We, the presidents of the research universities in Israel, express our deep concern over the recent surge of severe violence, antisemitism, and anti-Israel sentiment across numerous leading universities in the United States. These disturbing events are often organized and supported by Palestinian groups, including those recognized as terrorist organizations. This troubling development has led to a climate where Israeli and Jewish students and faculty members feel compelled to hide their identities or avoid campuses altogether for fear of physical harm.
We acknowledge the efforts of our counterparts at these institutions to address these issues. We understand the complexity and challenges involved in managing incited and hateful groups, recognizing that extreme situations may require measures beyond the conventional tools available to university administrations.
Freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate are vital to the health of any democracy and are especially crucial in academic settings. We continue to uphold the importance of these freedoms, particularly in these challenging times. However, these freedoms do not include the right to engage in violence, make threats against communities, or call for the destruction of the State of Israel.
We offer our support to the Jewish and Israeli students and faculty facing these difficult circumstances. We will do our best to assist those of them who wish to join Israeli universities and find a welcoming academic and personal home.
Prof. Arie Zaban, President of Bar-Ilan University; Chairperson of Association of University Heads – VERA
Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Prof. Alon Chen, President of the Weizmann Institute of Science
Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Prof. Leo Corry, President of the Open University
Prof. Ehud Grossman, President of Ariel University
Prof. Ariel Porat, President of Tel-Aviv University
Prof. Ron Robin, President of the University of Haifa
Prof. Uri Sivan, President of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Israel’s just and unavoidable response to the massacre of October 7th spawned a wave of anti-Israel and antisemitic protests around the world. These vile reactions are based on denialism and false information about the horrible crimes committed by the Hamas terrorists against babies, children, adults and the elderly.
“Unfortunately,” says Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, “faculty members from many universities in the West joined this wave, as did student organizations and professional associations. Given the feeble responses of quite a few presidents of leading universities in North America, Europe and Australia, many Jewish and Israeli students and researchers currently face physical and verbal threats that cause them to think twice about everything they do and prevent them from participating in academic activities in those institutions. As a result of this situation and given the Technion’s important role in the history of the Jewish People during the last 100 years, we have announced a program for the rapid integration of students and faculty members from around the world looking for an academic refuge during these difficult times.”
Last week, the Technion published a Call for Proposals inviting faculty and students from around the world to join the Technion and pursue their studies, teaching and research activities on the Technion’s campuses in Haifa.
Faculty members (all ranks) are invited to come to the Technion for a period of teaching and research.
Researchers with a PhD degree are invited to join Technion’s post-doctoral program under the guidance of Technion faculty or joint guidance with a mentor from their home institution.
Students are invited to join research projects in Technion’s labs under the guidance of Technion faculty for a period of two months to a year, by joining the Student Exchange or Study Abroad programs that offer a wide range of courses, mainly for graduate degrees. These courses are taught in English in numerous Technion faculties.
Suitable students are invited to apply for a full research degree (Master’s or PhD) under the guidance of Technion faculty or joint guidance with a mentor from their home institution.
The Technion has already received a number of inquiries from students and faculty interested in this opportunity.
“The Technion will continue to serve as a supportive and safe research university for everyone,” summarizes the President of the Technion, “and I invite undergraduate and graduate students and faculty from all over the world to join us during this difficult time, and to be part of our academic community at the forefront of global research and education.”
Prof. Shulamit Levenberg’s research group has developed an innovative non-invasive method for bio-printing live cells and tissues deep within the body using external sound wave irradiation. The research team includes postdoctoral fellow Dr. Lior Debbi, who completed all of his academic degrees at the Technion, and Majd Machour, a doctoral student in the MD/PhD program.
Prof. Shulamit Levenberg
Many biomedical applications require precise delivery of biocompatible materials for various purposes such as localized drug release, grafting of tissues, and implantation of engineered cells and tissues for organ regeneration. Currently, highly invasive surgeries are the norm, and are accompanied by risks including infection, tissue damage, and long healing periods.
In the researchers’ innovative method, cells or drugs are delivered within a biological fluid ink directly to the treated area deep within the body through direct injection or catheterization. Subsequently, the engineered tissue is printed using sound waves emitted from an external ultrasonic transducer. Thus, engineered tissue can be built deep within the body without exposing the treated site.
