded within the EU project ProPollSoil .