Speakers

  • Prof. Asaph Aharoni

    Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Petach Tikva, Israel in 1966, Prof. Asaph Aharoni earned a BSc in agronomy (1994) and an MSc (1996) in agricultural sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a PhD (2002) in plant sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, where he also did postdoctoral research. He joined the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Plant Sciences in August of 2004.

    Born in Petach Tikva, Israel in 1966, Prof. Asaph Aharoni earned a BSc in agronomy (1994) and an MSc (1996) in agricultural sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a PhD (2002) in plant sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, where he also did postdoctoral research. He joined the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Plant Sciences in August of 2004.

    Prof. Aharoni focuses on the remarkable diversity of chemicals—such as sugars, fatty and amino acids, and vitamins—produced by plant species worldwide that help plants cope with a changing environment. His insights may one day be translated into methods for increasing the nutritional and health value of plants, of particular interest for developing countries where daily sustenance largely depends on plants. In 2010, Dr. Aharoni participated in an international collaborative effort involving 74 researchers from 38 research institutes that produced the full genome of a wild strawberry plant.

    Prof. Aharoni received the James Heineman Research Award for Biological and Biomedical research in 2010 and the Levinson Prize in Biology in 2008. He was the recipient of a European Research Grant for Starting Independent Investigators (2008) and of the Yigal Alon Fellowship awarded by the Council for Higher Education (2005). In 2004, he received the Sir Charles Clore Prize for Outstanding Appointment as Senior Scientist in the Experimental Science.. His previous prizes and honors include: the Competitive scholarship for the postdoctoral position from the Centre for Biosystems Genomics (CBSG), the Netherlands (2003), the Plant Research International award (twice, in 2000 and 2001), and the CPRO-DLO Institute award (in 1998 and 1999.

    Prof. Aharoni has been involved with plants all his life – when he was young he helped his family with the kumquat harvest, played in the shade of the orange groves, and was even “head gardener” of his Scouts group.

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    Prof. Asaph Aharoni

    Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Petach Tikva, Israel in 1966, Prof. Asaph Aharoni earned a BSc in agronomy (1994) and an MSc (1996) in agricultural sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a PhD (2002) in plant sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, where he also did postdoctoral research. He joined the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Plant Sciences in August of 2004.

    Prof. Aharoni focuses on the remarkable diversity of chemicals—such as sugars, fatty and amino acids, and vitamins—produced by plant species worldwide that help plants cope with a changing environment. His insights may one day be translated into methods for increasing the nutritional and health value of plants, of particular interest for developing countries where daily sustenance largely depends on plants. In 2010, Dr. Aharoni participated in an international collaborative effort involving 74 researchers from 38 research institutes that produced the full genome of a wild strawberry plant.

    Prof. Aharoni received the James Heineman Research Award for Biological and Biomedical research in 2010 and the Levinson Prize in Biology in 2008. He was the recipient of a European Research Grant for Starting Independent Investigators (2008) and of the Yigal Alon Fellowship awarded by the Council for Higher Education (2005). In 2004, he received the Sir Charles Clore Prize for Outstanding Appointment as Senior Scientist in the Experimental Science.. His previous prizes and honors include: the Competitive scholarship for the postdoctoral position from the Centre for Biosystems Genomics (CBSG), the Netherlands (2003), the Plant Research International award (twice, in 2000 and 2001), and the CPRO-DLO Institute award (in 1998 and 1999.

    Prof. Aharoni has been involved with plants all his life – when he was young he helped his family with the kumquat harvest, played in the shade of the orange groves, and was even “head gardener” of his Scouts group.

  • Nivi Alroy

    Multidisciplinary Artist
    Israel

    Nivi Alroy is a multidisciplinary artist who lives in Israel. Her focus is drawing, sculpture, animation and installation. Nivi received her BFA from Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, and her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York.

    Nivi Alroy is a multidisciplinary artist who lives in Israel. Her focus is drawing, sculpture, animation and installation. Nivi received her BFA from Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, and her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York.

    Alroy was the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Life Sciences Artist in Residence in 2015-16.

    She is the recipient of the Ahuvi Most Promising Artist award, two Israel Lotto grants, the Rabinovich Foundation grant, an Artis grant, a Tel Aviv Special Projects grant and more. Alroy took part in the Triangle Workshop and the A.I.R. Gallery residency programs in New York and the Asylum Arts retreat. Her work has been exhibited in Israel and internationally. In addition to her studio practice, Alroy teaches fine arts and design at Bezalel and at the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo. She is an arts and design consultant for the America-Israel Cultural Foundation.

    In addition to her collaborations with researchers and scientists, Alroy is working on a dance/animation/sculpture show with choreographer Ella Rothschild entitled “Flood,” a solo show at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art and a site-specific installation the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.

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    Nivi Alroy

    Multidisciplinary Artist
    Israel

    Nivi Alroy is a multidisciplinary artist who lives in Israel. Her focus is drawing, sculpture, animation and installation. Nivi received her BFA from Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, and her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York.

    Alroy was the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Life Sciences Artist in Residence in 2015-16.

    She is the recipient of the Ahuvi Most Promising Artist award, two Israel Lotto grants, the Rabinovich Foundation grant, an Artis grant, a Tel Aviv Special Projects grant and more. Alroy took part in the Triangle Workshop and the A.I.R. Gallery residency programs in New York and the Asylum Arts retreat. Her work has been exhibited in Israel and internationally. In addition to her studio practice, Alroy teaches fine arts and design at Bezalel and at the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo. She is an arts and design consultant for the America-Israel Cultural Foundation.

    In addition to her collaborations with researchers and scientists, Alroy is working on a dance/animation/sculpture show with choreographer Ella Rothschild entitled “Flood,” a solo show at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art and a site-specific installation the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.

  • Prof. Ido Amit

    Department of Immunology
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born on Kibbutz Hazor, Prof. Ido Amit earned his BSc (2000) and MSc (2002) in life sciences from Bar-Ilan University. He earned a PhD in biological regulation at the Weizmann Institute of Science in 2007. For four years, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Broad Institute of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, before joining the Weizmann Institute in 2011.

    Born on Kibbutz Hazor, Prof. Ido Amit earned his BSc (2000) and MSc (2002) in life sciences from Bar-Ilan University. He earned a PhD in biological regulation at the Weizmann Institute of Science in 2007. For four years, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Broad Institute of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, before joining the Weizmann Institute in 2011. He is the incumbent of the Alan and Laraine Fischer Career Development Chair.

    Prof. Amit aims at elucidating how humans encode complex regulatory functions in their genomes with a focus on haematopoiesis – the formation of blood cells -  and immune responses. Using concepts from functional genomics, molecular biology, computer science, physics, and biotechnology, he studies fundamental principles of genome function and regulation and how they affect blood development and immune homeostasis in both health and disease—which, he hopes, will bridge the gap between our understanding of an individual’s personal genome and the physiological consequences in health and disease. In 2014 he published two articles in Science and one in Cell challenging current knowledge of regulatory regions in the genome and how they affect our immune system function in both health and disease. For his reaserch Prof. Amit develops cutting-edge single-cell next-generation sequencing approaches to crack the regulatory code. These novel methods , it is hoped, will advance diagnostics and personalized treatment based on an individual’s genome.

    His honors include the Krill Prize for Excellence in Scientific Research, the Ernest and Bonnie Beutler Award, the Morris Levinson Prize in Biology, and an EMBO Gold Medal in 2015. He was also a Yigal Alon Foundation Scholar, a recipient of a Starting Scientist Award, and a  European Research Council grant recipient, (2012) , as well as being elected an EMBO Young Investigator in 2013. He received a BIKURA first award of the Israel Science Foundation, a Career Development Award, and long-term fellowship from the Human Frontiers Science Program (2008-2011), scholarship, the Claire and Emanuel G. Rosenblatt Fellowship Award (2009),  and a scholarship for the 47th  International Academy of Achievements Summit (2008).

    Prof. Amit enjoys hiking and spending time with his family, as well as road and mountain biking.

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    Prof. Ido Amit

    Department of Immunology
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born on Kibbutz Hazor, Prof. Ido Amit earned his BSc (2000) and MSc (2002) in life sciences from Bar-Ilan University. He earned a PhD in biological regulation at the Weizmann Institute of Science in 2007. For four years, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Broad Institute of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, before joining the Weizmann Institute in 2011. He is the incumbent of the Alan and Laraine Fischer Career Development Chair.

    Prof. Amit aims at elucidating how humans encode complex regulatory functions in their genomes with a focus on haematopoiesis – the formation of blood cells -  and immune responses. Using concepts from functional genomics, molecular biology, computer science, physics, and biotechnology, he studies fundamental principles of genome function and regulation and how they affect blood development and immune homeostasis in both health and disease—which, he hopes, will bridge the gap between our understanding of an individual’s personal genome and the physiological consequences in health and disease. In 2014 he published two articles in Science and one in Cell challenging current knowledge of regulatory regions in the genome and how they affect our immune system function in both health and disease. For his reaserch Prof. Amit develops cutting-edge single-cell next-generation sequencing approaches to crack the regulatory code. These novel methods , it is hoped, will advance diagnostics and personalized treatment based on an individual’s genome.

    His honors include the Krill Prize for Excellence in Scientific Research, the Ernest and Bonnie Beutler Award, the Morris Levinson Prize in Biology, and an EMBO Gold Medal in 2015. He was also a Yigal Alon Foundation Scholar, a recipient of a Starting Scientist Award, and a  European Research Council grant recipient, (2012) , as well as being elected an EMBO Young Investigator in 2013. He received a BIKURA first award of the Israel Science Foundation, a Career Development Award, and long-term fellowship from the Human Frontiers Science Program (2008-2011), scholarship, the Claire and Emanuel G. Rosenblatt Fellowship Award (2009),  and a scholarship for the 47th  International Academy of Achievements Summit (2008).

    Prof. Amit enjoys hiking and spending time with his family, as well as road and mountain biking.

  • Institute Professor Ruth Arnon

    Department of Immunology
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Ruth Arnon earned both her MSc (1955) and her PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1960) prior to joining the Weizmann Institute in 1960. She is the incumbent of the Paul Ehrlich Chair in Immunochemistry and has held a number of senior posts at the Institute, including Head of the Department of Chemical Immunology (1973-1974 and 1975-1978), Dean of Biology (1985-1988), and Vice President (1988-1997).

    Prof. Ruth Arnon earned both her MSc (1955) and her PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1960) prior to joining the Weizmann Institute in 1960. She is the incumbent of the Paul Ehrlich Chair in Immunochemistry and has held a number of senior posts at the Institute, including Head of the Department of Chemical Immunology (1973-1974 and 1975-1978), Dean of Biology (1985-1988), and Vice President (1988-1997).

    Prof. Arnon has made significant contributions to the fields of vaccine development and cancer research, and to the study of parasitic diseases. She co-developed Copaxone®, a multiple sclerosis (MS) drug currently marketed worldwide. She continues to focus on the mechanism by which Copaxone exerts its beneficial effect. For example, Copaxone induces specific cells that are capable of counteracting the auto‑immune reactivity which is the major cause of the neurological damage in MS. She is also developing synthetic vaccines to provide immunity against infections with HIV or influenza viruses and shigella bacteria (the cause of dysentery); and other therapies to treat MS.

    Between 2010-2015, Prof. Arnon served as President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. She is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization and of the American Philosophical Society; a past President of the European Federation of Immunological Societies (1983-1986); and a past President of the Association of Academies of Sciences in Asia (2004-2006).

    Prof. Arnon’s awards and honors include the Robert Koch Prize in Medical Sciences (1979, Germany); the Jimenez Diaz Memorial Award (1986, Spain); the Legion of Honor (1994, France); the Hadassah World Organization's Women of Distinction Award (1997); the Wolf Prize (1998); the Rothschild Prize (1998); the Israel Prize (2001); an honorary doctorate from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (2007); the Aesku Prize for Life Contribution to Autoimmunity (2008); the “Yakir Tel-Hai” from the Tel-Hai Academic College (2008); honorary doctorates from Tel Aviv University (2011), the Open University in Israel (2014), and the Leuphana University in Germany (2014),  and the Dr. Tovi Comet-Walerstein C.A.I.R Institute Science Award of Bar-Ilan University (2015).  Prof. Arnon has received other honorary doctorates from several universities in Israel and Europe.

    Prof. Arnon and her husband, Uriel, have two children and six grandchildren.

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    Institute Professor Ruth Arnon

    Department of Immunology
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Ruth Arnon earned both her MSc (1955) and her PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1960) prior to joining the Weizmann Institute in 1960. She is the incumbent of the Paul Ehrlich Chair in Immunochemistry and has held a number of senior posts at the Institute, including Head of the Department of Chemical Immunology (1973-1974 and 1975-1978), Dean of Biology (1985-1988), and Vice President (1988-1997).

    Prof. Arnon has made significant contributions to the fields of vaccine development and cancer research, and to the study of parasitic diseases. She co-developed Copaxone®, a multiple sclerosis (MS) drug currently marketed worldwide. She continues to focus on the mechanism by which Copaxone exerts its beneficial effect. For example, Copaxone induces specific cells that are capable of counteracting the auto‑immune reactivity which is the major cause of the neurological damage in MS. She is also developing synthetic vaccines to provide immunity against infections with HIV or influenza viruses and shigella bacteria (the cause of dysentery); and other therapies to treat MS.

    Between 2010-2015, Prof. Arnon served as President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. She is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization and of the American Philosophical Society; a past President of the European Federation of Immunological Societies (1983-1986); and a past President of the Association of Academies of Sciences in Asia (2004-2006).

    Prof. Arnon’s awards and honors include the Robert Koch Prize in Medical Sciences (1979, Germany); the Jimenez Diaz Memorial Award (1986, Spain); the Legion of Honor (1994, France); the Hadassah World Organization's Women of Distinction Award (1997); the Wolf Prize (1998); the Rothschild Prize (1998); the Israel Prize (2001); an honorary doctorate from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (2007); the Aesku Prize for Life Contribution to Autoimmunity (2008); the “Yakir Tel-Hai” from the Tel-Hai Academic College (2008); honorary doctorates from Tel Aviv University (2011), the Open University in Israel (2014), and the Leuphana University in Germany (2014),  and the Dr. Tovi Comet-Walerstein C.A.I.R Institute Science Award of Bar-Ilan University (2015).  Prof. Arnon has received other honorary doctorates from several universities in Israel and Europe.

    Prof. Arnon and her husband, Uriel, have two children and six grandchildren.

  • Prof. Israel Bar-Joseph

    Vice President for Resource Development
    Dean, Educational Activities
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Israel Bar-Joseph was born in Israel in 1953. He graduated with a BSc in Physics from Tel Aviv University (1979), and an MSc (1982) and PhD (1986) in Physics from the Weizmann Institute of Science, with honors. He then spent several years as a postdoctoral fellow and visiting scientist at the AT&T Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, New Jersey. In 1989, he joined the Weizmann Institute of Science.

    Prof. Israel Bar-Joseph was born in Israel in 1953. He graduated with a BSc in Physics from Tel Aviv University (1979), and an MSc (1982) and PhD (1986) in Physics from the Weizmann Institute of Science, with honors. He then spent several years as a postdoctoral fellow and visiting scientist at the AT&T Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, New Jersey. In 1989, he joined the Weizmann Institute of Science. He is the incumbent of the Jane and Otto Morningstar Professorial Chair in Physics.