The versatility of the new technology is demonstrated in contexts such as local cell transplantation, continuous localized drug delivery over time, and three-dimensional bioprinting. The mechanical properties of the grafts can be tailored according to the target tissue and the desired drug release rate.
I am writing this letter amidst an extensive visit to Jewish communities in the United States, where I have been meeting with hundreds of our supporters, as well as with Jewish and Israeli students and faculty. Due to the current situation, the events that were planned to mark the Technion’s centennial have taken on a different nature and have become a deeply moving experience. I have encountered solidarity, a deep sense of partnership, and a warm willingness to assist in any way possible. I have also met admiration for the Technion and all it represents; an institution with a glorious tradition and a clear moral compass, committed to an enlightened, inclusive, and pluralistic society, a cornerstone of the country’s security and economic prosperity, and the future of the Jewish people. The meetings with our supporters are very moving, and it is evident that the Technion is perceived in their eyes as a pillar of hope for better days ahead.
It’s hard for us to grasp this hope and trust in our daily routines, in our research labs, and in our classrooms, but as demonstrated on Sunday night, we bear significant responsibility in the form of the major success of the Israeli aerospace interception systems, many of which were developed by Technion alumni.
The days pass, seasons change, and Passover is here, and with it, spring is blooming. We’ve already finished a semester, and yet, nothing is normal. Half a year has passed since October 7, a painful six months for many among us whose lives changed forever on that day, and in the days that followed. As the holiday of freedom approaches, it is overshadowed by the six months of captivity of our loved ones -133 women and men, children and adults, Jews and Arabs, who were kidnapped by murderers and have not yet returned. We lost students and family members on the battlefield, and many others were injured; we will continue to support their families, to console, embrace, and strengthen them.
Approximately 3,500 students and academic and administrative staff from the Technion were called up for reserve duty. In anticipation of their return, we postponed the start of the academic year until mid-January, two weeks after other universities. Some are still serving, and many have been discharged and have already been called back to reserve duty in the coming months. Since the beginning of the war, the Technion has been conspicuous in its support of thousands of student reservists and in the extensive academic adjustments it has made to facilitate their integration into the academic year. With the assistance of our friends in Israel and around the world, we have been able to provide our students with a comprehensive and unprecedented package of support, including extensive financial assistance and comprehensive emotional support provided by psychologists, counselors, and social workers trained in trauma therapy. We have recruited dozens of mentors from the teaching staff, including retired staff members who have now joined the teaching effort. We have built an extensive academic support system that accompanies the student reservists and helps them bridge academic gaps. The challenges are great, but our commitment is deep, and we will continue to support and assist them and their families to the best of our ability so that no student is left behind.
As a cohesive community, we have faced immense challenges and we continue to deal with them, but now we must turn our gaze forward. The Technion has a unique responsibility, and it is incumbent upon all of us to contribute to the recovery of the State of Israel and to secure its future. The Technion is the primary source of trained high-end engineers, scientists, doctors, architects, and educators who will lead the Israeli economy forward, and we can be proud of the semester that, ended successfully last week, despite all the difficulties. The Technion is a hotbed of technological innovation in Israel. Here, ideas are born, and these must continue to flourish to assist the recovery of the Israeli economy and industry. We must fight the waves of anti-Semitism in foreign universities, support students and faculty there and strengthen collaborations with them. As importantly, we also bear a deep social responsibility – to continue to serve as an example of an inclusive, liberal, egalitarian, and tolerant society for all.
I wish you and your families a unifying and comforting Passover holiday, and to the Christian and Muslim members of our family, a meaningful spring holiday. On the eve of the Seder, we will contemplate the empty chair of Elijah the Prophet, and together as a cohesive and diverse community, we will hope for the swift release of all captives and the healing of the wounded. Our hearts will be with them and with all those who have lost and miss their dear ones.
Last summer, the Technion women’s futsal team reached new heights following its qualification for the European Championship. Their participation was ultimately canceled due to the war, but the coach and players believe the opportunity will return.
The team’s coach is Yasmin Awwad, a Technion graduate and a structural engineer at the Israel Electric Company. She grew up in Tamra, a town in the Lower Galilee, where she played football for fun as a child. In the 11th grade, she took part in a student exchange program and spent a year in the United States. “There, in schooltime, I played football for the first time in an organized manner, with a coach. I began to understand the meaning of playing as part of a team and how it benefits the players.”
