Or Eliason was previously a PhD student researching marine microbiology under the supervision of Dr. Einat Segev in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the Weizmann Institute. He has a BSc in Biology and Geology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and an MSc in Biogeochemistry from the Weizmann Institute of Science.

In his work, Or investigated the role of vitamin D in the marine environment, and specifically in unicellular algae. While the effects of vitamin D in human biology and health is researched extensively, no knowledge exists on its biochemistry in organisms outside the animal kingdom. Or has discovered that the activity of vitamin D in algae holds many similarities to its effect in mammals, most notably the uptake of calcium and the regulation of the stress response. His research sheds new light on an ancient mechanism of sensing exposure to harmful radiation, which likely evolved in the very first steps of eukaryotes on Earth.

In addition to his research, Or is an active journalist for the website of the Davidson Institute of Science Education, writing on scientific developments in the fields of geology and climate.