    Prof. Bar-Joseph served in a variety of scientific management positions at the Institute: Director of the Braun Center for Submicron Research, Head of Physics Services (1997-2002), Head of the Condensed Matter Physics Department (2002-2006); and is a member of the board of Yeda, the Weizmann Institute’s technology transfer arm (2001-2006). In 2004, he was appointed director of the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics. Since 2006, he has served as the Weizmann Institute’s Vice President for Resource Development, and since 2007 he has served as Dean of Educational Activities.

    Prof. Bar-Joseph’s main research fields are nanophysics and electro-optics of semiconductors. He focuses on the manufacture and study of ultra-small semiconductor structures, less than one thousandth of a millimeter in size. He uses gallium arsenide, the semiconductor that is gradually replacing silicon in high-speed electronic devices, and the tools of optical spectroscopy to clarify the behavior of electrons in modern transistors. He also studies molecular electronics, pursuing the manipulation of small organic molecules to build molecular electronic circuits. Using an innovative, “bottom-up” approach, he is employing a variety of methods to attach and position electrical contacts on a tiny molecular circuit. These studies provide the fundamental basis for the development of brand new technologies that will shape our life in the future.

    He is the recipient of the 1985 Kennedy Prize, the 1989 Alon Fellowship and the 1994 Levinson Prize in physics. He has served as a member of the editorial boards of leading journals such as Physical Review Letters and Semiconductor Science and Technology. He was a member and chairman of the board of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and a member of several government committees on science education.

    He is married to Revital and is the father of three boys: Asaf, Omer, and Amos.

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    Prof. Israel Bar-Joseph

    Vice President for Resource Development
    Dean, Educational Activities
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Israel Bar-Joseph was born in Israel in 1953. He graduated with a BSc in Physics from Tel Aviv University (1979), and an MSc (1982) and PhD (1986) in Physics from the Weizmann Institute of Science, with honors. He then spent several years as a postdoctoral fellow and visiting scientist at the AT&T Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, New Jersey. In 1989, he joined the Weizmann Institute of Science. He is the incumbent of the Jane and Otto Morningstar Professorial Chair in Physics.

    Prof. Bar-Joseph served in a variety of scientific management positions at the Institute: Director of the Braun Center for Submicron Research, Head of Physics Services (1997-2002), Head of the Condensed Matter Physics Department (2002-2006); and is a member of the board of Yeda, the Weizmann Institute’s technology transfer arm (2001-2006). In 2004, he was appointed director of the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Center for Nanophysics. Since 2006, he has served as the Weizmann Institute’s Vice President for Resource Development, and since 2007 he has served as Dean of Educational Activities.

    Prof. Bar-Joseph’s main research fields are nanophysics and electro-optics of semiconductors. He focuses on the manufacture and study of ultra-small semiconductor structures, less than one thousandth of a millimeter in size. He uses gallium arsenide, the semiconductor that is gradually replacing silicon in high-speed electronic devices, and the tools of optical spectroscopy to clarify the behavior of electrons in modern transistors. He also studies molecular electronics, pursuing the manipulation of small organic molecules to build molecular electronic circuits. Using an innovative, “bottom-up” approach, he is employing a variety of methods to attach and position electrical contacts on a tiny molecular circuit. These studies provide the fundamental basis for the development of brand new technologies that will shape our life in the future.

    He is the recipient of the 1985 Kennedy Prize, the 1989 Alon Fellowship and the 1994 Levinson Prize in physics. He has served as a member of the editorial boards of leading journals such as Physical Review Letters and Semiconductor Science and Technology. He was a member and chairman of the board of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and a member of several government committees on science education.

    He is married to Revital and is the father of three boys: Asaf, Omer, and Amos.

  • Abraham Ben-Naftali

    Chair, International Board
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    A much-respected member of Israel’s legal establishment, Abraham Ben-Naftali has combined a successful career in law with a commitment to public service.
    After completing his undergraduate studies in Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he completed an LL.M. degree summa cum laude at Tel Aviv University. During his military service in the Israel Defense Forces, he served as the military prosecutor and as the president of the military court.

    A much-respected member of Israel’s legal establishment, Abraham Ben-Naftali has combined a successful career in law with a commitment to public service.
    After completing his undergraduate studies in Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he completed an LL.M. degree summa cum laude at Tel Aviv University. During his military service in the Israel Defense Forces, he served as the military prosecutor and as the president of the military court.
    In 1963, Abraham established his own law firm, today called Ben-Naftali, Erez, Zahavi & Co. Specializing in the capital market, the firm is considered one of the leaders in its field, providing consultation and legal services to almost half of the country's mutual fund managers as well as to provident fund managers, stock exchange members, insurance companies, and others. An expert in company law, Abraham lectured on the subject at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Law from 1968 to 1986 and then at the Law School of the College of Management Academic Studies.
    Abraham Ben-Naftali brings his substantial business and legal experience to the various leadership positions he holds. He served as director on the Boards of several public companies and currently serves as a member of the board of the Bible Lands Museum and the Artur Rubinstein International Music Society.
    A loyal friend of the Weizmann Institute for many years, Abraham Ben-Naftali has served as a member of its Board of Governors since 1995 and a member of its Executive Council since 1996. From 2002-2008 he served as the Chair of the Executive Council and Executive Committee. His tenure was characterized by strong identification with the aspirations of the Weizmann Institute, unwavering support for its scientists, and devoted efforts to bring the Institute to the attention of potential supporters. Mr. Ben-Naftali also serves on the board of Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd., the Institute’s arm for technology transfer.
    Among Abraham Ben-Naftali’s avocations are travel and photography. He and his wife, Dina, have toured extensively in, among other countries, the Far East, South America, and most European countries, including Iceland and Russia. He has combined his two hobbies in artistic pictorial impressions of his journeys, and exhibits of his photos have been held at the Shalom Mayer Gallery at the Shalom Tower in Tel Aviv, at Beit Gavriel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and in Paris.
    The couple has two daughters: Professor Orna Ben-Naftali and Dr. Michal Ben-Naftali.

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    Abraham Ben-Naftali

    Chair, International Board
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    A much-respected member of Israel’s legal establishment, Abraham Ben-Naftali has combined a successful career in law with a commitment to public service.
    After completing his undergraduate studies in Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he completed an LL.M. degree summa cum laude at Tel Aviv University. During his military service in the Israel Defense Forces, he served as the military prosecutor and as the president of the military court.
    In 1963, Abraham established his own law firm, today called Ben-Naftali, Erez, Zahavi & Co. Specializing in the capital market, the firm is considered one of the leaders in its field, providing consultation and legal services to almost half of the country's mutual fund managers as well as to provident fund managers, stock exchange members, insurance companies, and others. An expert in company law, Abraham lectured on the subject at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Law from 1968 to 1986 and then at the Law School of the College of Management Academic Studies.
    Abraham Ben-Naftali brings his substantial business and legal experience to the various leadership positions he holds. He served as director on the Boards of several public companies and currently serves as a member of the board of the Bible Lands Museum and the Artur Rubinstein International Music Society.
    A loyal friend of the Weizmann Institute for many years, Abraham Ben-Naftali has served as a member of its Board of Governors since 1995 and a member of its Executive Council since 1996. From 2002-2008 he served as the Chair of the Executive Council and Executive Committee. His tenure was characterized by strong identification with the aspirations of the Weizmann Institute, unwavering support for its scientists, and devoted efforts to bring the Institute to the attention of potential supporters. Mr. Ben-Naftali also serves on the board of Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd., the Institute’s arm for technology transfer.
    Among Abraham Ben-Naftali’s avocations are travel and photography. He and his wife, Dina, have toured extensively in, among other countries, the Far East, South America, and most European countries, including Iceland and Russia. He has combined his two hobbies in artistic pictorial impressions of his journeys, and exhibits of his photos have been held at the Shalom Mayer Gallery at the Shalom Tower in Tel Aviv, at Beit Gavriel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and in Paris.
    The couple has two daughters: Professor Orna Ben-Naftali and Dr. Michal Ben-Naftali.

  • Dr. Shikma Bressler

    Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Dr. Shikma Bressler was born and raised in the Jezreel Valley (Emek Israel). She completed her BSc summa cum laude in physics and mathematics at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in 2003, followed by her MSc cum laude in physics in 2006, and PhD in 2011. In 2012, Dr. Bressler joined the Weizmann Institute of Science as a postdoctoral fellow and in 2013 was hired as a scientist to form a particle physics and detector development team. In .2015 she joined the faculty in the Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics

    Dr. Shikma Bressler was born and raised in the Jezreel Valley (Emek Israel). She completed her BSc summa cum laude in physics and mathematics at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in 2003, followed by her MSc cum laude in physics in 2006, and PhD in 2011. In 2012, Dr. Bressler joined the Weizmann Institute of Science as a postdoctoral fellow and in 2013 was hired as a scientist to form a particle physics and detector development team. In 2015 she joined the faculty in the Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics.

    As a high-energy experimental physicist, Dr. Bressler is an active member of the ATLAS collaboration at the large hadron collider at CERN that “discovered” evidence of the Higgs boson. Although this historic experimental effort confirmed the last missing piece of the “Standard Model” describing the world of elementary particles and physics, Dr. Bressler is interested in new areas of physics that go beyond the standard model. Her work in developing new technologies and experimental procedures for particle detectors aids scientific research in particle-physics and astrophysics, and has potential interest for non-scientific applications in homeland security, medicine, archeology and more.

    Dr. Bressler was honored with the Israel Physical Society (IPS) Ze'ev Fraenkel Prize in Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics in 2010. She was awarded a Gutwirth scholarship in 2008 and a Polak Scholarship at the Technion in 2007.

    Dr. Bressler lives in Moshav Beit Shearim in the Jezreel Valley and has two children.

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    Dr. Shikma Bressler

    Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Dr. Shikma Bressler was born and raised in the Jezreel Valley (Emek Israel). She completed her BSc summa cum laude in physics and mathematics at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in 2003, followed by her MSc cum laude in physics in 2006, and PhD in 2011. In 2012, Dr. Bressler joined the Weizmann Institute of Science as a postdoctoral fellow and in 2013 was hired as a scientist to form a particle physics and detector development team. In 2015 she joined the faculty in the Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics.

    As a high-energy experimental physicist, Dr. Bressler is an active member of the ATLAS collaboration at the large hadron collider at CERN that “discovered” evidence of the Higgs boson. Although this historic experimental effort confirmed the last missing piece of the “Standard Model” describing the world of elementary particles and physics, Dr. Bressler is interested in new areas of physics that go beyond the standard model. Her work in developing new technologies and experimental procedures for particle detectors aids scientific research in particle-physics and astrophysics, and has potential interest for non-scientific applications in homeland security, medicine, archeology and more.

    Dr. Bressler was honored with the Israel Physical Society (IPS) Ze'ev Fraenkel Prize in Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics in 2010. She was awarded a Gutwirth scholarship in 2008 and a Polak Scholarship at the Technion in 2007.

    Dr. Bressler lives in Moshav Beit Shearim in the Jezreel Valley and has two children.

  • Prof. Alon Chen

    Department of Neurobiology
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Israel in 1970, Prof. Alon Chen received a BSc in biological studies from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in 1995, and a PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science in the Department of Neurobiology, in 2001. Between 2001 and 2005, he served as a Research Associate in the Laboratories for Peptide Biology, at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California. In 2005, he joined the Weizmann Institute in the Department of Neurobiology. In 2013, he was nominated to head the Max Planck Society - Weizmann Institute of Science Laboratory for Experimental Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurogenetics.

    Description: C:\Users\heidi.WISMAIN\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Word\10302F080.jpgBorn in Israel in 1970, Prof. Alon Chen received a BSc in biological studies from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in 1995, and a PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science in the Department of Neurobiology, in 2001. Between 2001 and 2005, he served as a Research Associate in the Laboratories for Peptide Biology, at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California. In 2005, he joined the Weizmann Institute in the Department of Neurobiology. In 2013, he was nominated to head the Max Planck Society - Weizmann Institute of Science Laboratory for Experimental Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurogenetics.

    Prof. Chen’s research focuses on the neurobiology of stress, particularly the mechanisms by which the brain regulates the response to stressful challenges, and how this response is linked to psychiatric disorders. His lab studies the role of diverse genes, proteins and brain circuits that are associated with the stress response. Prof. Chen and his team use a combination of state-of-the-art methodologies, including molecular, cellular, behavioral and physiological tools, to “dissect” the contribution of specific genes or brain circuits to the initiation, maintenance, and termination of the stress response. His lab has made discoveries linking the action of specific genes with anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes, and even the preservation of memories. They use both mouse genetic models and human patients to ultimately create the scientific groundwork for therapeutic interventions to treat stress-related emotional disorders such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress, anorexia nervosa, and depression.

    His honors include a postdoctoral Rothschild Fellowship, and a postdoctoral Fulbright Fellowship (2001-2002). He received the ‘Alon Fellowship’; the most prestigious Israeli fellowship for returning scientists, granted by the Israeli Council for Higher Education, 2007-2009, and the Novartis Prize in Neuroendocrinology in 2009 and the Hans Lindner Prize in 2011, both from the Israel Endocrine Society; as well as the Sieratzki-Korczyn Prize for Advances in Neuroscience in 2010. In 2011, he was awarded the Morris L. Levinson Prize in Biology by the Scientific Council of the Weizmann Institute and the Teva Research Prize granted by the Israel Science Foundation.             
    Prof. Chen is married with two children and has a keen interest in science education for youth.

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    Prof. Alon Chen

    Department of Neurobiology
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Description: C:\Users\heidi.WISMAIN\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Word\10302F080.jpgBorn in Israel in 1970, Prof. Alon Chen received a BSc in biological studies from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in 1995, and a PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science in the Department of Neurobiology, in 2001. Between 2001 and 2005, he served as a Research Associate in the Laboratories for Peptide Biology, at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California. In 2005, he joined the Weizmann Institute in the Department of Neurobiology. In 2013, he was nominated to head the Max Planck Society - Weizmann Institute of Science Laboratory for Experimental Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurogenetics.

    Prof. Chen’s research focuses on the neurobiology of stress, particularly the mechanisms by which the brain regulates the response to stressful challenges, and how this response is linked to psychiatric disorders. His lab studies the role of diverse genes, proteins and brain circuits that are associated with the stress response. Prof. Chen and his team use a combination of state-of-the-art methodologies, including molecular, cellular, behavioral and physiological tools, to “dissect” the contribution of specific genes or brain circuits to the initiation, maintenance, and termination of the stress response. His lab has made discoveries linking the action of specific genes with anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes, and even the preservation of memories. They use both mouse genetic models and human patients to ultimately create the scientific groundwork for therapeutic interventions to treat stress-related emotional disorders such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress, anorexia nervosa, and depression.

    His honors include a postdoctoral Rothschild Fellowship, and a postdoctoral Fulbright Fellowship (2001-2002). He received the ‘Alon Fellowship’; the most prestigious Israeli fellowship for returning scientists, granted by the Israeli Council for Higher Education, 2007-2009, and the Novartis Prize in Neuroendocrinology in 2009 and the Hans Lindner Prize in 2011, both from the Israel Endocrine Society; as well as the Sieratzki-Korczyn Prize for Advances in Neuroscience in 2010. In 2011, he was awarded the Morris L. Levinson Prize in Biology by the Scientific Council of the Weizmann Institute and the Teva Research Prize granted by the Israel Science Foundation.             
    Prof. Chen is married with two children and has a keen interest in science education for youth.