Technion Women’s Futsal Team
When Awwad arrived at the Technion, her mentor told her that she played football on the Technion team and asked her to join. “Since then, I have always played football. When I finished my first degree, I decided to continue studying for a second degree, simply because I did not want to leave the team.” Awwad completed no less than four degrees at the Technion: three undergraduate degrees (biomedical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, and mapping and geo-Information) and a master’s in urban planning in the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning. In addition to her studies at the Technion, she attended a coaching course at the Wingate Institute, with the aim of bringing football to Tamra. She believes that “we need to give back to the society in which we grew up.”
Fulfilling her dream was not simple. For two years, she ran a football club in Tamra. Then with the help of two partners who believed, as she did, in the power of women’s football, she joined a league club. “This is our fourth year, and today the club has 150 female members, ranging from first grade to graduates. After a year in the state league, we moved up to the national league.” She volunteers with the club out of a desire to create social change through education and sport.
After a year of work and completing her coaching studies, Awwad asked to return to play on the Technion team, but she was told that only students could play. She registered for her second undergraduate degree, and a year later she became the coach of the Technion team.
According to Gaia Levin, one of the team’s veterans: “Girls playing football is not a common sight in Israel, and I believe that teams like ours can serve as an example for girls who might enjoy football.” Levin, a self-described “tomboy” growing up, said “I trained in judo for many years and played some football, but it was only at the Technion sports club that I realized I was good at it and joined the futsal team. It’s a great team sport, and change in this area can benefit many girls and women. There are places where it is perceived as a sport for both men and women, and I would like us to succeed in normalizing this in Israeli society.”
Technion Women’s Futsal Team
Levin, who completed her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering and is now pursuing her master’s degree in the same subject said that “beyond the professional aspect, there is a very unique and unusual encounter here. In most people’s daily lives, there are not many direct encounters between Jews and Arabs. Here there are Jewish and Arab women, students from different faculties, aged from 19 to 30. We are all one team and we all have the same commitment, and this activity brings out aspects of us that may not necessarily be revealed in the routine of studying. This team rises above any political opinion and belief and unites us, making us much stronger together.”
Levin points out that one of the past players of the national team is Rachel Steinschneider, a graduate of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, who currently plays for the Israeli national team and has also played in both the French and Danish leagues. She entered the football world at the age of 21, and since then, her career has flourished both locally and internationally.
Yasmin Awwad completed her training at the Wingate Institute, but Wingate did not leave her. “In the ASA (Academic Sports Association) Championships, Wingate is our toughest competitor; so far we haven’t managed to beat their team. Now, with the intensive training leading up to the championship in France, I believe that improvement can lead us to victory in the university championship in Israel and elevate us from second place to first.”
But the aspiration to win is not as important to her as the immense value that football gives to the national team players. “Only when playing football can one understand its positive impact. Training in the team creates a more connected and better society, and in the Technion women’s team, you can see this connection well. It includes Jewish and Arab women, religious and secular, of different ages and with different political positions. All these differences disappear when you play on the pitch. Everything becomes simpler because you can’t win without teamwork.”
In line with the latest directives from the Home Front Command and the lifting of restrictions on Israel’s education system, work, research, educational activities, and exams at Technion campuses will resume as normal tomorrow.
Instructions regarding examinations originally scheduled for Sunday and Monday, April 14-15, 2024, as well as solutions for schedule conflicts of exams, have been issued by the School of Undergraduate Studies.
We wish you success in your upcoming exams and hope for a peaceful week ahead.
Technion Update: Schedule Changes and Safety Measures
Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024, 19:45
Dear Technion Community,
In light of the recent directives from the Home Front Command, effective through Monday, April 15, 2024, at 23:00, we are issuing the following important updates:
Examination Schedule: All exams scheduled for Monday, April 15, have also been postponed.
Exams originally set for today, Sunday, April 14, are rescheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 5:00 PM.
Exams that were to be held on Monday, April 15, will now take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 5:00 PM.
Updated room assignments will be available on the student portal tomorrow. Please note that certain subjects may have different rescheduled dates; those affected will receive direct notifications. Additionally, the Undergraduate Studies Office will provide alternative dates for any overlapping exams.
Campus Operations:
Both Technion and TRDF staff at all campuses will work as usual tomorrow. Parents with children up to 14 years old may choose to work remotely. Managers are expected to accommodate this, and demonstrate flexibility in addressing the needs of their teams.
