2011-2012

	Michal Levo Michal Levo is working on her PhD in the field of computational biology at the Weizmann Institute of Science. In her research, she seeks to understand how the DNA sequence encodes the binding of regulatory proteins and how these then dictate gene expression. Using systematic large scale experiments and computational analysis, she hopes to gain a quantitative, mechanistic understanding of transcription regulation, providing new insights into the dynamics underlying genetically based diseases and paving the way for directed design of gene expression. Publications & More...
	Eran Treister Eran Treister is studying for his PhD in Computer Science at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. His research features the development of algebraic multigrid methods for solving large linear and non-linear systems of equations, arising from complex and common problems met by engineers and scientists on a regular basis. His main goal is to expand the applicability of algebraic multigrid methods, while focusing on adaptive aggregation-based multigrid approaches. Publications & More...
	Yulia Sapir Yulia Sapir is working on her PhD in the field of biotechnology engineering at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. She is researching the use of cardiac tissue engineering to create a vascularized cardiac patch, by creating biomimetic, rigorously controlled microenvironments stimulated by applying electrical and magnetic fields. In doing so, Yulia hopes to induce organization of functional vascularized cardiac tissue, which can treat congenital heart disease and heart failure. Publications & More...
	Mati Zakai-Mashiach Mati Zakai-Mashiach is a PhD student at Tel Aviv University in the field of Special Education. Her research focuses on the social relationships between typically developing (TD) preschoolers and children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) who have been integrated in their classrooms. Her research focuses particularly, on the social-cognition and social behavior characteristics of the TD preschoolers who demonstrated social interest in the ASD child. In addition, she is also examining parents' and teachers' attitudes towards inclusion and towards special needs preschoolers. Mati hopes to offer practical guidelines for community and educational policy for inclusion of special needs individuals into society, from preschool age and onward. Publications & More...
	Asaf Levy Asaf Levy is a PhD student at the Weizmann Institute of Science in the field of Molecular Genetics. His research is multidisciplinary, combining the fields of microbiology, genetics, computer science and statistics, to examine how bacterial non protein-coding genetic elements can cause toxicity to foreign cells. In doing so, Asaf hopes to open a door towards the development of new antibiotics. Publications & More...
	Eyal Karzbrun Eyal Karzbrun is studying for his PhD in the field of Synthetic Biology at the Weizmann Institute of Science. By constructing genetic networks on surfaces and controlling inter-gene distances, he aims to mimic basic cellular functions. Eyal's work lies in the boundary between physics, material science and biology. Through a quantitative approach and a unique system of research, he hopes to bring new insights to the function of genetic networks in cells. Publications & More...
	Shoham Ben-David Shoham Ben-David completed her PhD at the University of Waterloo in Canada, and is currently undertaking postdoctoral research at the Hebrew University's School of Computer Science. Her research focuses on formal methods for hardware and software programs. Her current goal is to define a new partial formalism which would allow software components to be designed separately, and then composed automatically, into one functioning program. Publications & More...
	Merav Battat – Aviram Merav Battat – Aviram is a graduate of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. She is currently studying for an MA at Tel Aviv University's Laboratory for Contemporary Urban Design. Merav's research focuses on urban renewal, examining its political, economic, social, cultural and demographic aspects. By looking at the concept of urban renewal in a critical manner, she hopes to encourage innovative architectural solutions and new models for renewing urban space. Publications & More...
	Efrat Vertes Efrat Vertes is currently studying for her M.Arch. at the Azrieli School of Architecture at Tel Aviv University. After working professionally for a few years, she is now returning to her academic studies to focus on research. Efrat is examining the margins, or fringes of the city, and how this built urban environment, which is inherently unplanned or poorly planned, affects and creates fringe culture. Through her research, she hopes to capture the distinctiveness of the city's fringes, and translate them into planning principles. Publications & More...
	Michal Nissim Michal Nissim is a PhD student at Bar-Ilan University in the field of Education. She is researching the effects of aquatic activities during early childhood on sensory-motor development, language development, and perception development. Michal hopes to provide a neurobiological hypothesis, which will influence the field of hydrotherapy as well as the field of education, offering a deeper understanding of sensory-motor integration and encouraging professionals to seek early and appropriate therapeutic intervention for developmental deficiencies. Publications & More...
	Desiree Tillo Desiree Tillo completed her PhD at the University of Toronto in the field of Genomics, and is currently doing postdoctoral research at the Weizmann Institute of Science. She is working on the development of experimental and computational methods to study how the interplay between transcription factors and nucleosomes dictates patterns of gene expression. Using both 'dry' and 'wet' experimental approaches, Desiree hopes to shed light on mechanisms and design principles of gene regulation. Publications & More...
	Yonathan Anahory Yonathan Anahory completed his PhD at the Universite' de Montre' al in the field of condensed matter physics. He is currently doing postdoctoral research at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Yonathan and his colleagues are developing a new magnetic field microscope which will combine high field sensitivity, high spatial resolution, and high bandwidth for detailed investigation of magnetic phenomena in superconductors. If successful, this microscope could also impact technological fields such as spin based electronics (spintronics), which is a good candidate to replace the technology currently used in the microelectronic industry. Publications & More...
	Anat Zaidman – Zait Anat Zaidman – Zait completed her PhD at the University of British Columbia in the field of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Her post-doctoral research at Tel Aviv University will continue her research in the area of parental stress and coping among parents of children with disabilities. Anat examines the interrelations between children's developmental outcomes and parenting behavior among children with and without disabilities, aiming to develop best practices for early intervention programs for children with disabilities and their families. Publications & More...
	Gad Abikhzer Gad Abikhzer completed his medical doctorate and residency in Nuclear Medicine at McGill University in Montreal. He is currently performing post-doctoral research in the field of Nuclear Medicine at the Technion's Faculty of Medicine and Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, a leader in the field of development and applications of new nuclear medicine cameras. Gad will participate in a number of studies aimed to assess the clinical value of PET (Positron Emission Tomography) in infection and oncology, as well as SPECT/CT Imaging for early diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Publications & More...
	Benoit Palmieri Benoit Palmieri completed his PhD at McGill University in Montreal in theoretical chemistry. He is currently undertaking postdoctoral research at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Using the expertise in diffusion in noisy systems which he developed in relation to crystalline zeolites, Benoit now seeks to apply this knowledge to non-crystalline soft and biological systems. Working closely with research groups at Weizmann will enable him to gain knowledge of additional theoretical methods and biological systems. Publications & More...