  • Ido Dissentshik

    Chair, Executive Board
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Ido Joseph Dissentshik was born in Tel Aviv in 1940. He holds a BA in economics and statistics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1964), a masters’ degree, cum laude, in journalism from Columbia University, New York (1966), and an MBA from Tel Aviv University (1993).
    In 1965, he launched a prolific journalistic career at the Maariv daily newspaper. For 26 years, he served in numerous reporting, editorial, and management positions,

    Ido Joseph Dissentshik was born in Tel Aviv in 1940. He holds a BA in economics and statistics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1964), a masters’ degree, cum laude, in journalism from Columbia University, New York (1966), and an MBA from Tel Aviv University (1993).
    In 1965, he launched a prolific journalistic career at the Maariv daily newspaper. For 26 years, he served in numerous reporting, editorial, and management positions, including, between 1985 and 1991, editor-in-chief, a position his father held before him. He led an entire generation of journalists, some of who are among today’s star reporters, both in print and in the electronic media.
    He then went into business, and is active in banking (Bank Hapoalim) and insurance (the Phoenix Group), presently heading the investment committee of Clal Insurance. He was particularly involved in the field of telecommunications and media and led the largest company in Israel, Bezeq, from 2000 until 2002. He served on several boards of directors, was one of the founders of YES, and served on the board of Pelephone. He founded the private investment company Dison and co-founded Immedia, Mercado, and Analyst Online, the first business and economics portal in Israel (today, a segment of The Marker), and was its first content editor.
    In the early 1980s, he was invited to join the Weizmann Institute’s International Board, where his father was a leading member until his death in 1978. He has also served on the Institute’s Executive Board and on several committees. He helped establish the Davidson Institute of Science Education and serves as a member of the Davidson Nonprofit Association. He devotes many hours a month to the Weizmann Institute and its activities, and has helped recruit some of its senior Board members.
    Dissentshik is also active in a wide range of community endeavors in Israel and  abroad, including as a past member of the directorate of the Baron Edmond de Rothschild Caesarea Foundation and the Jabotinsky Institute, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Tel Hai Academic College. He is a founding member of the Israel Forum, a voluntary association whose goal is to strengthen ties between Israel and the Diaspora and to encourage immigrant integration.
    He is married to Batia (Barbara) and they have two adult sons.

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    Ido Dissentshik

    Chair, Executive Board
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Ido Joseph Dissentshik was born in Tel Aviv in 1940. He holds a BA in economics and statistics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1964), a masters’ degree, cum laude, in journalism from Columbia University, New York (1966), and an MBA from Tel Aviv University (1993).
    In 1965, he launched a prolific journalistic career at the Maariv daily newspaper. For 26 years, he served in numerous reporting, editorial, and management positions, including, between 1985 and 1991, editor-in-chief, a position his father held before him. He led an entire generation of journalists, some of who are among today’s star reporters, both in print and in the electronic media.
    He then went into business, and is active in banking (Bank Hapoalim) and insurance (the Phoenix Group), presently heading the investment committee of Clal Insurance. He was particularly involved in the field of telecommunications and media and led the largest company in Israel, Bezeq, from 2000 until 2002. He served on several boards of directors, was one of the founders of YES, and served on the board of Pelephone. He founded the private investment company Dison and co-founded Immedia, Mercado, and Analyst Online, the first business and economics portal in Israel (today, a segment of The Marker), and was its first content editor.
    In the early 1980s, he was invited to join the Weizmann Institute’s International Board, where his father was a leading member until his death in 1978. He has also served on the Institute’s Executive Board and on several committees. He helped establish the Davidson Institute of Science Education and serves as a member of the Davidson Nonprofit Association. He devotes many hours a month to the Weizmann Institute and its activities, and has helped recruit some of its senior Board members.
    Dissentshik is also active in a wide range of community endeavors in Israel and  abroad, including as a past member of the directorate of the Baron Edmond de Rothschild Caesarea Foundation and the Jabotinsky Institute, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Tel Hai Academic College. He is a founding member of the Israel Forum, a voluntary association whose goal is to strengthen ties between Israel and the Diaspora and to encourage immigrant integration.
    He is married to Batia (Barbara) and they have two adult sons.

  • Prof. Jonathan Dorfan

    Co-Chair, Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Jonathan Dorfan is the President and CEO of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. He was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physics and applied mathematics at the University of Cape Town in 1969 and his doctorate in experimental particle physics from the University of California-Irvine. Upon graduation in 1976, Dr. Dorfan joined the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) where he was promoted to associate professor in 1984, full professor in 1989 and Associate Director in 1994.

    Prof. Jonathan Dorfan is the President and CEO of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. He was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physics and applied mathematics at the University of Cape Town in 1969 and his doctorate in experimental particle physics from the University of California-Irvine. Upon graduation in 1976, Dr. Dorfan joined the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) where he was promoted to associate professor in 1984, full professor in 1989 and Associate Director in 1994. In September 1999, Professor Dorfan became SLAC's third Director. During which time he was Dean of the SLAC School and served as a member of the Stanford University Executive Cabinet. Prof. Dorfan stepped down from the directorship in September 2007 and remains on at SLAC as Professor and Emeritus Director. From 1980-89, Prof. Dorfan was the spokesman for the MARK-II detector collaboration at the SLAC's PEP colliding beam facility and then at SLAC's Z0 factory, the SLC. Prof. Dorfan led the team that designed and built the SLAC B-Factory, which commenced operations in 1998.

    Prof. Dorfan received a Doctor of Science, honoris causa, from the University of Cape Town in 2008 and from Technische Universitat Dresden in 2009. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Arts and Sciences and the American Physical Society. He currently serves on many advisory bodies, including the Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Board of Directors of the Large Synoptic Space Telescope Corporation (Vice-Chair), the Advisory Board of the John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science at Oxford University, the Scientific Advisory Board of the Max Planck Institute for Physics in Munich and the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society (Vice-Chair). His past community service includes the International Committee for Future Accelerators (Chair from 2003-2005).

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    Prof. Jonathan Dorfan

    Co-Chair, Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Jonathan Dorfan is the President and CEO of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. He was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physics and applied mathematics at the University of Cape Town in 1969 and his doctorate in experimental particle physics from the University of California-Irvine. Upon graduation in 1976, Dr. Dorfan joined the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) where he was promoted to associate professor in 1984, full professor in 1989 and Associate Director in 1994. In September 1999, Professor Dorfan became SLAC's third Director. During which time he was Dean of the SLAC School and served as a member of the Stanford University Executive Cabinet. Prof. Dorfan stepped down from the directorship in September 2007 and remains on at SLAC as Professor and Emeritus Director. From 1980-89, Prof. Dorfan was the spokesman for the MARK-II detector collaboration at the SLAC's PEP colliding beam facility and then at SLAC's Z0 factory, the SLC. Prof. Dorfan led the team that designed and built the SLAC B-Factory, which commenced operations in 1998.

    Prof. Dorfan received a Doctor of Science, honoris causa, from the University of Cape Town in 2008 and from Technische Universitat Dresden in 2009. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Arts and Sciences and the American Physical Society. He currently serves on many advisory bodies, including the Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Board of Directors of the Large Synoptic Space Telescope Corporation (Vice-Chair), the Advisory Board of the John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science at Oxford University, the Scientific Advisory Board of the Max Planck Institute for Physics in Munich and the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society (Vice-Chair). His past community service includes the International Committee for Future Accelerators (Chair from 2003-2005).

  • Bob Drake

    Vice Chair, Executive Board
    Chair, European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science

    Bob Drake is the Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Chairman of the European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

    He holds a BSc in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and later studied at the Programme International de Gestion General at INSEAD in Fontainbleau in 1980. From 1993 to 1995 studied for his MBA/MBI from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

    Bob Drake is the Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Chairman of the European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

    He holds a BSc in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and later studied at the Programme International de Gestion General at INSEAD in Fontainbleau in 1980. From 1993 to 1995 studied for his MBA/MBI from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

    Bob Drake is presently the Director of NGM International BV which is the General Merchandise Division of the Nidera Group. He is also the Director of Nidera Capital, the holding company of Nidera BV. Nidera is an international trading and shipping group created (amongst others) by his grandfather in 1920. Today the group trades worldwide.

    He speaks English, French, Dutch, German, Portuguese and Spanish. He is the past president and past mentor of Loge Hollandia of Bnai Brith in Holland. In 1990 he founded the Friends of the Israel Cancer Association in Holland, which he has chaired since its inception. He was a member of the Board of Keren Hayesod in Holland for more than 10 years and is presently a member of the Advisory Board of that institution. He is Chairman of the Dutch Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and Chairman of the Dutch Maccabi Organization. He was Chef de mission for the Dutch teams to Rome and Israel in 2007 and 2009 respectively.

    Bob Drake first visited the Weizmann Institute in 1985 but heard about it from his parents many years earlier. His mother, Erica Drake received a PhD honoris causa in the year 2000. Bob has since become a keen advocate for the Weizmann Institute. He is deeply involved in the Institute's governance, its science and its people. He faithfully attends Institute events, both in Israel and abroad, and takes every opportunity to promote the Institute's interests.

    He was elected to the International Board in 1999 and to the Executive Board in 2000. From 2002 to 2008 he served as Deputy Chair of the International Board and in 2008 he was elected Vice Chair of the Executive Board, a position he still holds today. He received an honorary PhD in the year 2008 and was elected Chairman of the European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science in 2013.

    Bob Drake enjoys tennis, skiing, scuba diving, squash, swimming and bridge - and has captained the Dutch bridge team to both the Israeli and European Maccabi games.

    He is married to Renée, and has 4 children.

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    Bob Drake

    Vice Chair, Executive Board
    Chair, European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science

    Bob Drake is the Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Chairman of the European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

    He holds a BSc in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and later studied at the Programme International de Gestion General at INSEAD in Fontainbleau in 1980. From 1993 to 1995 studied for his MBA/MBI from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

    Bob Drake is presently the Director of NGM International BV which is the General Merchandise Division of the Nidera Group. He is also the Director of Nidera Capital, the holding company of Nidera BV. Nidera is an international trading and shipping group created (amongst others) by his grandfather in 1920. Today the group trades worldwide.

    He speaks English, French, Dutch, German, Portuguese and Spanish. He is the past president and past mentor of Loge Hollandia of Bnai Brith in Holland. In 1990 he founded the Friends of the Israel Cancer Association in Holland, which he has chaired since its inception. He was a member of the Board of Keren Hayesod in Holland for more than 10 years and is presently a member of the Advisory Board of that institution. He is Chairman of the Dutch Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and Chairman of the Dutch Maccabi Organization. He was Chef de mission for the Dutch teams to Rome and Israel in 2007 and 2009 respectively.

    Bob Drake first visited the Weizmann Institute in 1985 but heard about it from his parents many years earlier. His mother, Erica Drake received a PhD honoris causa in the year 2000. Bob has since become a keen advocate for the Weizmann Institute. He is deeply involved in the Institute's governance, its science and its people. He faithfully attends Institute events, both in Israel and abroad, and takes every opportunity to promote the Institute's interests.

    He was elected to the International Board in 1999 and to the Executive Board in 2000. From 2002 to 2008 he served as Deputy Chair of the International Board and in 2008 he was elected Vice Chair of the Executive Board, a position he still holds today. He received an honorary PhD in the year 2008 and was elected Chairman of the European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science in 2013.

    Bob Drake enjoys tennis, skiing, scuba diving, squash, swimming and bridge - and has captained the Dutch bridge team to both the Israeli and European Maccabi games.

    He is married to Renée, and has 4 children.

  • Solo Dwek

    Italy

    Solo Dwek has combined a highly successful career in international finance with a lifetime of commitment to Israel and dedication to philanthropic causes.

    Solo Dwek was born in Beirut to an old established Sephardic family. He began his secondary school studies at the American College of Beirut, but as attitudes toward local Jews became increasingly politicized during Israel’s War of Independence, in 1948, the family left Lebanon.

    Solo Dwek has combined a highly successful career in international finance with a lifetime of commitment to Israel and dedication to philanthropic causes.

    Solo Dwek was born in Beirut to an old established Sephardic family. He began his secondary school studies at the American College of Beirut, but as attitudes toward local Jews became increasingly politicized during Israel’s War of Independence, in 1948, the family left Lebanon. They resettled in Lausanne, where he completed his high school education. After completing engineering studies in Mulhouse, France, Dwek moved to Japan to oversee the family interests (first established there in 1932), and remained there for close to two decades. He is married to Beirut-born Jeannette de Picciotto and the couple has two children, a son, Marco, and a daughter, Claudia, both born in Japan.

    In 1963, as more native Japanese entered the world of international trade, the Dwek Trading Company was sold to the Ricoh Group and the family relocated to Italy, where Dwek and his younger brother, Maurizio z”l, became international financiers involved in trade finance, corporate finance, and capital markets. In association with Italian banks, they founded the corporate finance company Fineurop Soditic – a Milan-based advisory firm that specializes in high value-added corporate financial services.

    In partnership with his brother, Solo Dwek has undertaken a wide variety of financial initiatives. These include export finance joint ventures with major international corporations and institutions, among them, Fiat, Finsider, IMI Bank, Banca Commercial Italiana (Banca Intesa San Paolo), and Erste Bank der Oesterreichischen Sparkassen.

    The brothers’ strong identification with the State of Israel and solidarity with its citizens is reflected in their support for many Israeli institutions, such as the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Israel Museum. For over twenty years, the Dwek family has been a generous supporter of the Weizmann Institute, giving concrete expression to their friendship through a series of significant initiatives, both in Rehovot and abroad.

    Solo Dwek has been an active supporter of the Institute’s activities in Europe, especially of the collaborative research program with the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research in Italy. In 1999, he and his brother funded the construction of the Dwek Campus Center and established a major fund for biomedical and, especially, fertility, research. In 2008, the family endowed the Solo Dwek and Maurizio Dwek Research School of Chemical Science and recently funded the Dwek Institute for Cancer Therapy Research of the Moross Integrated Cancer Center.

    Their munificent support is making an invaluable contribution to the education of scientific leaders of the future.

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    Solo Dwek

    Italy

    Solo Dwek has combined a highly successful career in international finance with a lifetime of commitment to Israel and dedication to philanthropic causes.

    Solo Dwek was born in Beirut to an old established Sephardic family. He began his secondary school studies at the American College of Beirut, but as attitudes toward local Jews became increasingly politicized during Israel’s War of Independence, in 1948, the family left Lebanon. They resettled in Lausanne, where he completed his high school education. After completing engineering studies in Mulhouse, France, Dwek moved to Japan to oversee the family interests (first established there in 1932), and remained there for close to two decades. He is married to Beirut-born Jeannette de Picciotto and the couple has two children, a son, Marco, and a daughter, Claudia, both born in Japan.

    In 1963, as more native Japanese entered the world of international trade, the Dwek Trading Company was sold to the Ricoh Group and the family relocated to Italy, where Dwek and his younger brother, Maurizio z”l, became international financiers involved in trade finance, corporate finance, and capital markets. In association with Italian banks, they founded the corporate finance company Fineurop Soditic – a Milan-based advisory firm that specializes in high value-added corporate financial services.

    In partnership with his brother, Solo Dwek has undertaken a wide variety of financial initiatives. These include export finance joint ventures with major international corporations and institutions, among them, Fiat, Finsider, IMI Bank, Banca Commercial Italiana (Banca Intesa San Paolo), and Erste Bank der Oesterreichischen Sparkassen.