Support Services:
The Dean of Students’ office is accessible 24/7 for student concerns. Students can reach the Center for Counseling and Support via phone at 077-8874112 or email at counseling-director@technion.ac.il during regular business hours. For immediate assistance, message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/message/MTWCFMOC3YN7B1.
The Human Resources Department is also available for urgent inquiries from administrative and academic staff at any time via WhatsApp at 053-5466258.
Safety Precautions:
Please familiarize yourself with the locations of shelters and secure rooms on campus. Remain prepared by reviewing emergency procedures. Links to the list of shelters and an instructional video on emergency behavior are provided for your convenience:
The A.M. Turing Award, also known as the “Nobel Prize of Computing,” will be granted to Prof. Avi Wigderson, a graduate of the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science at the Technion and a researcher at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton. The award is an annual prize given by the ACM – the American Association for Computing Machinery.
In June 2023, Prof. Wigderson received an honorary doctorate from the Technion for “his significant contribution and leadership in the fields of computer science theory and discrete mathematics, including complexity theory, cryptography, expanding graphs, and more; and in gratitude for his long-standing relationship with the Technion, beginning with his undergraduate studies.”
Prof. Avi Wigderson with the President of the Technion, Prof. Uri Sivan
Prof. Wigderson, born in Haifa (1956), completed his undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Computer Science at the Technion in 1980. He went on to earn a master’s degree and doctorate at Princeton University. He currently serves as a researcher at the Institute for Advanced Study. Over the years, he has published hundreds of articles and has won numerous awards and scholarships, including the Alon Fellowship, the Gödel Prize, the Knuth Prize, and the Nevanlinna Prize. Prof. Wigderson is also an author. His book, Mathematics and Computation: A Theory Revolutionizing Technology and Science, makes the field of complexity accessible and explains its connections to computer science theory.
President of the Technion, Prof. Uri Sivan, congratulated Prof. Wigderson and said: “We are very proud of the fact that he is a Technion alumnus with a long-standing connection to our community of researchers. Last year, we conferred on him an honorary doctorate for his groundbreaking contribution to a wide spectrum of subjects, from discrete mathematics to complex cryptography. Prof. Widgerson’s winning the Turing Award proves that the world recognizes his seminal contributions. We congratulate him on this huge honor and rejoice together with him.”
Prof. Danny Raz, the dean of the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science said: “Prof. Wigderson’s immense contributions to the realms of mathematics and computing have earned him international recognition, including prestigious awards such as the Abel Prize, the Gödel Prize, the Knuth Prize, and the Nevanlinna Prize. Now, his exceptional achievements have led to his selection for the highest honor in computer science, the Nobel Prize equivalent, the Turing Award. Prof. Wigderson serves as a role model for our graduates, embodying the Technion spirit as an alum who, since completing his studies, has dedicated his career to advancing human knowledge. A brilliant researcher in both mathematics and computer science, and at their interface, he is truly deserving of this esteemed award”
From right to left: Prof. Avi Wigderson with the President of the Technion, Prof. Uri Sivan, and the Dean of the Graduate School, Prof. Uri Peskin
Prof. Wigderson spoke on behalf of the degree recipients at the honorary doctorate ceremony, held in June 2023, as part of the Technion’s annual Board of Governors meeting and said: “I have no doubt that all of us, the degree recipients, are excited to be here tonight. It is a tremendous honor. I would like to thank the Israeli academia and all the people who contributed to my career – my family, teachers and mentors, students, and postdoctoral researchers. I am grateful to all the academic institutions I have been a part of, with the Technion, of course, being the first: my alma mater. The Technion prepared me well for my academic career. I had excellent teachers here. Here in 1980, I met Edna, who later became my wife, in a class dealing with problem-solving. We fell in love here, and here, in the Technion synagogue, we got married. Here, I also fell in love with my field of study – the theory of computer science. The Technion is a beacon of excellence contributing to the security of the State of Israel and its economy through a pursuit of knowledge and truth through inquiry and reasoning, openness, and collaboration with Israeli and global society. It is important to preserve these values.”
