
About Dr. Yiftach Golov
Dr. Yiftach Golov
Founder
Partner and Founder, Co-CEO of Certainty lab — Head of our scientific team
Professional Identity and Mission
I am Dr. Yiftach Golov, Co-CEO of Certainty lab and head of our scientific team. As a multidisciplinary scientist with a core expertise in biophysics, I thrive at the intersection of disciplines, specializing in translating advanced scientific methodologies into precision solutions for complex, real-world challenges. My passion lies in applying science to solve meaningful problems, and I bring this mindset to every project at Certainty lab. Beyond my sci-management role, I enjoy sharing knowledge as a lecturer in the private sector, where I engage audiences on the frontiers of philosophy, science, and technology — igniting new perspectives and transformative insights.
Origins of Scientific Curiosity
My scientific journey began in childhood, wandering the northern countryside of Israel, captivated by the mysterious beauty of nature. This deep curiosity became the driving force behind my academic path. I hold a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) in Marine Biology from Ruppin Academic Center's Faculty of Marine Sciences, followed by a Master's degree (M.Sc.) in Ecology and Evolution at Tel Aviv University's School of Zoology. I then earned my PhD from the Porter School of Environmental Studies at Tel Aviv University — a renowned multidisciplinary center within the Faculty of Exact Sciences — where my doctoral research on biological flows was recognized with a Certificate of Excellence for outstanding academic achievement.
Multidisciplinary Foundations and Achievements
My PhD experience truly reflects my "intellectual DNA," shaped by the guidance of four supervisors from distinct fields and institutions: ecology (Tel Aviv University), biology and agriscience (Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization of Israel), nanochemistry (Bar Ilan University), and fluid mechanics (external consulting, Coastal Carolina University). This unique, interdisciplinary mentorship enabled me to integrate diverse scientific perspectives, fostering innovative approaches and broadening my academic horizons. Through my academic journey I have published papers in highly-ranked scientific journals across multiple fields. Alongside my research, I am passionate about communicating complex ideas in an engaging and accessible way — a talent recognized through multiple awards and distinctions at academic conferences.
Intellectual Passion and Applied Innovation
Driven by my multidisciplinary background, my intellectual passions span a broad spectrum — from philosophy, mathematics, and computational science to chemical and sensory ecology, movement ecology, evolution, biomimicry, biotechnology, nanotechnology, environmental sciences, and applied science. I am especially passionate about transforming theory into practice. Notable projects include: creating an open-source benchmark for numerical models simulating nocturnal moth navigation under varying environmental conditions; pioneering a state-of-the-art technology to track sex pheromone movement using nanoparticles and fluorescent markers; and advancing modeling-driven, precision management for environmentally friendly mating disruption methods.
A Defining Turning Point: the Pursuit of Certainty
The Hamas massacre of October 7th marked a profound turning point in my personal life. As a committed Zionist and patriot, I became deeply involved in various volunteer initiatives and operational headquarters, dedicating over six months to developing technological infrastructures, fundraising, logistics, and active engagement across both social and conventional media. This intensely personal experience in the aftermath of October 7th underscored, more than ever, the vital importance of certainty. It is this need — for clarity, stability, and purposeful direction — that continues to drive my work at Certainty lab.
Awards & Scholarships
- Certificate of Excellence award for remarkable academic achievements, Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University
- Travel Grant award by the International Society for Behavioral Ecology (ISBE), Stockholm conference, Sweden, 2022
- 1st place in the PhDs' competition for the best briefed lecture, 36th Annual Conference of the International Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE), 2020-2021
- 1st place in the PhDs' competition for the best briefed lecture, 48th Annual Conference of the Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (ISEES), 2020-2021
- 2nd place in the PhDs' competition for the best lecture, 37th Conference of the Entomological Society of Israel, Volcani Center, 2019-2020
- Excellence in Teaching Award as a teaching assistant, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, 2014-2015
Publications
- Golov, Y., Gurka, R., Liberzon, A., & Harari, A. (2025). Physical and biological effects on moths' navigation performance. Movement Ecology, 13(1), 17.
- Golov, Y., Liberzon, A., Gurka, R., Soroker, V., Jurenka, R., & Harari, A. (2021). Navigation in an odorant-landscape: mate finding and mate choice in a nocturnal moth. Entomologia Generalis.
- Golov, Y., Benelli, N., Gurka, R., Harari, A., Zilman, G., & Liberzon, A. (2021). Open-source computational simulation of moth-inspired navigation algorithm: a benchmark framework. MethodsX.
- Gonzalez-Karlsson, A., Golov, Y., et al. (2021). Males perceive honest information from female released sex pheromone in a moth. Behavioral Ecology.
- Golov, Y., Rillich, J., Harari, A., & Ayali, A. (2018). Precopulatory behavior and sexual conflict in the desert locust. PeerJ.
- Golov, Y., Rillich, J., Douek, M., Harari, A. R., & Ayali, A. (2018). Sexual behavior of the desert locust during intra- and interphase interactions. Journal of Insect Behavior.