    The brothers’ strong identification with the State of Israel and solidarity with its citizens is reflected in their support for many Israeli institutions, such as the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Israel Museum. For over twenty years, the Dwek family has been a generous supporter of the Weizmann Institute, giving concrete expression to their friendship through a series of significant initiatives, both in Rehovot and abroad.

    Solo Dwek has been an active supporter of the Institute’s activities in Europe, especially of the collaborative research program with the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research in Italy. In 1999, he and his brother funded the construction of the Dwek Campus Center and established a major fund for biomedical and, especially, fertility, research. In 2008, the family endowed the Solo Dwek and Maurizio Dwek Research School of Chemical Science and recently funded the Dwek Institute for Cancer Therapy Research of the Moross Integrated Cancer Center.

    Their munificent support is making an invaluable contribution to the education of scientific leaders of the future.

  • Mario Fleck

    President
    Associaçao de Amigos do Instituto Weizmann do Brasil

    Mario Fleck is Rio Bravo's CEO since January 2009, after working for four years as the managing partner heading of the Public Equities group. In that position, Mario helped launch Rio Bravo Fundamental, a value and activism fund.

    Mario Fleck is Rio Bravo's CEO since January 2009, after working for four years as the managing partner heading of the Public Equities group. In that position, Mario helped launch Rio Bravo Fundamental, a value and activism fund.

    Mario came to Rio Bravo after 28 years at Accenture, 14 of which as the Country Managing Partner for the Brazilian unit. He joined Accenture in 1975 and made partner in 1986.

    Mario is currently a consulting board member of Levorin and GR Group. He has also served on the boards of Eternit, Direct Talk, Nossa Caixa, Ferbasa, Cremer, Bematech and Unipar.

    Mario Fleck collaborates with several non-profit organizations, such as Parceiros da Educação, through which the private sector tries to improve the quality of public education. He has also served on the boards of the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra and The Committee for Democracy in Information Technology (CDI). Mario has presided over AME Campos, a community organization in the city of Campos do Jordão, and was president of the board of directors of the Fundação Getúlio Vargas's Business School.

    As an active member of the Jewish community, Mario is vice president of the Brazil-Israel Chamber of Commerce. He was also president of the Jewish Federation of the State of São Paulo from 2011 to 2015 where he was responsible for community security, political articulation and institutional relations as well as empowering and preserving the jewish roots. At AJC (American Jewish Committee), Mario is the Chair of the Belfer Institute for Latinos and Latin America.

    He is also a member of the Executive Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science, in Israel. He lends his leadership, expertise, and financial support to the Weizmann Institute and acts as an ambassador to promote the interest of the Institute throughout the globe.

    Mario Fleck has a bachelor's degree in mechanical and industrial engineering from the Catholic University in Rio de Janeiro.

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    Mario Fleck

    President
    Associaçao de Amigos do Instituto Weizmann do Brasil

    Mario Fleck is Rio Bravo's CEO since January 2009, after working for four years as the managing partner heading of the Public Equities group. In that position, Mario helped launch Rio Bravo Fundamental, a value and activism fund.

    Mario came to Rio Bravo after 28 years at Accenture, 14 of which as the Country Managing Partner for the Brazilian unit. He joined Accenture in 1975 and made partner in 1986.

    Mario is currently a consulting board member of Levorin and GR Group. He has also served on the boards of Eternit, Direct Talk, Nossa Caixa, Ferbasa, Cremer, Bematech and Unipar.

    Mario Fleck collaborates with several non-profit organizations, such as Parceiros da Educação, through which the private sector tries to improve the quality of public education. He has also served on the boards of the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra and The Committee for Democracy in Information Technology (CDI). Mario has presided over AME Campos, a community organization in the city of Campos do Jordão, and was president of the board of directors of the Fundação Getúlio Vargas's Business School.

    As an active member of the Jewish community, Mario is vice president of the Brazil-Israel Chamber of Commerce. He was also president of the Jewish Federation of the State of São Paulo from 2011 to 2015 where he was responsible for community security, political articulation and institutional relations as well as empowering and preserving the jewish roots. At AJC (American Jewish Committee), Mario is the Chair of the Belfer Institute for Latinos and Latin America.

    He is also a member of the Executive Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science, in Israel. He lends his leadership, expertise, and financial support to the Weizmann Institute and acts as an ambassador to promote the interest of the Institute throughout the globe.

    Mario Fleck has a bachelor's degree in mechanical and industrial engineering from the Catholic University in Rio de Janeiro.

  • Shulamit Geri

    Vice President for Administration and Finance
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Shulamit (Shuli) Geri is has been Vice President for Administration and Finance at the Weizmann Institute of Science since August 2012, responsible for Management, Finance, Human Resources, Construction, Procurement and Operations. She joined the Institute in 2003 as General Counsel and from that time until her recent appointment addressed all legal matters relating to the activities of the Weizmann Institute and its entities. 

    Shulamit (Shuli) Geri is has been Vice President for Administration and Finance at the Weizmann Institute of Science since August 2012, responsible for Management, Finance, Human Resources, Construction, Procurement and Operations. She joined the Institute in 2003 as General Counsel and from that time until her recent appointment addressed all legal matters relating to the activities of the Weizmann Institute and its entities. 
    Ms. Geri has been actively involved in the enactment of Knesset legislation protecting the interests of institutions of higher education. One of her key achievements is the passing of an amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance, including an exemption from taxation for student scholarships.
    Before joining the Institute, Ms. Geri held numerous legal positions in the private sector and was involved in major commercial transactions both in Israel and abroad, including the merger of Shekem to Hamashbir Lazarchan, the largest department store chains in Israel at the time. She was also instrumental in obtaining franchises for ZARA, Pull & Bear, Guess, and other international brands.  
    She served in the IDF's Air Force and Education units and holds an LLB from Tel Aviv University. She is married to Stephen Geri, a businessman, they have three daughters, Ariel, Noa and Yael. The family resides in Tel Aviv.

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    Shulamit Geri

    Vice President for Administration and Finance
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Shulamit (Shuli) Geri is has been Vice President for Administration and Finance at the Weizmann Institute of Science since August 2012, responsible for Management, Finance, Human Resources, Construction, Procurement and Operations. She joined the Institute in 2003 as General Counsel and from that time until her recent appointment addressed all legal matters relating to the activities of the Weizmann Institute and its entities. 
    Ms. Geri has been actively involved in the enactment of Knesset legislation protecting the interests of institutions of higher education. One of her key achievements is the passing of an amendment to the Income Tax Ordinance, including an exemption from taxation for student scholarships.
    Before joining the Institute, Ms. Geri held numerous legal positions in the private sector and was involved in major commercial transactions both in Israel and abroad, including the merger of Shekem to Hamashbir Lazarchan, the largest department store chains in Israel at the time. She was also instrumental in obtaining franchises for ZARA, Pull & Bear, Guess, and other international brands.  
    She served in the IDF's Air Force and Education units and holds an LLB from Tel Aviv University. She is married to Stephen Geri, a businessman, they have three daughters, Ariel, Noa and Yael. The family resides in Tel Aviv.

  • Prof. Herbert Jäckle

    Co-Chair, Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Dr. Herbert Jäckle is Director at the Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie (Göttingen, Germany) and former Vice-President of the Max Planck Society (2002-2014). He studied Chemistry and Biology (Universität Freiburg) and spent his postdoc at the University of Texas at Austin (USA). He held positions as staff scientist at the EMBL (Heidelberg), as research group leader (Max-Planck-Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie, Tübingen) and as professor for genetics (Ludwig Maximilian Universität, München).

    Dr. Herbert Jäckle is Director at the Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie (Göttingen, Germany) and former Vice-President of the Max Planck Society (2002-2014). He studied Chemistry and Biology (Universität Freiburg) and spent his postdoc at the University of Texas at Austin (USA). He held positions as staff scientist at the EMBL (Heidelberg), as research group leader (Max-Planck-Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie, Tübingen) and as professor for genetics (Ludwig Maximilian Universität, München).
    Dr. Jäckle is a member of EMBO, the Academia Europaea, and German Academies of Sciences (Leopoldina and Göttingen). He obtained several scientific awards (including the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the Otto Bayer Prize and the Louis Jeantet Prize for Medicine), and serves on Advisory Boards both in academia and industry.
    Using the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, Dr. Jäckle's research is focussed on molecular mechanisms (biochemical pathways and regulatory networks) involved in embryonic pattern formation (segmental body organization, formation of organs). More recent work (“molecular physiology”) aims to understanding the genetic and molecular basis of cellular and organismal energy homeostasis. Dr. Herbert Jäckle is author of >200 scientific articles.

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    Prof. Herbert Jäckle

    Co-Chair, Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Dr. Herbert Jäckle is Director at the Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie (Göttingen, Germany) and former Vice-President of the Max Planck Society (2002-2014). He studied Chemistry and Biology (Universität Freiburg) and spent his postdoc at the University of Texas at Austin (USA). He held positions as staff scientist at the EMBL (Heidelberg), as research group leader (Max-Planck-Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie, Tübingen) and as professor for genetics (Ludwig Maximilian Universität, München).
    Dr. Jäckle is a member of EMBO, the Academia Europaea, and German Academies of Sciences (Leopoldina and Göttingen). He obtained several scientific awards (including the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the Otto Bayer Prize and the Louis Jeantet Prize for Medicine), and serves on Advisory Boards both in academia and industry.
    Using the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, Dr. Jäckle's research is focussed on molecular mechanisms (biochemical pathways and regulatory networks) involved in embryonic pattern formation (segmental body organization, formation of organs). More recent work (“molecular physiology”) aims to understanding the genetic and molecular basis of cellular and organismal energy homeostasis. Dr. Herbert Jäckle is author of >200 scientific articles.

  • Prof. Zvi Livneh

    Dean, Faculty of Biochemistry
    Director, Swiss Society Institute for Cancer Prevention Research
    Weizmann Institute

    Prof. Zvi Livneh earned his BSc in chemistry from Tel Aviv University in 1971, and his PhD from the Weizmann Institute in 1980. He completed postdoctoral studies in the Department of Biochemistry at Stanford University’s School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. In 1984, he joined the staff of the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Biochemistry, which he headed from 1993 to 1997.  He headed the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Biological Chemistry, now the Department of Biomolecular Sciences, from 2002 to 2007 and has served as Dean of the Faculty of Biochemistry since 2010. He is the incumbent of the Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair in Biomedical Research.

    Prof. Zvi Livneh earned his BSc in chemistry from Tel Aviv University in 1971, and his PhD from the Weizmann Institute in 1980. He completed postdoctoral studies in the Department of Biochemistry at Stanford University’s School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. In 1984, he joined the staff of the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Biochemistry, which he headed from 1993 to 1997.  He headed the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Biological Chemistry, now the Department of Biomolecular Sciences, from 2002 to 2007 and has served as Dean of the Faculty of Biochemistry since 2010. He is the incumbent of the Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair in Biomedical Research.

    Prof. Livneh’s research focuses on the mechanisms by which our cells repair the DNA from the more than 50,000 daily “attacks” on genetic material in our bodies, caused by sunlight, tobacco smoke, metabolic byproducts, and other environmental agents. The DNA repair system, based on enzymes, is essential for protecting genes from incorporating disease-causing mutations, particularly cancerous ones. Indeed, mutations in the DNA repair system are implicated in many hereditary cancers. Prof. Livneh discovered an enzyme called error-prone DNA polymerase, the culprit in a rare type of skin cancer. He also discovered, together with Dr. Tamar Paz-Elizur, that in humans, a weak DNA repair score, determined by measuring the activity of a panel of three DNA repair enzymes called OGG1, MPG and APE1, is a strong risk factor for lung cancer. He and his colleagues are further developing this panel of DNA repair biomarkers to assist physicians in the risk assessment and early detection of lung cancer.

    Prof. Livneh is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Sergio Lombroso Award in Cancer Research (2013/2014), the Israel Sarov Memorial Prize, awarded by the Israel Society for Microbiology (2002), ), the Weizmann Institute’s Morris Levinson Prize (1995), and a Yigal Alon Scholarship (1986-1989).

    He likes reading, the performing arts, hiking, and delivering popular scientific lectures in an effort to narrow the gap between the frontiers of science and the public.

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    Prof. Zvi Livneh

    Dean, Faculty of Biochemistry
    Director, Swiss Society Institute for Cancer Prevention Research
    Weizmann Institute

    Prof. Zvi Livneh earned his BSc in chemistry from Tel Aviv University in 1971, and his PhD from the Weizmann Institute in 1980. He completed postdoctoral studies in the Department of Biochemistry at Stanford University’s School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. In 1984, he joined the staff of the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Biochemistry, which he headed from 1993 to 1997.  He headed the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Biological Chemistry, now the Department of Biomolecular Sciences, from 2002 to 2007 and has served as Dean of the Faculty of Biochemistry since 2010. He is the incumbent of the Maxwell Ellis Professorial Chair in Biomedical Research.

    Prof. Livneh’s research focuses on the mechanisms by which our cells repair the DNA from the more than 50,000 daily “attacks” on genetic material in our bodies, caused by sunlight, tobacco smoke, metabolic byproducts, and other environmental agents. The DNA repair system, based on enzymes, is essential for protecting genes from incorporating disease-causing mutations, particularly cancerous ones. Indeed, mutations in the DNA repair system are implicated in many hereditary cancers. Prof. Livneh discovered an enzyme called error-prone DNA polymerase, the culprit in a rare type of skin cancer. He also discovered, together with Dr. Tamar Paz-Elizur, that in humans, a weak DNA repair score, determined by measuring the activity of a panel of three DNA repair enzymes called OGG1, MPG and APE1, is a strong risk factor for lung cancer. He and his colleagues are further developing this panel of DNA repair biomarkers to assist physicians in the risk assessment and early detection of lung cancer.

    Prof. Livneh is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Sergio Lombroso Award in Cancer Research (2013/2014), the Israel Sarov Memorial Prize, awarded by the Israel Society for Microbiology (2002), ), the Weizmann Institute’s Morris Levinson Prize (1995), and a Yigal Alon Scholarship (1986-1989).

    He likes reading, the performing arts, hiking, and delivering popular scientific lectures in an effort to narrow the gap between the frontiers of science and the public.

  • Mandy Moross

    United Kingdom

    Mandy Moross was born in South Africa in 1931. He received a BSc from Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, and then completed an MBA degree (with distinction) at Harvard Business School, in 1953.

    Upon graduating from Harvard, Mr. Moross joined ICI in England. He later returned to South Africa and joined Anglo-Transvaal Consolidated Investments. In 1961, he joined the Shlesinger Organization in Johannesburg, where his business dealings gained momentum and acclaim. In 1971, Management Magazine voted him "Businessman of the Year".

    Mandy Moross was born in South Africa in 1931. He received a BSc from Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, and then completed an MBA degree (with distinction) at Harvard Business School, in 1953.

    Upon graduating from Harvard, Mr. Moross joined ICI in England. He later returned to South Africa and joined Anglo-Transvaal Consolidated Investments. In 1961, he joined the Shlesinger Organization in Johannesburg, where his business dealings gained momentum and acclaim. In 1971, Management Magazine voted him "Businessman of the Year".

    Mr. Moross served as Chairman and CEO of the Shlesinger international group until 1974, when it was sold to the Anglo-American Corporation of Johannesburg, South Africa. He then joined the Board of Rand Selection Trust, a controlling shareholder of the Anglo-American Corporation. Today he is based in London and New York, where his business interests center around the financial services industries, but include other diverse interests such as oil, gas and energy-related ventures, shipping and real estate.