A video filmed on the occasion of the 2023 honorary doctorate ceremony:
Prof. Michael Glickman, dean of the Faculty of Biology, will receive the grant for studying “The origin and impact of impaired ubiquitin signaling in the degeneration of neurons.” Prof. Glickman and his team have developed an innovative model for studying Alzheimer’s disease using nerve cells derived from human stem cells. The research they propose is based on their hypothesis that impairment of the ubiquitin system, which clears cells of damaged proteins, could lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. With the help of their innovative experimental model, the grant will enable the researchers to identify the specific component in the ubiquitin system that contributes to the development of the disease in its early stages and better understand the underlying mechanism. The long-term aim is to develop novel treatments to repair brain damage in Alzheimer’s patients.
Prof. Michael Glickman
Prof. Jackie Schiller from the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine will receive the grant for her research on “Dendrites as the main computational units for sustained motor learning in the brain cortex.” At the core of the research: an innovative hypothesis about how the brain manages to retain existing memories while learning new tasks – a challenge that artificial intelligence has not yet solved. According to Prof. Schiller’s hypothesis, these remarkable memory abilities are based on the ability of dendritic branches within brain cortex cells to store large amounts of information simultaneously. Another conjecture by Prof. Schiller is that disruptions in this mechanism are a key factor in various neurological disorders such as those involved in Parkinson’s disease.
Prof. Jackie Schiller
The ERC Advanced Grant is one of Horizon Europe’s most prestigious and competitive grants, providing exceptional researchers with the opportunity to engage in ambitious, curiosity-driven projects that may lead to dramatic breakthroughs. The grants are dedicated to a wide range of research areas from life and physical sciences to social sciences and humanities.
Iliana Ivanova, commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth in the Horizon Europe program, said: “These grants will not only support leading researchers in pushing the boundaries of knowledge, but also create some 2,500 jobs for postdoctoral fellows, PhD students and other research staff across Europe. This investment nurtures the next generation of brilliant minds.”
Maria Leptin, president of the European Research Council (ERC), congratulated the winners and added: “I am particularly happy to see more mid-career scientists amongst the Advanced Grant winners this year. I hope that it will encourage more researchers at this career stage to apply for these grants.”
A solidarity delegation of faculty members from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) visited the Technion campus at the end of March to express solidarity with the Technion and the academic community in Israel. During their tour of the campus, the delegation met with Technion administration and researchers from the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science.
MIT-Berkeley Delegation
Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan spoke to the delegation about the University’s rapid response preparedness following the events of October 7. The response included including hosting dozens of displaced families, assisting students serving in the military, and establishing a “Mutual Support Center” that included hundreds of volunteers and provided assistance to the Technion community, evacuees and IDF soldiers. In response to the guests’ inquiries about how they could help, Prof. Sivan replied: “It is incumbent upon the presidents of universities in the United States to issue a clear and unequivocal public statement supporting Israeli academia and research collaborations, and opposing boycotts that call for refraining from inviting Israeli researchers to international conferences and publishing their articles.”
The representatives of MIT and UC Berkeley stated that they are working to garner support for Israel through donations and education. “Now more than ever, it is important to increase the presence of Israeli researchers, to create more research collaborations to demonstrate support and to support Israeli advocacy.”
As part of the visit, MIT Prof. Daniel Jackson gave a lecture at the Taub Faculty of Computer Science, demonstrating how certain perceptions generate dramatic innovations in the software world. Prof. Jackson’s book, “The Essence of Software,” in which he presents a completely new approach to software content, was published in 2021.
Gut bacteria have emerged as a focal point of scientific exploration, with their intricate roles in our metabolism, nutrition, and overall health coming into sharp focus. New research from the Technion has made a discovery that could lead to a better understanding of and treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Prof. Naama Geva-Zatorsky
Over millions of years of coevolution with humans, gut bacteria have become indispensable for our immune system’s proper functioning. The gut is a constantly changing organ, undergoing structural, mechanical, and chemical alterations. Gut bacteria must adapt to this dynamic environment. A major mechanism that enables such dynamic adaptation is their ability to undergo rapid genomic changes due to a trait known as plasticity – a facet that Professor Naama Geva-Zatorsky and her team in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine have been investigating together with their collaborators.
