Two pioneering studies by researchers from the School of Zoology and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University, led by Dr. Omri Bronstein, have identified the primary drivers of sea urchin mass mortality events over recent decades: pathogens, storms, and extreme temperatures. In addition, Dr. Bronstein and his team have developed an innovative method for genetic sampling in marine environments—using a swab similar to a COVID-19 test—to enable rapid and non-invasive monitoring of marine animals and underwater disease outbreaks.