    An ardent and involved philanthropist, Mr. Moross' connections to Israel are extensive. He supported the archeological excavations of the City of David and continues to have an interest in the Israel Tennis Center and the Israel Museum. He created the Hymie Moross Community Center for Children in Jerusalem.

    Since 1982, he has been a member of the Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science, which is very close to his heart. Here, in addition to providing resources to acquire valuable historical documents pertaining to Dr. Chaim Weizmann, as well as underwriting the complete refurbishment and preservation of Dr. Weizmann's laboratory, Mr. Moross has made generous contributions in the areas of robotics and computer vision, and cancer research.

    Mr. Moross was elected as Chair of the Institute's International Board (former Board of Governors) in November 2005 and served in this capacity until November 2014.

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    Mandy Moross

    United Kingdom

    Mandy Moross was born in South Africa in 1931. He received a BSc from Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, and then completed an MBA degree (with distinction) at Harvard Business School, in 1953.

    Upon graduating from Harvard, Mr. Moross joined ICI in England. He later returned to South Africa and joined Anglo-Transvaal Consolidated Investments. In 1961, he joined the Shlesinger Organization in Johannesburg, where his business dealings gained momentum and acclaim. In 1971, Management Magazine voted him "Businessman of the Year".

    Mr. Moross served as Chairman and CEO of the Shlesinger international group until 1974, when it was sold to the Anglo-American Corporation of Johannesburg, South Africa. He then joined the Board of Rand Selection Trust, a controlling shareholder of the Anglo-American Corporation. Today he is based in London and New York, where his business interests center around the financial services industries, but include other diverse interests such as oil, gas and energy-related ventures, shipping and real estate.

    An ardent and involved philanthropist, Mr. Moross' connections to Israel are extensive. He supported the archeological excavations of the City of David and continues to have an interest in the Israel Tennis Center and the Israel Museum. He created the Hymie Moross Community Center for Children in Jerusalem.

    Since 1982, he has been a member of the Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science, which is very close to his heart. Here, in addition to providing resources to acquire valuable historical documents pertaining to Dr. Chaim Weizmann, as well as underwriting the complete refurbishment and preservation of Dr. Weizmann's laboratory, Mr. Moross has made generous contributions in the areas of robotics and computer vision, and cancer research.

    Mr. Moross was elected as Chair of the Institute's International Board (former Board of Governors) in November 2005 and served in this capacity until November 2014.

  • Prof. Michal Neeman

    Vice President
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Rehovot, Prof. Michal Neeman received a BSc in chemistry and biology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and her MSc and PhD degrees in chemistry from the Weizmann Institute of Science.  She did her postdoctoral research in the Life Sciences Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory (New Mexico), where she conducted research utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance micro-imaging.  In 1991, she returned to the Weizmann Institute, where she joined the Department of Hormone Research (now the Department of Biological Regulation).

    Born in Rehovot, Prof. Michal Neeman received a BSc in chemistry and biology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and her MSc and PhD degrees in chemistry from the Weizmann Institute of Science.  She did her postdoctoral research in the Life Sciences Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory (New Mexico), where she conducted research utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance micro-imaging.  In 1991, she returned to the Weizmann Institute, where she joined the Department of Hormone Research (now the Department of Biological Regulation). From 2009 until the end of 2014 when she became Vice President of the Institute, Prof. Neeman served as the Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Director of the Clore Center for Biological Physics. She is currently the incumbent of the Helen and Morris Mauerberger Chair of Immunology.

    Prof. Neeman’s research focuses on the mechanisms that regulate angiogenesis, using magnetic resonance and optical imaging.  She is particularly interested in ovarian cancer and has demonstrated that the hormonal changes that accompany menopause indirectly promote the growth of dormant tumors and the spread of ovarian cancer by inducing the growth of blood vessels that nourish the tumors. She pioneered a method for tracking blood and lymphatic vessels to help scientists better understand how to suppress vessel growth and prolong tumor dormancy, thereby increasing survival in individuals with ovarian cancer.

    Prof. Neeman received the 1998 Morris L. Levinson Prize in Biology, the 1999 Lindner Prize of the Israel Endocrine Society, the Fellow Award from the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, and the Abisch-Frenkel Prize for Excellence in Life Sciences. She was elected to the Board of Trustees of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) in 2001 and as a Fellow of the European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology (ESMRMB) in 2013.

    She and her spouse, Amit, live in the village of Mazkeret Batya, where they raise their three sons, two dogs, and a family vineyard.

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    Prof. Michal Neeman

    Vice President
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Rehovot, Prof. Michal Neeman received a BSc in chemistry and biology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and her MSc and PhD degrees in chemistry from the Weizmann Institute of Science.  She did her postdoctoral research in the Life Sciences Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory (New Mexico), where she conducted research utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance micro-imaging.  In 1991, she returned to the Weizmann Institute, where she joined the Department of Hormone Research (now the Department of Biological Regulation). From 2009 until the end of 2014 when she became Vice President of the Institute, Prof. Neeman served as the Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Director of the Clore Center for Biological Physics. She is currently the incumbent of the Helen and Morris Mauerberger Chair of Immunology.

    Prof. Neeman’s research focuses on the mechanisms that regulate angiogenesis, using magnetic resonance and optical imaging.  She is particularly interested in ovarian cancer and has demonstrated that the hormonal changes that accompany menopause indirectly promote the growth of dormant tumors and the spread of ovarian cancer by inducing the growth of blood vessels that nourish the tumors. She pioneered a method for tracking blood and lymphatic vessels to help scientists better understand how to suppress vessel growth and prolong tumor dormancy, thereby increasing survival in individuals with ovarian cancer.

    Prof. Neeman received the 1998 Morris L. Levinson Prize in Biology, the 1999 Lindner Prize of the Israel Endocrine Society, the Fellow Award from the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, and the Abisch-Frenkel Prize for Excellence in Life Sciences. She was elected to the Board of Trustees of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) in 2001 and as a Fellow of the European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology (ESMRMB) in 2013.

    She and her spouse, Amit, live in the village of Mazkeret Batya, where they raise their three sons, two dogs, and a family vineyard.

  • Prof. Moshe Oren

    Department of Molecular Cell Biology
    Director, Moross Integrated Cancer Center
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Moshe Oren was born in Poland and immigrated to Israel as a child in 1950. He received his MSc degree in microbiology from Tel Aviv University in 1970, and his PhD in molecular virology from the Weizmann Institute of Science in 1978. He did postdoctoral work at Princeton University and at SUNY-Stony Brook. In 1981, he joined the Weizmann Institute where he holds the Andre Lwoff Professorial Chair in Molecular Biology.

    Prof. Moshe Oren was born in Poland and immigrated to Israel as a child in 1950. He received his MSc degree in microbiology from Tel Aviv University in 1970, and his PhD in molecular virology from the Weizmann Institute of Science in 1978. He did postdoctoral work at Princeton University and at SUNY-Stony Brook. In 1981, he joined the Weizmann Institute where he holds the Andre Lwoff Professorial Chair in Molecular Biology. Prof. Oren has held a number of senior positions at the Institute: he served as Director of the Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics, Chair of the Council of Professors and of the Senior Promotions Committee, and, from 1999 to 2003, was Dean of the Faculty of Biology. In 2015, he was appointed the first Director of the newly established Moross Integrated Cancer Center.

    Prof. Oren has spent much of his career studying a key player in molecular cancer control—the tumor suppressor gene called p53. In the early 1980s, he cloned p53, meaning that he determined the sequence of its genetic letters, which has provided the foundation for much of the subsequent p53 research worldwide. Prof. Oren also obtained some of the earliest evidence that p53 is indeed a tumor suppressor and was the first to prove that this gene causes apoptosis, the natural process that leads to cell death. These findings have enabled physicians to develop innovative therapeutic strategies, including the first clinically approved anti-cancer gene therapy. His work focuses on understanding the mechanisms that govern the activity of p53 in normal and in cancer cells, and he also investigates the involvement of micro-RNAs—tiny bits of encoded genetic material that regulate protein production—in cancer.

    His numerous awards include the Leukemia Society of America Scholarship (1985-1990), the Feher Award for Medical Research (1993), the Abisch-Frenkel Prize for Excellence in the Life Sciences (1999), the Sergio Lombroso Award in Cancer Research, the Lombroso Prize for Cancer Research (2002), the Harvey Lectureship of NY (2002), the EMET Prize in Biology (2003), a Merit Award of the National Cancer Institute (2003), and the Israel Prize in 2008 for biochemistry. He serves on the editorial boards of several leading scientific journals and is a member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Medicine, and a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the Academia Europeae.

    Prof. Oren and his wife Rachel, also a graduate of the Weizmann Institute, have four children and seven grandchildren. In the little time that is not devoted to science, Prof. Oren likes to listen to classical music and take nature hikes.

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    Prof. Moshe Oren

    Department of Molecular Cell Biology
    Director, Moross Integrated Cancer Center
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Moshe Oren was born in Poland and immigrated to Israel as a child in 1950. He received his MSc degree in microbiology from Tel Aviv University in 1970, and his PhD in molecular virology from the Weizmann Institute of Science in 1978. He did postdoctoral work at Princeton University and at SUNY-Stony Brook. In 1981, he joined the Weizmann Institute where he holds the Andre Lwoff Professorial Chair in Molecular Biology. Prof. Oren has held a number of senior positions at the Institute: he served as Director of the Leo and Julia Forchheimer Center for Molecular Genetics, Chair of the Council of Professors and of the Senior Promotions Committee, and, from 1999 to 2003, was Dean of the Faculty of Biology. In 2015, he was appointed the first Director of the newly established Moross Integrated Cancer Center.

    Prof. Oren has spent much of his career studying a key player in molecular cancer control—the tumor suppressor gene called p53. In the early 1980s, he cloned p53, meaning that he determined the sequence of its genetic letters, which has provided the foundation for much of the subsequent p53 research worldwide. Prof. Oren also obtained some of the earliest evidence that p53 is indeed a tumor suppressor and was the first to prove that this gene causes apoptosis, the natural process that leads to cell death. These findings have enabled physicians to develop innovative therapeutic strategies, including the first clinically approved anti-cancer gene therapy. His work focuses on understanding the mechanisms that govern the activity of p53 in normal and in cancer cells, and he also investigates the involvement of micro-RNAs—tiny bits of encoded genetic material that regulate protein production—in cancer.

    His numerous awards include the Leukemia Society of America Scholarship (1985-1990), the Feher Award for Medical Research (1993), the Abisch-Frenkel Prize for Excellence in the Life Sciences (1999), the Sergio Lombroso Award in Cancer Research, the Lombroso Prize for Cancer Research (2002), the Harvey Lectureship of NY (2002), the EMET Prize in Biology (2003), a Merit Award of the National Cancer Institute (2003), and the Israel Prize in 2008 for biochemistry. He serves on the editorial boards of several leading scientific journals and is a member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Medicine, and a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the Academia Europeae.

    Prof. Oren and his wife Rachel, also a graduate of the Weizmann Institute, have four children and seven grandchildren. In the little time that is not devoted to science, Prof. Oren likes to listen to classical music and take nature hikes.

  • Prof. Roee Ozeri

    Department of Physics of Complex Systems
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Roee Ozeri was born in Israel and earned a BSc in physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He received his MSc and PhD degrees in physics from the Weizmann Institute of Science. He conducted postdoctoral research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colorado and joined the Weizmann Institute faculty in 2007.

    Prof. Roee Ozeri was born in Israel and earned a BSc in physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He received his MSc and PhD degrees in physics from the Weizmann Institute of Science. He conducted postdoctoral research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colorado and joined the Weizmann Institute faculty in 2007.

    Prof. Ozeri conducts research in the field of ultra-cold atoms. One of his research efforts is quantum computing—the development of computing systems that make use of the principles of quantum mechanics. Such quantum systems have the potential to perform immense information-processing tasks that are out of reach of regular computers, and they can have a vastly greater capacity for storing information. If such systems are indeed built, they will revolutionize the world of computing, requiring, for example, an entirely new approach to ensuring the secrecy of information—for example, in online banking transactions. Prof. Ozeri focuses on one of the greatest challenges in developing quantum computers: finding appropriate units, or bits, for storing information. Another research direction is the understanding of interactions between atoms at very low temperatures such as how chemical reactions occur at a temperature close to absolute zero and whether new forms of matter can be created under these extreme conditions.

    Prof. Ozeri received the Levinson Physics prize in 2012 and the prestigious Rothschild Fund postdoctoral prize fellowship in 2003. His articles have been published in prestigious scientific and physics journals such as Nature, Science, and Physical Review Letters. Prof. Ozeri is the chair of the Weizmann Institute Early Childhood Education Center steering committee and is a member of the executive boards of the Davidson Institute of Science Education and the Schwarz-Reisman Centers for Science Education.

    He is married to Carmit and has three children, Omer, Tamar, and Netta. His hobbies include Sea-kayaking, running, cooking, reading, and swimming.

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    Prof. Roee Ozeri

    Department of Physics of Complex Systems
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Roee Ozeri was born in Israel and earned a BSc in physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He received his MSc and PhD degrees in physics from the Weizmann Institute of Science. He conducted postdoctoral research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colorado and joined the Weizmann Institute faculty in 2007.

    Prof. Ozeri conducts research in the field of ultra-cold atoms. One of his research efforts is quantum computing—the development of computing systems that make use of the principles of quantum mechanics. Such quantum systems have the potential to perform immense information-processing tasks that are out of reach of regular computers, and they can have a vastly greater capacity for storing information. If such systems are indeed built, they will revolutionize the world of computing, requiring, for example, an entirely new approach to ensuring the secrecy of information—for example, in online banking transactions. Prof. Ozeri focuses on one of the greatest challenges in developing quantum computers: finding appropriate units, or bits, for storing information. Another research direction is the understanding of interactions between atoms at very low temperatures such as how chemical reactions occur at a temperature close to absolute zero and whether new forms of matter can be created under these extreme conditions.

    Prof. Ozeri received the Levinson Physics prize in 2012 and the prestigious Rothschild Fund postdoctoral prize fellowship in 2003. His articles have been published in prestigious scientific and physics journals such as Nature, Science, and Physical Review Letters. Prof. Ozeri is the chair of the Weizmann Institute Early Childhood Education Center steering committee and is a member of the executive boards of the Davidson Institute of Science Education and the Schwarz-Reisman Centers for Science Education.

    He is married to Carmit and has three children, Omer, Tamar, and Netta. His hobbies include Sea-kayaking, running, cooking, reading, and swimming.

  • Tamir Pardo

    11th Mossad Director (2011-2016)

    Tamir Pardo, the 11th Mossad Director, was born in Tel Aviv in 1953. He served as Mossad Director in 2011–2016.

    Tamir Pardo holds a B.A. in political science from Tel Aviv University. In 1971, Pardo was drafted into the IDF and served as a communications officer in Sayeret Matkal (Special Forces unit). During ​​the Entebbe operation, he served as the personal communications officer of the operation's commander, Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu.

    Tamir Pardo, the 11th Mossad Director, was born in Tel Aviv in 1953. He served as Mossad Director in 2011–2016.