The research team of this study included Shaqed Carasso, Rawan Zaatry, Haitham Hajjo, Dana Kadosh-Kariti, and Dr. Tal Gefen, and it was performed in collaboration with scientists from the U.S., Spain, and Israel: Dr. Michael Coyne, Prof. Laurie Comstock, Prof. Juan Joffre, Dr. Jeffrey Kate, Technion graduate Dr. Itai Sharon from the Migal Galilee Research Institute, and Prof. Yehuda Chowers and Dr. Sigal Pressman from the Rambam Medical Center.
From left to right: Top row: Rawan Zaatry, Shaqed Carasso, Haitham Hajjo. Bottom row: Dana Kadosh-Kariti, Dr. Itai Sharon, Prof. Naama Geva-Zatorsky, Dr. Tal Gefen
The study focused on species of the Bacteroidales order, some of the most abundant species in the human gut microbiome. While analyzing more than 2,000 healthy and sick individuals and conducting preclinical research in mice models, the Technion scientists identified distinct patterns of DNA inversions in health and disease. These reversible DNA inversions flip the orientation of key gene segments, switching ON and OFF production of molecules. Interestingly, in Bacteroides fragilis, DNA inversions turned OFF the production of polysaccharide A, a molecule coating the bacteria that beneficially induces regulatory T cells – a specialized immune cell type that suppresses excessive inflammation and maintains gut homeostasis.
The likely culprit? Bacteriophages, or viruses that infect bacteria. Further examination of fecal samples from IBD patients revealed a striking pattern: the PSA promoter was predominantly in the OFF state, correlating with increased levels of B. fragilis-associated bacteriophages. Subsequent experiments with germ-free mice, colonized with B. fragilis in the presence of bacteriophages, highlighted a significant increase in B. fragilis with the OFF state and a notable reduction in populations of Treg cells.
Remarkably, the findings reveal an ingenious adaptation strategy used by gut microbes, allowing them to dynamically reprogram gene expression based on local conditions like inflammation or viral attacks. However, this biological shape-shifting may worsen disease by crippling production of molecules like PSA that regulate the immune system and attenuate gut inflammation.
“This research offers a critical insight into the intricate interactions between gut bacteria and the immune system in inflammatory bowel disease. Our explanation is that the same genomic flexibility that was developed through evolution provides the bacteria with functional plasticity, thereby helping them to adapt to intestinal disease,” commented Prof. Geva-Zatorsky. “It opens doors for targeted interventions aimed at restoring the balance of gut microbiota in IBD patients.”
Cover page photo: Cell Host & Microbe – How bacteriophages (in purple) influence bacterial functionality through DNA inversion – a bacteriophage-induced bacterial functional alteration that impacts the mammalian host immune system. This alteration is illustrated by the change in color of the bacteria from yellow to green upon encounter with bacteriophages. Illustration Credit: Tomm Blum from the Geva-Zatorsky lab
The research was supported by the European Research Council (ERC), the Technion President’s Fund, the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Cancer Research Center, the Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, the Council for Higher Education (Alon Scholarship), the Israel Science Foundation, the Dan and Betty Kahn Foundation, Seerave Foundation, CIFAR, Human Frontier Science Program, and the Gutwirth Fund.
United States Ambassador to Israel Jacob J. Lew, visited the Technion on Tuesday, April 2, with embassy representatives. The delegation met with Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan; Senior Executive Vice President Prof. Oded Rabinovitch; Executive Vice President for Research Prof. Noam Adir; and Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Prof. Adi Salzberg.
Technion management with the ambassador’s delegation
President Sivan presented the delegation with the history of the Technion and its exceptional impact on the State of Israel. He led them on a tour of the David and Janet Polak Visitors Center and showcased some of the key discoveries by Technion researchers, including those that led to Nobel Prize awards.
Ambassador Lew earned his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Harvard University and his JD from the Georgetown University Law Center. He was sworn in as Ambassador to Israel on November 2, 2023, following his service as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, White House Chief of Staff, and Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). After leaving the Department of the Treasury, Ambassador Lew served as Managing Partner at Lindsay Goldberg, as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at New York University, and as a faculty member at Columbia University.
