Dr. Nilli Zmora

Associate Professor · Non-Tenure Track

Department of Marine Biotechnology

College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences

She/Her/Hers/Herself

About

2021-current, Research Associate Professor. University of Maryland Baltimore County Department of Marine Biotechnology. Earned my PhD from the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheva, Israel studying Crustacean Endocrinology. Then a PostDoc position in Prof. Zohar lab and a Research Assistant Faculty.

Research interests

My research field is reproductive neuroendocrinology of fish. Specifically, I am focused on understanding the process of puberty and ways to manipulate (delay or accelerate) the process. In addition, I am exploring the possiblity of developing a DNA based avaccine against mycobacterium marinu,

Teaching interests

I am interested in teaching Endocrinology to undergraduate and graduate students.

Education

  • Ph D, Crustacean reproductive Endocrinology — Ben-Gurion University at the Negev (2009)
    Endocrine regulation of reproduction in the female blue crab, Callinectes sapidus by neuropeptides of the XO- Sinus gland complex
  • MS, Fish reproductive Neuroendocrinology — Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University at the Negev (2001)
    Development of tools for studying the GnRH system in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and their utilization
  • BA, Biochemistry — Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University at the Negev Beer-Sheva, Israel (1983)

Publications

  • GnRH-gonadotropes interactions revealed by single-cell transcriptomics in zebrafish. 2024 Endocrinology · 165: (12) · pp. bqae151 Sakura Tanaka, Yang Yu, Berta Levavi-Sivan, Nilli Zmora, Yonathan Zohar
  • The gonadotropin-releasing hormones- lessons from fish 2020 General Comparative Endocrinology · 291 · pp. 113422 Jose Antonio Munoz-Cueto, Nilli Zmora, J. A Paullada-Salmerón, Miranda Marvel, Evaristo Mananos, Yonathan Zohar
  • The GNIH (Lpxrfa) system’s regulation of reproduction in the brain-pituitary axis of the zebrafish (Danio rerio). 2017 Biology of Reproduction · 96 (5) · pp. 1031-1042 Olivia Smith-Spicer, Nilli Zmora, Ten-Tsao Wong, Matan Golan, Berta Levavi-Sivan, Yoav Gothilf, Yonathan Zohar
  • Chemogenetic depletion of hypophysiotropic GnRH neurons does not affect fertility in mature female zebrafish International Journal of Molecular Sciences Sakura Tanaka, Nilli Zmora, Berta Levavi-Sivan, Yonathan Zohar
  • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 (Gnrh2) is necessary for reproductive success and oocyte maturation in fasted zebrafish (Danio rerio) Endocrinology Miranda Marvel, Ten-Tsao Wong, Nilli Zmora, Yonathan Zohar

Presentations

  • Possible roles for GnRH3 in regulating pituitaryorganization in female zebrafish as revealed by neuronal ablation and snRNA sequencing 2023 12th International Symposium on Fish Reproductive Physiology · Keynote/Plenary Address Yonathan Zohar (Author & Presenter), Miranda Marvel (Author), Olivia Spicer (Author), Ten-Tsao Wong (Author), Nilli Zmora (Author)

Grants and Contracts

  • Developing a plasmid-based hormonal treatment to accelerate puberty without compromising fecundity in salmonids 2022 BARD · Grant · Funded
  • Rethinking the Control of Reproduction in the Zebrafish Model: Examination of the Roles of Gnrh Neurons in Reproduction. 2020 IMET Innovations in Science Program · Sponsored Research · Funded Yonathan Zohar (Principal), Sakura Tanaka (Supporting), Nilli Zmora (Co-Principal)
  • Unraveling the neuropeptide network modulating photoperiod-induced reproduction and growth in fish USDA-NIFA · Grant · Not Funded Yonathan Zohar, Nilli Zmora (Co-Principal)