    Tamir Pardo holds a B.A. in political science from Tel Aviv University. In 1971, Pardo was drafted into the IDF and served as a communications officer in Sayeret Matkal (Special Forces unit). During ​​the Entebbe operation, he served as the personal communications officer of the operation's commander, Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu (deceased). Later, Pardo was part of the team that established the Shaldag Unit (air force special operations), and served as the unit's first communications officer. Pardo completed his IDF service in 1978 with the rank of captain.

    Tamir Pardo joined the Mossad in 1979, and served in an operational unit. He advanced through the ranks of operational divisions, until he was appointed head of the Special Ops. Division. In 2002, Pardo was appointed Deputy Mossad Director. He then established the organization's operations directorate and commanded it. In 2006, Pardo was seconded to the IDF and served as an advisor in the special operations division. During the 2006 Lebanon War, he was part of the team responsible for special operations in Lebanon. In summer 2007, Pardo returned to the Mossad as Deputy Mossad Director. He held this position until summer 2009.

    In November 2010, Tamir Pardo was appointed Mossad Director by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. He began his term on 06 January 2011. Pardo's term as Mossad Director was characterized by contending with regional upheavals; focusing mainly on Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas; and foiling terror activity. During his term, the Mossad's operational, technological, intelligence, and logistic capabilities were improved; intelligence and operational cooperation with foreign countries was expanded, including with countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel; and interfaces with Israel's other security bodies — ISA, IDF, etc. — were upgraded. 

    During these five years, the Mossad received five Israel Security Awards for daring and groundbreaking operations.

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    Tamir Pardo

    11th Mossad Director (2011-2016)

    Tamir Pardo, the 11th Mossad Director, was born in Tel Aviv in 1953. He served as Mossad Director in 2011–2016.

    Tamir Pardo holds a B.A. in political science from Tel Aviv University. In 1971, Pardo was drafted into the IDF and served as a communications officer in Sayeret Matkal (Special Forces unit). During ​​the Entebbe operation, he served as the personal communications officer of the operation's commander, Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu (deceased). Later, Pardo was part of the team that established the Shaldag Unit (air force special operations), and served as the unit's first communications officer. Pardo completed his IDF service in 1978 with the rank of captain.

    Tamir Pardo joined the Mossad in 1979, and served in an operational unit. He advanced through the ranks of operational divisions, until he was appointed head of the Special Ops. Division. In 2002, Pardo was appointed Deputy Mossad Director. He then established the organization's operations directorate and commanded it. In 2006, Pardo was seconded to the IDF and served as an advisor in the special operations division. During the 2006 Lebanon War, he was part of the team responsible for special operations in Lebanon. In summer 2007, Pardo returned to the Mossad as Deputy Mossad Director. He held this position until summer 2009.

    In November 2010, Tamir Pardo was appointed Mossad Director by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. He began his term on 06 January 2011. Pardo's term as Mossad Director was characterized by contending with regional upheavals; focusing mainly on Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas; and foiling terror activity. During his term, the Mossad's operational, technological, intelligence, and logistic capabilities were improved; intelligence and operational cooperation with foreign countries was expanded, including with countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel; and interfaces with Israel's other security bodies — ISA, IDF, etc. — were upgraded. 

    During these five years, the Mossad received five Israel Security Awards for daring and groundbreaking operations.

  • Prof. Yardena Samuels

    Department of Molecular Cell Biology
    Director, EKARD Institute for Cancer Diagnosis Research
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Yardena Samuels was born in Tel Hashomer, Israel. She received her BSc from Cambridge University, UK in 1993, and earned an MSc in immunology and cancer research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Medical School in 1997. She completed a PhD in Molecular Cancer Biology at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Imperial College, London in 2002.

    Prof. Yardena Samuels was born in Tel Hashomer, Israel. She received her BSc from Cambridge University, UK in 1993, and earned an MSc in immunology and cancer research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Medical School in 1997. She completed a PhD in Molecular Cancer Biology at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Imperial College, London in 2002. Prof. Samuels worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine from 2003 to 2006. She served as an assistant professor with the Cancer Genetics Branch of the (US) National Human Genome Research Institute and Head of their Molecular Cancer Genetics Section. Prof. Samuels joined the Department of Molecular Cell Biology at the Weizmann Institute in December, 2012. Today she is the director of the Ekard Institute for Cancer Diagnosis Research of the Moross Integrated Cancer Center and is the Knell Family Professor.

    Prof. Samuels uses the power of DNA sequencing to identify new groups of genetic mutations involved in the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma. One of her discoveries, a mutation found in nearly one-fifth of melanoma cases, was particularly encouraging because it is located in a gene already targeted by a drug approved for certain types of breast cancer, and preliminary clinical trials are underway. By the time a cancer is diagnosed, it has billions of cells carrying DNA abnormalities, some of which have a functional role as “drivers” in malignant proliferation, but many are “passengers” that have no function in tumorigenesis. In her postdoctoral work, she discovered that the gene encoding the protein PI3Kalpha is mutated in 32% of colorectal cancer patients as well as many other human cancers, making it one of the most highly mutated oncogenes. Prof. Samuels is developing strategies to separate the cancer-causing drivers from the passengers. She concentrates on several major signal transduction pathways searching for possible therapeutic targets. Her studies provide the kind of data required for truly personalized cancer therapy.

    Prof. Samuels was awarded a European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) postdoctoral fellowship as well as the European Research Council (ERC) award. She won an Alfred Blalock, Young Investigators' Day Award, at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2006 and was named one of Genome Technology’s top 25 Young Investigators in 2009. Prof. Samuels is a member on several Editorial Boards including the Journal of Investigative Dermatology and serves as a reviewer for a number of prestigious journals, including Science, Nature Genetics, Nature Methods, and Cancer Research.

    She is married to Dr. Ori Lev and has two boys: Gil and Nitsan.

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    Prof. Yardena Samuels

    Department of Molecular Cell Biology
    Director, EKARD Institute for Cancer Diagnosis Research
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Yardena Samuels was born in Tel Hashomer, Israel. She received her BSc from Cambridge University, UK in 1993, and earned an MSc in immunology and cancer research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Medical School in 1997. She completed a PhD in Molecular Cancer Biology at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Imperial College, London in 2002. Prof. Samuels worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine from 2003 to 2006. She served as an assistant professor with the Cancer Genetics Branch of the (US) National Human Genome Research Institute and Head of their Molecular Cancer Genetics Section. Prof. Samuels joined the Department of Molecular Cell Biology at the Weizmann Institute in December, 2012. Today she is the director of the Ekard Institute for Cancer Diagnosis Research of the Moross Integrated Cancer Center and is the Knell Family Professor.

    Prof. Samuels uses the power of DNA sequencing to identify new groups of genetic mutations involved in the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma. One of her discoveries, a mutation found in nearly one-fifth of melanoma cases, was particularly encouraging because it is located in a gene already targeted by a drug approved for certain types of breast cancer, and preliminary clinical trials are underway. By the time a cancer is diagnosed, it has billions of cells carrying DNA abnormalities, some of which have a functional role as “drivers” in malignant proliferation, but many are “passengers” that have no function in tumorigenesis. In her postdoctoral work, she discovered that the gene encoding the protein PI3Kalpha is mutated in 32% of colorectal cancer patients as well as many other human cancers, making it one of the most highly mutated oncogenes. Prof. Samuels is developing strategies to separate the cancer-causing drivers from the passengers. She concentrates on several major signal transduction pathways searching for possible therapeutic targets. Her studies provide the kind of data required for truly personalized cancer therapy.

    Prof. Samuels was awarded a European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) postdoctoral fellowship as well as the European Research Council (ERC) award. She won an Alfred Blalock, Young Investigators' Day Award, at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2006 and was named one of Genome Technology’s top 25 Young Investigators in 2009. Prof. Samuels is a member on several Editorial Boards including the Journal of Investigative Dermatology and serves as a reviewer for a number of prestigious journals, including Science, Nature Genetics, Nature Methods, and Cancer Research.

    She is married to Dr. Ori Lev and has two boys: Gil and Nitsan.

  • Prof. Avigdor Scherz

    Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Avigdor Scherz earned his BSc, MSc and PhD (attained in 1981) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in physics, chemistry, and biophysics, respectively. He did postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and at the University of Washington in Seattle. In 1983, he joined the Weizmann Institute, currently as a member of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. He served as Director of the National Avron-Even Ari Minerva Center for Research in Photosynthesis. Prof. Scherz holds the Yadelle and Robert N. Sklare Professorial Chair in Biochemistry.

    Description: schertz1Prof. Avigdor Scherz earned his BSc, MSc and PhD (attained in 1981) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in physics, chemistry, and biophysics, respectively. He did postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and at the University of Washington in Seattle. In 1983, he joined the Weizmann Institute, currently as a member of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. He served as Director of the National Avron-Even Ari Minerva Center for Research in Photosynthesis. Prof. Scherz holds the Yadelle and Robert N. Sklare Professorial Chair in Biochemistry.

    In collaboration with Prof. Yoram Salomon of the Institute’s Department of Biological Regulation, Prof. Scherz has designed a new approach to cancer therapy, termed Vascular Targeted Photodynamic Therapy (VTP), in which illumination of tumors after the infusion of novel compounds derived from chlorophylls, the molecules that drive photosynthesis, causes cell death and tumor collapse. This method has recently completed phase III clinical trials for treatment of localized prostate cancer with several hundred patients in both the treatment and control arms. High efficacy with minimal morbidity has been observed and final results are expected by January 2016. In collaboration with researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), he found that this therapy provided systemic antitumor immunity.  Four new clinical studies are currently under way to explore VTP’s efficacy in urinary, breast, esophageal and more advanced prostate cancers.  

    In the last 5 years the lab of Prof. Scherz has also been developing novel approaches for the treatment of keratoconus and degenerative myopia, which impair vision and may result in blindness. In the field of photosynthesis, Prof. Scherz’s group has recently resolved structural elements that enable different organisms to perform photosynthesis in extreme conditions; the group has developed a new thermo-tolerant species for increased biomass and hydrogen production.  

    Prof. Scherz is the recipient of the Somech  Zacks Prize in spectroscopy (1989), the 2011-2012 Sergio Lombroso Award in Cancer Research, the 2003-2004 CapCure awards (both together with Prof. Yoram Salomon), and a Susan Komen Award in 2008. Prof. Scherz is also the co-holder of 15 patents that provided the groundwork for technology transfer and establishment of new start-up companies.

    He is married to Dr. Zahava Scherz of the Institute’s Department of Science Teaching. The couple has two children and five grandchildren.

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    Prof. Avigdor Scherz

    Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Description: schertz1Prof. Avigdor Scherz earned his BSc, MSc and PhD (attained in 1981) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in physics, chemistry, and biophysics, respectively. He did postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and at the University of Washington in Seattle. In 1983, he joined the Weizmann Institute, currently as a member of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. He served as Director of the National Avron-Even Ari Minerva Center for Research in Photosynthesis. Prof. Scherz holds the Yadelle and Robert N. Sklare Professorial Chair in Biochemistry.

    In collaboration with Prof. Yoram Salomon of the Institute’s Department of Biological Regulation, Prof. Scherz has designed a new approach to cancer therapy, termed Vascular Targeted Photodynamic Therapy (VTP), in which illumination of tumors after the infusion of novel compounds derived from chlorophylls, the molecules that drive photosynthesis, causes cell death and tumor collapse. This method has recently completed phase III clinical trials for treatment of localized prostate cancer with several hundred patients in both the treatment and control arms. High efficacy with minimal morbidity has been observed and final results are expected by January 2016. In collaboration with researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), he found that this therapy provided systemic antitumor immunity.  Four new clinical studies are currently under way to explore VTP’s efficacy in urinary, breast, esophageal and more advanced prostate cancers.  

    In the last 5 years the lab of Prof. Scherz has also been developing novel approaches for the treatment of keratoconus and degenerative myopia, which impair vision and may result in blindness. In the field of photosynthesis, Prof. Scherz’s group has recently resolved structural elements that enable different organisms to perform photosynthesis in extreme conditions; the group has developed a new thermo-tolerant species for increased biomass and hydrogen production.  

    Prof. Scherz is the recipient of the Somech  Zacks Prize in spectroscopy (1989), the 2011-2012 Sergio Lombroso Award in Cancer Research, the 2003-2004 CapCure awards (both together with Prof. Yoram Salomon), and a Susan Komen Award in 2008. Prof. Scherz is also the co-holder of 15 patents that provided the groundwork for technology transfer and establishment of new start-up companies.

    He is married to Dr. Zahava Scherz of the Institute’s Department of Science Teaching. The couple has two children and five grandchildren.

  • Prof. Maya Schuldiner

    Department of Molecular Genetics
    Senior Advisor to the President for Scientific Education
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Maya Schuldiner was born in Israel. She completed two years of military service in 1996, and graduated magna cum laude with a BSc in Biology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1998. She went on to complete both her MSc and a PhD in genetics, also at the Hebrew University, in 1999 and 2003. She conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California in San Francisco from 2003 until 2008, when she joined the faculty of the Weizmann Institute of Science. She is the incumbent of the Dr. Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Professorial Chair in Molecular Genetics.

    Description: C:\Users\heidi.WISMAIN\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Word\11110F14.jpgProf. Maya Schuldiner was born in Israel. She completed two years of military service in 1996, and graduated magna cum laude with a BSc in Biology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1998. She went on to complete both her MSc and a PhD in genetics, also at the Hebrew University, in 1999 and 2003. She conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California in San Francisco from 2003 until 2008, when she joined the faculty of the Weizmann Institute of Science. She is the incumbent of the Dr. Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Professorial Chair in Molecular Genetics.

    Just as cryptologists like deciphering ancient codes and symbols, molecular geneticists like Prof. Schuldiner, focus on unraveling the biochemical and metabolic pathways that regulate cell function. She has invented tools to help them, called eMAPs — databases of selected groups of genes that show their functional relationships in an easily readable format. She used high-throughput cell sorting, biomarkers, and high-resolution microscopy to get real-time images that show the exact location and levels of proteins in a yeast cell. Her method can track changes in a protein over time, such as in response to stress or disease. She uses these creative methods to study the cell’s largest organelle, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Disruptions in ER functioning have been shown to contribute to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes,  and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

    In 2014, Prof. Schuldiner was selected for the 40 under 40 list by Cell, recognizing young scientists shaping future trends in science. She also received the Weizmann Institute Scientific Council Prize in the Life Sciences (2014), a Human Frontiers Science Program Career Development Award (2008), and an NIH Pathway to Independence Award (2007). She has been elected a member of the Israel Young Academy (2014) and the EMBO Young Investigators Program (2011).

    She is married to Dr. Oren Schuldiner, also a scientist at the Weizmann Institute, and they have three sons, Daniel (2002), Noam (2005), and Mattan (2012). When not in the lab she loves to bake, read, play the piano, scuba dive, and go hiking with her family (especially in the desert).

    Read More »

    Prof. Maya Schuldiner

    Department of Molecular Genetics
    Senior Advisor to the President for Scientific Education
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Description: C:\Users\heidi.WISMAIN\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Word\11110F14.jpgProf. Maya Schuldiner was born in Israel. She completed two years of military service in 1996, and graduated magna cum laude with a BSc in Biology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1998. She went on to complete both her MSc and a PhD in genetics, also at the Hebrew University, in 1999 and 2003. She conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California in San Francisco from 2003 until 2008, when she joined the faculty of the Weizmann Institute of Science. She is the incumbent of the Dr. Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Professorial Chair in Molecular Genetics.