Ambassador Jacob J. Lew looks at the Nano-Bible display at the Technion’s Polak Visitors Center
When asked about changes in relations between the Technion and Western academic institutions following the events of October 7, Prof. Sivan responded: “Certainly, some things have changed, but it is too early to determine if these are long-term changes. In any case, difficulties are more noticeable in the fields of humanities and social sciences and less so in the fields that are taught and researched at the Technion. It is important to clarify that it is acceptable to disagree, it is acceptable to have disputes, but it is essential to draw the line where freedom of expression is exploited for incitement. Indeed, the situation today is better in universities where administrations have made it clear that there are red lines.” The Technion President added: “We, the residents of Israel, are currently experiencing very great difficulties, but we are aware of the distress faced by Jews in the United States. It is our duty to be attentive to them and to assist them as much as possible.”
Dean Zadok, a Ph.D. student in the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, has developed a robotic system that could change the lives of amputees for the better. The system already allows users to play the piano and type on a computer, and Dean plans to further enhance its capabilities. “Many daily tasks, such as typing, making coffee, or changing a light bulb, are very challenging for people with amputated hands,” he explains. “Hence, the immense importance of efficient and user-friendly solutions.”
Dean Zadok presenting the development on Faculty Research Day
One of the complex challenges in robotic prosthetic arms is the ability to perform more intricate actions beyond gripping and moving objects. Existing prostheses may allow users, at best, to hold a cup and drink from it, but typing on a computer or playing the piano requires a high level of dexterity. From this complex challenge, a sophisticated project emerged, guided by Dean and three Technion faculty members: Professor Alon Wolf, a robotics and biomechanics expert from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and Taub Faculty of Computer Science researchers Professor Alex Bronstein (computational learning) and Dr. Oren Salzman (robotics).
The new technology is an ultrasound-based robotic system that reads muscle movements, enabling precise and sensitive hand actions, including fine finger movements. The ultrasound system is attached to the forearm, interpreting the user’s intentions based on muscle movements, including complex and fine gestures. The research team estimates this is a significant leap that will substantially advance the field of prosthetics, providing many users with an improved quality of life.
Robotic hand
Dean Zadok, born in Tel Aviv, served in a technological role in the army before beginning his studies at the Technion. During his undergraduate studies, he joined the “Technion Formula” team, which develops race cars representing the Technion in the Formula SAE championships. Alongside fellow students Amir Biran and Tom Hirshberg, he developed a “Formula Simulator” to simulate the autonomous Formula car’s driving for testing purposes. The algorithm developed by the team allows the autonomous car to seamlessly drive in an unseen racing track, considering various factors such as weather, track conditions, speed, and more. The system was developed under the guidance of Technion Visiting Professor Kira Radinsky and Ashish Kapoor from Microsoft.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Dean went to Seattle to intern in Microsoft’s research labs. Upon his return to Israel, he began his studies for a master’s degree at the Technion. He volunteered and gained extensive experience in the field of prosthetics in Prof. Wolf’s lab and at Haifa3D, a non-profit organization aimed at creating awareness to and acquiring skills in 3D digital creation of physical object using 3D printing. He also visited the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he learned about the next generation of robotic prosthetics. “Participating in the Formula car development was an amazing experience,” he says, “but I always wanted to apply my knowledge for the benefit of human health. Algorithms find their application in a variety of fields, and I am glad I could harness it for the important topic of improving prosthetics for those who have suffered.”
The field of robotic prosthetics is making technological advances, but most smart prostheses currently rely on sensor stickers attached to the skin to interpret muscle signals. According to Dean, “this technology is very limiting, and what we are proposing is a new approach based on ultrasound, providing real-time dynamic information about relevant muscle movements for hand and finger motions.”
Robotic hand
Initially, the team worked on a solution to allow users to separate the attached fingers, but they soon realized there was greater potential: a continuous reconstruction of finger movements based on ultrasound tracking of the contraction muscles in the lower arm. This led to the development of a system that allows users to type on a computer and play the piano.
Dean achieved this feat during his master’s thesis and decided to continue with the project through his doctoral studies. Last summer, he was invited to London to present the project at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA).
While his achievements are already impressive, Dean still has many goals for the future. One such objective is to develop an algorithm that will not only work after training with a specific user but will also adapt well to new users. “Many people who have lost a hand give up on the prosthesis after a short period because it is heavy, cumbersome, and its effectiveness is very limited,” he said. “We are trying to develop lightweight, comfortable, and efficient solutions. To achieve this, we need to continue improving the accuracy and strength of the movements.”
The research is supported by the European Research Council (ERC), the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Israel-U.S. Binational Science Foundation (BSF), the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Wein Family Foundation. The researchers thank Haifa3D for its support.
