Lachan’s research focuses on the keystone echinoid species in the Mediterranean Sea, Paracentrotus lividus, a vital herbivore sea urchin contributing to the balance of algae assemblages. Two decades ago, this species was effectively extinct from the Israeli coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. She will examine the genetic structure of the Mediterranean population of P. lividus and the potential reproductive barriers within closely related individuals of P. lividus. Her study offers a novel perspective to examine the disappearance of P. lividus from the Israeli Mediterranean and is expected to promote scientific based decisions regarding the conservation and restoration of P. lividus population in the Israeli Mediterranean.

זכתה במלגת הצטיינות לסטודנטים לתארים מתקדמים עבור עידוד חקר ים התיכון תשפ”ג