    Just as cryptologists like deciphering ancient codes and symbols, molecular geneticists like Prof. Schuldiner, focus on unraveling the biochemical and metabolic pathways that regulate cell function. She has invented tools to help them, called eMAPs — databases of selected groups of genes that show their functional relationships in an easily readable format. She used high-throughput cell sorting, biomarkers, and high-resolution microscopy to get real-time images that show the exact location and levels of proteins in a yeast cell. Her method can track changes in a protein over time, such as in response to stress or disease. She uses these creative methods to study the cell’s largest organelle, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Disruptions in ER functioning have been shown to contribute to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes,  and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

    In 2014, Prof. Schuldiner was selected for the 40 under 40 list by Cell, recognizing young scientists shaping future trends in science. She also received the Weizmann Institute Scientific Council Prize in the Life Sciences (2014), a Human Frontiers Science Program Career Development Award (2008), and an NIH Pathway to Independence Award (2007). She has been elected a member of the Israel Young Academy (2014) and the EMBO Young Investigators Program (2011).

    She is married to Dr. Oren Schuldiner, also a scientist at the Weizmann Institute, and they have three sons, Daniel (2002), Noam (2005), and Mattan (2012). When not in the lab she loves to bake, read, play the piano, scuba dive, and go hiking with her family (especially in the desert).

  • Prof. Michal Sharon

    Department of Biomolecular Sciences
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Michal Sharon earned a BSc at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1996) and a PhD in the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Structural Biology in 2003. She conducted her postdoctoral research at University of Cambridge, UK, where, in 2006, she was elected as a Research Fellow at Clare Hall College. She joined the Department of Biological Chemistry, now the Department of Biomolecular Sciences, at the Weizmann Institute in 2007 where she is the first incumbent of the Aharon and Ephraim Katzir Memorial Professorial Chair.

    Prof. Michal Sharon earned a BSc at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1996) and a PhD in the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Structural Biology in 2003. She conducted her postdoctoral research at University of Cambridge, UK, where, in 2006, she was elected as a Research Fellow at Clare Hall College. She joined the Department of Biological Chemistry, now the Department of Biomolecular Sciences, at the Weizmann Institute in 2007 where she is the first incumbent of the Aharon and Ephraim Katzir Memorial Professorial Chair.

    Prof. Sharon studies the cellular machinery that recycles proteins. Efficient cell functioning relies on continuous and controlled degradation of a large number of unwanted or damaged proteins. This process is carried out by the proteasome system, macromolecular machinery that hand-picks proteins that have finished their task or those whose levels are too high, and shreds them into their building blocks for reutilization.  Thus, the proteasome complex can be seen as the cellular "recycling machinery". Cancer, for example, can result if proteins that promote growth evade this recycling system and become "too stable", thus promoting cell division. To understanding the functioning of this system Prof. Sharon uses novel techniques in mass spectrometry to examine the structural properties of the proteasome system.

    Prof. Sharon twice received the European Research Council Starting Grant and an Israel Cancer Research Fund Research Career Development Award. She is the head of the Israel Mass Spectrometry Society and a board member of the International Mass Spectrometry Society.

    She has a son and two daughters and in her free time likes to read, travel, and draw.

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    Prof. Michal Sharon

    Department of Biomolecular Sciences
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Prof. Michal Sharon earned a BSc at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1996) and a PhD in the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Structural Biology in 2003. She conducted her postdoctoral research at University of Cambridge, UK, where, in 2006, she was elected as a Research Fellow at Clare Hall College. She joined the Department of Biological Chemistry, now the Department of Biomolecular Sciences, at the Weizmann Institute in 2007 where she is the first incumbent of the Aharon and Ephraim Katzir Memorial Professorial Chair.

    Prof. Sharon studies the cellular machinery that recycles proteins. Efficient cell functioning relies on continuous and controlled degradation of a large number of unwanted or damaged proteins. This process is carried out by the proteasome system, macromolecular machinery that hand-picks proteins that have finished their task or those whose levels are too high, and shreds them into their building blocks for reutilization.  Thus, the proteasome complex can be seen as the cellular "recycling machinery". Cancer, for example, can result if proteins that promote growth evade this recycling system and become "too stable", thus promoting cell division. To understanding the functioning of this system Prof. Sharon uses novel techniques in mass spectrometry to examine the structural properties of the proteasome system.

    Prof. Sharon twice received the European Research Council Starting Grant and an Israel Cancer Research Fund Research Career Development Award. She is the head of the Israel Mass Spectrometry Society and a board member of the International Mass Spectrometry Society.

    She has a son and two daughters and in her free time likes to read, travel, and draw.

  • Shabtai Shavit

    Chairman of the Advisory Board
    HESEG Foundation

    Shabtai Shavit is Chair of HESEG advisory board. He is a director in the Merhav Group of Companies, and VP of EMG Israel, Chairman of “Athena GS3” Security Implementations Ltd, advisor to the Knesset Subcommittee for Intelligence and former director of the Israeli Mossad.

    Shabtai Shavit is Chair of HESEG advisory board. He is a director in the Merhav Group of Companies, and VP of EMG Israel, Chairman of “Athena GS3” Security Implementations Ltd, advisor to the Knesset Subcommittee for Intelligence and former director of the Israeli Mossad.

    HESEG Foundation provides full academic scholarships and living expenses to lone soldiers, who have come to Israel to volunteer in the IDF and minority groups such as Ethiopian and Druse students. HESEG (which means “achievement” in Hebrew), was established by Gerry Schwartz and Heather Reisman of Canada as a way to recognize successful applicants by providing them with an opportunity to start a life in Israel through education and career development.

    Shabtai Shavit was the seventh director of the Mossad, and served from 1989-1996. He was born in pre-State Israel in 1939, and grew up in Nesher. His father was a school principal and his mother taught nursery school. He is married with three children.

    Mr. Shavit is a graduate of Hebrew Reali School. In the army, he served in the IDF's Sayeret Matkal (Special Forces unit) immediately following its establishment. He earned a BA in Middle East studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and an MA in public administration from Harvard.

    Shavit joined the Mossad in 1964. He served in operational and senior command positions in Israel and abroad. He also served as second-in-command to Mossad Director Nahum Admoni from 1986 to 1989. He was appointed Director of the Mossad in 1989. He was the second director, following Admoni, to have grown within the Mossad, and was the last director whose name was classified during his term.

    Shabtai Shavit adapted the structure and deployment of the Mossad, as well as its combat doctrine, to fit the significant historic events and changes that occurred in the world in the course of his term. These events included the breakup of the Soviet Union and the East European bloc; the end of the Cold War; the opening of China; the increased influence of the eastern Asian countries on the global economy; and the strengthening of the trend towards globalization. In the Middle East, Iran joined the race for nuclear development, as did Saddam Hussein's Iraq; Iraq invaded Kuwait, which resulted in the forming of an international coalition of countries  led by the U.S.; and the first Gulf War took place.

    During Shavit's term, the peace agreement between Israel and Jordan was signed in 1994. The Mossad was involved in the negotiations to reach the agreement, which was eventually achieved after many years of covert ties between Israel and Jordan.

    Upon his taking up the position, the issue of the Mossad's organizational culture, which focused on values and manpower dilemmas, was examined extensively. As a result, the Mossad's credo was drafted, and its values and culture were defined.

    After completing his Mossad service, Shavit was appointed general manager of Maccabi Health Care Services, and then turned to business. He also served for many years as an advisor to the Subcommittee for Secret Services of the Knesset‘s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

    Read More »

    Shabtai Shavit

    Chairman of the Advisory Board
    HESEG Foundation

    Shabtai Shavit is Chair of HESEG advisory board. He is a director in the Merhav Group of Companies, and VP of EMG Israel, Chairman of “Athena GS3” Security Implementations Ltd, advisor to the Knesset Subcommittee for Intelligence and former director of the Israeli Mossad.

    HESEG Foundation provides full academic scholarships and living expenses to lone soldiers, who have come to Israel to volunteer in the IDF and minority groups such as Ethiopian and Druse students. HESEG (which means “achievement” in Hebrew), was established by Gerry Schwartz and Heather Reisman of Canada as a way to recognize successful applicants by providing them with an opportunity to start a life in Israel through education and career development.

    Shabtai Shavit was the seventh director of the Mossad, and served from 1989-1996. He was born in pre-State Israel in 1939, and grew up in Nesher. His father was a school principal and his mother taught nursery school. He is married with three children.

    Mr. Shavit is a graduate of Hebrew Reali School. In the army, he served in the IDF's Sayeret Matkal (Special Forces unit) immediately following its establishment. He earned a BA in Middle East studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and an MA in public administration from Harvard.

    Shavit joined the Mossad in 1964. He served in operational and senior command positions in Israel and abroad. He also served as second-in-command to Mossad Director Nahum Admoni from 1986 to 1989. He was appointed Director of the Mossad in 1989. He was the second director, following Admoni, to have grown within the Mossad, and was the last director whose name was classified during his term.

    Shabtai Shavit adapted the structure and deployment of the Mossad, as well as its combat doctrine, to fit the significant historic events and changes that occurred in the world in the course of his term. These events included the breakup of the Soviet Union and the East European bloc; the end of the Cold War; the opening of China; the increased influence of the eastern Asian countries on the global economy; and the strengthening of the trend towards globalization. In the Middle East, Iran joined the race for nuclear development, as did Saddam Hussein's Iraq; Iraq invaded Kuwait, which resulted in the forming of an international coalition of countries  led by the U.S.; and the first Gulf War took place.

    During Shavit's term, the peace agreement between Israel and Jordan was signed in 1994. The Mossad was involved in the negotiations to reach the agreement, which was eventually achieved after many years of covert ties between Israel and Jordan.

    Upon his taking up the position, the issue of the Mossad's organizational culture, which focused on values and manpower dilemmas, was examined extensively. As a result, the Mossad's credo was drafted, and its values and culture were defined.

    After completing his Mossad service, Shavit was appointed general manager of Maccabi Health Care Services, and then turned to business. He also served for many years as an advisor to the Subcommittee for Secret Services of the Knesset‘s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

  • Eric Stupp

    President
    Swiss Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science

    Eric Stupp’s main areas of focus are capital markets, bank regulations, and mergers & acquisitions in the finance sector. He heads the practice group Financial Services of Bär & Karrer and advises on a regular basis numerous banks, insurances and other financial institutions in Switzerland and abroad. Furthermore, he advises clients in real estate transactions.

    Eric Stupp’s main areas of focus are capital markets, bank regulations, and mergers & acquisitions in the finance sector. He heads the practice group Financial Services of Bär & Karrer and advises on a regular basis numerous banks, insurances and other financial institutions in Switzerland and abroad. Furthermore, he advises clients in real estate transactions.

    Eric Stupp is the vice-chairman of the board of directors of Goldman Sachs Bank AG, Zurich and a member of the boards of other financial institutions and industrial companies.

    Chambers Europe 2009 points out that Eric Stupp is widely recognized for his regulatory and general banking work: "He has an unbelievably keen perception of business issues and takes legal analysis one step further". The Legal 500 (2009) mentions that "Eric Stupp is applauded by clients for his knowledge and practical abilities". Chambers Global 2010 states: "Eric Stupp is highly rated by sources for the breadth of his knowledge, experience and client base." Observers describe the team as "the number-one port of call" nationwide for capital markets affairs.

    In addition, Eric Stupp is listed as a leading lawyer in the Guide to the World's Leading Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyers (2009).

    Read More »

    Eric Stupp

    President
    Swiss Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science

    Eric Stupp’s main areas of focus are capital markets, bank regulations, and mergers & acquisitions in the finance sector. He heads the practice group Financial Services of Bär & Karrer and advises on a regular basis numerous banks, insurances and other financial institutions in Switzerland and abroad. Furthermore, he advises clients in real estate transactions.

    Eric Stupp is the vice-chairman of the board of directors of Goldman Sachs Bank AG, Zurich and a member of the boards of other financial institutions and industrial companies.

    Chambers Europe 2009 points out that Eric Stupp is widely recognized for his regulatory and general banking work: "He has an unbelievably keen perception of business issues and takes legal analysis one step further". The Legal 500 (2009) mentions that "Eric Stupp is applauded by clients for his knowledge and practical abilities". Chambers Global 2010 states: "Eric Stupp is highly rated by sources for the breadth of his knowledge, experience and client base." Observers describe the team as "the number-one port of call" nationwide for capital markets affairs.

    In addition, Eric Stupp is listed as a leading lawyer in the Guide to the World's Leading Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyers (2009).

  • Prof. Assaf Vardi

    Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Haifa, Israel, Prof. Assaf Vardi earned a BSc in biology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1994), from which he also received his MSc in environmental sciences (1999) and PhD in molecular ecology (2004). After conducting postdoctoral research at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris and at Rutgers University, he joined the Weizmann Institute faculty in 2010 where he is the incumbent of the Edith and Nathan Goldenberg Career Development Chair.

    Born in Haifa, Israel, Prof. Assaf Vardi earned a BSc in biology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1994), from which he also received his MSc in environmental sciences (1999) and PhD in molecular ecology (2004). After conducting postdoctoral research at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris and at Rutgers University, he joined the Weizmann Institute faculty in 2010 where he is the incumbent of the Edith and Nathan Goldenberg Career Development Chair. He was also appointed an Adjunct Scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (USA).

     

    Prof. Vardi elucidates the molecular mechanisms that drive microbial interactions in the marine environment. He investigates microscopic single-celled algae called phytoplankton, which inhabit oceans and lakes around the world, forming the basis of the marine food web. He focuses on communication signals among phytoplankton cells and is particularly interested in the signaling occurring during algal blooms, which can extend over thousands of kilometers and be detected from satellites. In some cases, these blooms can be toxic, posing a serious threat to humans, livestock, and the marine food web. He has also found intriguing evidence that the interaction between algae and their pathogens stimulates the production of  compounds that induce algal cell suicide (apoptosis) or possess antiviral properties. Such insights may have potential biotechnological applications such as anti-cancer drug development or induced lipid production for biofuel purposes.  

     

    He has received a number of esteemed fellowships and awards, including two Rieger Foundation Awards for Excellence in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, the Marie Curie Fellowship, a "Legacy Heritage Brain Drain" Fund award from the Israeli Science Foundation, and the prestigious ERC young investigator grant from the European Union and the Human Frontiers Award.

     

    Prof. Vardi is married to the artist Nivi Alroy, who reinterprets scientific concepts from his research in her sculptures. He is father to Michael, a young marine biologist in his own right.

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    Prof. Assaf Vardi

    Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Haifa, Israel, Prof. Assaf Vardi earned a BSc in biology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1994), from which he also received his MSc in environmental sciences (1999) and PhD in molecular ecology (2004). After conducting postdoctoral research at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris and at Rutgers University, he joined the Weizmann Institute faculty in 2010 where he is the incumbent of the Edith and Nathan Goldenberg Career Development Chair. He was also appointed an Adjunct Scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (USA).

     

    Prof. Vardi elucidates the molecular mechanisms that drive microbial interactions in the marine environment. He investigates microscopic single-celled algae called phytoplankton, which inhabit oceans and lakes around the world, forming the basis of the marine food web. He focuses on communication signals among phytoplankton cells and is particularly interested in the signaling occurring during algal blooms, which can extend over thousands of kilometers and be detected from satellites. In some cases, these blooms can be toxic, posing a serious threat to humans, livestock, and the marine food web. He has also found intriguing evidence that the interaction between algae and their pathogens stimulates the production of  compounds that induce algal cell suicide (apoptosis) or possess antiviral properties. Such insights may have potential biotechnological applications such as anti-cancer drug development or induced lipid production for biofuel purposes.  

     

    He has received a number of esteemed fellowships and awards, including two Rieger Foundation Awards for Excellence in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, the Marie Curie Fellowship, a "Legacy Heritage Brain Drain" Fund award from the Israeli Science Foundation, and the prestigious ERC young investigator grant from the European Union and the Human Frontiers Award.

     

    Prof. Vardi is married to the artist Nivi Alroy, who reinterprets scientific concepts from his research in her sculptures. He is father to Michael, a young marine biologist in his own right.

  • Prof. Yosef Yarden

    Department of Biological Regulation
    Director, Dwek Institute for Cancer Therapy Research
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Israel, Prof. Yosef Yarden received his BSc in biological and geological sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1980), and a PhD in molecular biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science (1985). His postdoctoral training was undertaken at Genentech, Inc., in San Francisco and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1988, he joined the Weizmann Institute of Science’s faculty.

    Born in Israel, Prof. Yosef Yarden received his BSc in biological and geological sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1980), and a PhD in molecular biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science (1985). His postdoctoral training was undertaken at Genentech, Inc., in San Francisco and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1988, he joined the Weizmann Institute of Science’s faculty. At the Institute, he has served as Dean of the Faculty of Biology (1997-1999), Vice President for Academic Affairs (1999-2001), the first Director of the MD Moross Institute for Cancer Research (1999-2001), and Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School (2001-2007). He is the new director of the Institute for Cancer Therapy Research of the Moross Integrated Cancer Center and is the Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professor of Molecular Cell Biology.

    Prof. Yarden’s research focuses on a vital family of proteins called “growth factors,” hormone-like molecules that play a critical role in embryo development and wound healing; and, particularly, on a group of four membrane-bound cellular proteins known as “epidermal growth factor receptors.” His research is helping to shed light on the way growth factors and their receptors promote tumor growth. Prof. Yarden discovered the function of a molecular amplifier, called HER2,  that strengthens the chemical signals that cause cells to become cancerous. This amplifier is an enzyme and a receptor found in large quantities on cancerous cell membranes, especially in breast, ovary, and gastric tumors. This finding established a foundation for new cancer treatments based on “silencing” the molecular amplifier.

    From 2011 till 2014 Prof. Yarden served as President of the Federations of Israeli Societies of Experimental Biology (FISEB/ILANIT). Among his many honors and awards are the EMET Prize in Biochemistry (2007), the 43rd Leoplod Griffuel Award of Fondation ARC pour la Recherche sur le Cancer (2015), the 2008 Hamilton Fairly Award of the European Societies of Clinical Oncology (ESMO), the MERIT award of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (2005), the TEVA Founders Prize (2004), and the Michael Bruno Prize of the Yad Hanadiv (Rothschild) Fund (2000). In 2010 he was the recipient of the Ernst W. Bertner Memorial Award from the University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Center, and, in 2012, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Basic Research. He was elected to the Israel Academy of Scien nd Humanities in 2007.

    Read More »

    Prof. Yosef Yarden

    Department of Biological Regulation
    Director, Dwek Institute for Cancer Therapy Research
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Israel, Prof. Yosef Yarden received his BSc in biological and geological sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1980), and a PhD in molecular biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science (1985). His postdoctoral training was undertaken at Genentech, Inc., in San Francisco and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1988, he joined the Weizmann Institute of Science’s faculty. At the Institute, he has served as Dean of the Faculty of Biology (1997-1999), Vice President for Academic Affairs (1999-2001), the first Director of the MD Moross Institute for Cancer Research (1999-2001), and Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School (2001-2007). He is the new director of the Institute for Cancer Therapy Research of the Moross Integrated Cancer Center and is the Harold and Zelda Goldenberg Professor of Molecular Cell Biology.

    Prof. Yarden’s research focuses on a vital family of proteins called “growth factors,” hormone-like molecules that play a critical role in embryo development and wound healing; and, particularly, on a group of four membrane-bound cellular proteins known as “epidermal growth factor receptors.” His research is helping to shed light on the way growth factors and their receptors promote tumor growth. Prof. Yarden discovered the function of a molecular amplifier, called HER2,  that strengthens the chemical signals that cause cells to become cancerous. This amplifier is an enzyme and a receptor found in large quantities on cancerous cell membranes, especially in breast, ovary, and gastric tumors. This finding established a foundation for new cancer treatments based on “silencing” the molecular amplifier.

    From 2011 till 2014 Prof. Yarden served as President of the Federations of Israeli Societies of Experimental Biology (FISEB/ILANIT). Among his many honors and awards are the EMET Prize in Biochemistry (2007), the 43rd Leoplod Griffuel Award of Fondation ARC pour la Recherche sur le Cancer (2015), the 2008 Hamilton Fairly Award of the European Societies of Clinical Oncology (ESMO), the MERIT award of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (2005), the TEVA Founders Prize (2004), and the Michael Bruno Prize of the Yad Hanadiv (Rothschild) Fund (2000). In 2010 he was the recipient of the Ernst W. Bertner Memorial Award from the University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Center, and, in 2012, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Basic Research. He was elected to the Israel Academy of Scien nd Humanities in 2007.

  • Abraham B. Yehoshua

    Novelist
    Israel

    Leading novelist A.B. Yehoshua was born in Jerusalem in 1936, the fifth generation of a Sephardi Jerusalem family. After studying Hebrew literature and philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he started a teaching career. From 1963 to 1967, he lived and taught in Paris, and since 1972, he taught Hebrew and comparative literature at Haifa University. He is now Professor Emeritus.

    Leading novelist A.B. Yehoshua was born in Jerusalem in 1936, the fifth generation of a Sephardi Jerusalem family. After studying Hebrew literature and philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he started a teaching career. From 1963 to 1967, he lived and taught in Paris, and since 1972, he taught Hebrew and comparative literature at Haifa University. He is now Professor Emeritus.

    Yehoshua has published novels, short stories, plays and essays and is one of the best internationally known Israeli authors. He has received many literary prizes both in Israel and abroad, among which: the Brenner Prize (1983), the Alterman Prize (1986), the Bialik Prize (1989), England's "Best Novel of the Year" for Mr Mani(1992), the Israel Prize for Literature (1995), the Koret Jewish Book Award (USA, 2000), the National Jewish Book Award, the Giovanni Boccaccio Prize (Italy, 2005), the Viareggio Prize for Lifetime Achievement (Italy, 2005), the Prix Medicis Etranger (France, 2012) for Spanish Charity (The Retrospective), the Culture Minister's Zionism Prize for Can Two Walk Together (2013), the Hemingway Prize (Italy, 2014) and the EMET prize (2016).

    In 2007, his novel Five Seasons (Molcho)was selected as one of the ten most important books since the creation of the State of Israel.

    Yehoshua's work has been published abroad in 28 languages. 

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    Abraham B. Yehoshua

    Novelist
    Israel

    Leading novelist A.B. Yehoshua was born in Jerusalem in 1936, the fifth generation of a Sephardi Jerusalem family. After studying Hebrew literature and philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he started a teaching career. From 1963 to 1967, he lived and taught in Paris, and since 1972, he taught Hebrew and comparative literature at Haifa University. He is now Professor Emeritus.

    Yehoshua has published novels, short stories, plays and essays and is one of the best internationally known Israeli authors. He has received many literary prizes both in Israel and abroad, among which: the Brenner Prize (1983), the Alterman Prize (1986), the Bialik Prize (1989), England's "Best Novel of the Year" for Mr Mani(1992), the Israel Prize for Literature (1995), the Koret Jewish Book Award (USA, 2000), the National Jewish Book Award, the Giovanni Boccaccio Prize (Italy, 2005), the Viareggio Prize for Lifetime Achievement (Italy, 2005), the Prix Medicis Etranger (France, 2012) for Spanish Charity (The Retrospective), the Culture Minister's Zionism Prize for Can Two Walk Together (2013), the Hemingway Prize (Italy, 2014) and the EMET prize (2016).

    In 2007, his novel Five Seasons (Molcho)was selected as one of the ten most important books since the creation of the State of Israel.

    Yehoshua's work has been published abroad in 28 languages. 

  • Prof. Daniel Zajfman

    President
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Belgium, in 1959, Prof. Daniel Zajfman moved to Israel in 1979. He received a BSc (1983) and a PhD in atomic physics (1989) from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. After working as a consultant for Elscint, in Haifa, Prof. Zajfman spent two years at the Argonne National Laboratory, near Chicago, as a postdoctoral fellow. He returned to Israel in 1991 and joined the staff of the Weizmann Institute's Department of Particle Physics (now the Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics)  where he is the incumbent of the Simon Weinstock Professorial Chair of Astrophysics. 2003. 

    Born in Belgium, in 1959, Prof. Daniel Zajfman moved to Israel in 1979. He received a BSc (1983) and a PhD in atomic physics (1989) from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. After working as a consultant for Elscint, in Haifa, Prof. Zajfman spent two years at the Argonne National Laboratory, near Chicago, as a postdoctoral fellow. He returned to Israel in 1991 and joined the staff of the Weizmann Institute's Department of Particle Physics (now the Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics)  where he is the incumbent of the Simon Weinstock Professorial Chair of Astrophysics. 2003. Since 2001, he has been an external member of the Max Planck Institute of Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany, and in 2005, he was appointed Director in that institute. In November 2006, Prof. Zajfman was elected the tenth President of the Weizmann Institute of Science by the Institute's Board of Governors. He assumed this position on December 1, 2006, becoming, at the age of 47, the youngest president the Institute ever had.
    Prof. Zajfman's research interests focus on atomic and molecular physics, with a strong emphasis on molecular breakup via electron or photon interactions. These issues are most relevant not only to the field of molecular dynamics, but also to the understanding of laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. In essence, Prof. Zajfman wishes to determine how, under harsh conditions, molecules are formed in diffuse and dense interstellar clouds. Prof. Zajfman's experiments involve the use of storage rings, advanced devices in which molecular ions move through a circular vacuum at speeds of approximately 10,000 kilometers per second. The "hot" ions that are produced are then cooled to interstellar temperatures by trapping them in the storage ring. In recent years, Prof. Zajfman developed an improved version of the so-called "ion trap" for the study of molecular reactions, thus enabling him to create a tabletop version of the huge and very expensive storage rings. This, coupled with a new technique he developed for long-term ion storage, enables his team to reproduce, in the laboratory, some of the conditions (e.g., a low-temperature and a low-density environment) existing in interstellar space.
    Prof. Zajfman also seeks to understand the astrophysical conditions found in a galaxy's star-forming regions or supernova remnants. Stars are born when an interstellar cloud, made up of atoms and molecules, collapses on itself. Prof. Zajfman and his colleagues work to solve the riddle of star formation by recreating interstellar conditions in a laboratory environment. For years, scientists believed that molecular collisions occurring as interstellar clouds collapse cause the release of radiation energy, which cools the system down. Prof. Zajfman was among the scientists who proved that an important component of this radiating "coolant" was ordinary water. In other studies, Prof. Zajfman has developed new techniques for the direct, three-dimensional imaging of molecular breakup events, providing new insight into these basic chemical processes.
    In addition to his research, Prof. Zajfman has invested much time and effort in community outreach, to the public in general and youth in particular. One of his goals is to broaden interest in and knowledge of the advances taking place on the scientific front. He has also taught various undergraduate and graduate physics courses, both at the Technion and Weizmann Institute.
    As President of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Prof. Zajfman has given priority to sustaining the Institute's standards of excellence. He has led the establishment of several research schools, centers, and institutes. Under his direction, major funds have been invested in developing the Institute's infrastructure. These efforts include the construction of a new conference center, a technical services facility, a building to house biochemical research, and a cutting-edge preclinical facility.
    Prof. Zajfman has also worked to advance collaboration between Institute scientists and researchers and academics in the social sciences and humanities.
    Prof. Zajfman is married to Joelle, who has an MSc in physics and works as a sculptor, and is father to Eyal and Noga.

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    Prof. Daniel Zajfman

    President
    Weizmann Institute of Science

    Born in Belgium, in 1959, Prof. Daniel Zajfman moved to Israel in 1979. He received a BSc (1983) and a PhD in atomic physics (1989) from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. After working as a consultant for Elscint, in Haifa, Prof. Zajfman spent two years at the Argonne National Laboratory, near Chicago, as a postdoctoral fellow. He returned to Israel in 1991 and joined the staff of the Weizmann Institute's Department of Particle Physics (now the Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics)  where he is the incumbent of the Simon Weinstock Professorial Chair of Astrophysics. 2003. Since 2001, he has been an external member of the Max Planck Institute of Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany, and in 2005, he was appointed Director in that institute. In November 2006, Prof. Zajfman was elected the tenth President of the Weizmann Institute of Science by the Institute's Board of Governors. He assumed this position on December 1, 2006, becoming, at the age of 47, the youngest president the Institute ever had.
    Prof. Zajfman's research interests focus on atomic and molecular physics, with a strong emphasis on molecular breakup via electron or photon interactions. These issues are most relevant not only to the field of molecular dynamics, but also to the understanding of laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. In essence, Prof. Zajfman wishes to determine how, under harsh conditions, molecules are formed in diffuse and dense interstellar clouds. Prof. Zajfman's experiments involve the use of storage rings, advanced devices in which molecular ions move through a circular vacuum at speeds of approximately 10,000 kilometers per second. The "hot" ions that are produced are then cooled to interstellar temperatures by trapping them in the storage ring. In recent years, Prof. Zajfman developed an improved version of the so-called "ion trap" for the study of molecular reactions, thus enabling him to create a tabletop version of the huge and very expensive storage rings. This, coupled with a new technique he developed for long-term ion storage, enables his team to reproduce, in the laboratory, some of the conditions (e.g., a low-temperature and a low-density environment) existing in interstellar space.
    Prof. Zajfman also seeks to understand the astrophysical conditions found in a galaxy's star-forming regions or supernova remnants. Stars are born when an interstellar cloud, made up of atoms and molecules, collapses on itself. Prof. Zajfman and his colleagues work to solve the riddle of star formation by recreating interstellar conditions in a laboratory environment. For years, scientists believed that molecular collisions occurring as interstellar clouds collapse cause the release of radiation energy, which cools the system down. Prof. Zajfman was among the scientists who proved that an important component of this radiating "coolant" was ordinary water. In other studies, Prof. Zajfman has developed new techniques for the direct, three-dimensional imaging of molecular breakup events, providing new insight into these basic chemical processes.
    In addition to his research, Prof. Zajfman has invested much time and effort in community outreach, to the public in general and youth in particular. One of his goals is to broaden interest in and knowledge of the advances taking place on the scientific front. He has also taught various undergraduate and graduate physics courses, both at the Technion and Weizmann Institute.
    As President of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Prof. Zajfman has given priority to sustaining the Institute's standards of excellence. He has led the establishment of several research schools, centers, and institutes. Under his direction, major funds have been invested in developing the Institute's infrastructure. These efforts include the construction of a new conference center, a technical services facility, a building to house biochemical research, and a cutting-edge preclinical facility.
    Prof. Zajfman has also worked to advance collaboration between Institute scientists and researchers and academics in the social sciences and humanities.
    Prof. Zajfman is married to Joelle, who has an MSc in physics and works as a sculptor, and is father to Eyal and Noga.