Uncategorized - Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology > Uncategorized

The Technion community is profoundly shaken, mourning the devastating loss of lives; infants, children, seniors, women, and men, as well as entire families who were senselessly murdered in a recent act of terror targeting peaceful communities.

We also honor the valiant members of the security forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their homes and loved ones.

The overwhelming sorrow and concern for the abducted, imprisoned, and missing weighs heavily on our hearts.

Our thoughts are steadfastly with our friends who have suffered unimaginable loss, as well as the families of those who have been abducted or injured. With heavy hearts, we extend our deepest condolences to them, and to the whole of Israel.

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Yoram Bar-Sinai z”l

Aged 75, from Kibbutz Be’eri

Graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning

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Captain (res.) Amit Chayut z”l

Aged 29, from Haifa

Amit completed his studies at the Taub Faculty of Computer Science this year

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Master Sergeant (res.) Shmuel (Sammy) Harari z”l

Aged 35, from Safed

Graduate with a master’s degree in real estate studies (MRE)

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Master Sergeant (res.) Dov Moshe Kogan z”l

Aged 32, from Nov

Graduate student and TA at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

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Captain (res.) Yakov Nedlin z”l

Aged 36, from Or Akiva

Graduate of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

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Dr. Hagit Rafaeli Mishkin z”l

Aged 48, from Hod Hasharon

Graduate of the Faculty of Education Science and Technology

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Captain (res.) Alon Safrai z”l

Aged 28, from Jerusalem

Third-year medical student at the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine

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Major Dennis Krahmalov Wexler z”l

Aged 32, from Beer Sheva

Dennis was about to begin his studies at the Technion at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering

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Sergeant Major (res). Eliran Yeger z”l

Aged 36, from Tel Aviv

Master’s student at the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences

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Major (res). Evgeny Zinershain z”l

Aged 43, from Zichron Ya’akov

Graduate of the Taub Faculty of Computer Science

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The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology extends its deepest condolences to the following individuals:

Shahar Amar, student in the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering,

on the death of her father, Chief Superintendent Avi Amar z”l

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Techlet Lev, student in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering

On the death of her cousin, Sergeant Or Avital z”l

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Stav Benjo, student in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering,

on the death of his sister, Staff Sergeant Omer Sarah Benjo z”l

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Assistant Professor Eilam Yalon, faculty member in the Andrew and Erna Viterbi

Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, on the death of his niece, Lin Dafni z”l

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Galit Weizman, administrative staff member in the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry,

on the death of her cousin’s son, Sergeant Shalev Dagan z”l

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Nir Ekstein, student in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering,

on the death of his brother, Matan Ekstein z”l

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Prof. Emeritus Joseph Itzkovich, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, on the death of his grandson, Sergeant First Class Adi Eldor z”l

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Guy Gavriel, student in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering

on the death of her cousin, Sergeant first class Adar Gavriel z"l

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Noi Glass, student in the Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering

on the death of her cousin, Sergeant Yam Glass z"l

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Yuval Golan, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering,

on the death of her cousin, Major Sagi Golan z”l

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Yonina Novik, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering

On the death of her cousin, Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l

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Brothers, Bar Goren, student in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, and Assif Goren, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering,

on the death of their parents, Avner and Maya Goren z”l

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Stav Azulai, a student in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, on the death of her cousin, Staff sergeant Oz Yeshaia Gruber z”l

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Yonathan Haion, administrative staff member in the Development and Maintenance Division, on the death of his brother, Warrant Officer Sebastian Haion z”l

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Michal Keren, teaching coordinator in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of her cousin, Gaya Halifa z”l

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Merav Berkovich, graduate student in the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning,

on the death of her father, Avraham Shraga Hasid z”l

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Omer Itach, student in the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning

on the death of his brother, Captain Harel Itach z”l

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Razan Kat, student in the Faculty of Biomedical Enginering

on the death of her mother, Safaa Kat Awad z”l

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Assistant Professor Raz Palty, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his father-in-law, Avraham (Rami) Katzir z”l

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Assistant Professor Raz Palty, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his brother-in-law, Elad Katzir z”l

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Yotam Keren, student in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his grandmother, Hannah Kritzman z”l

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Rafi Nave, lecturer in the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences,

on the death of his son-in-law, Colonel Roi Levy z”l

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Naomi Maori, Technion retiree, on the death of her son, Major (res.) Dan Maori z”l

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Dr. Tamar Katz Peled, teaching fellow in the Department of Humanities and Arts,

on the death of her son-in-law, Sergeant First Class Gilad Molcho z”l

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Maya Nimri, student in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of her cousin, Captain Eden Nimri z”l

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Amiram Enkave, administrative staff member in the Faculty of Education in Science and Technology,

on the death of his cousin, Eden Liz Ohion z”l

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Assistant Professor Ben Engelhard, faculty member in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,

on the death of his brother-in-law Sergeant First Class (res.) Yaacov Ozeri z”l

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Elad Tzur, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, 

on the death of his brother-in-law Major Shay Uriel Pizm z"l

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Tamar Itzhaki, student in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering,

on the death of his uncle, Major (res.) Uri Shimon Russo z”l

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Dvir Schwartz, graduate student in the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering,

on the death of his brother, Sergeant Segev Schwartz z”l

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Eyal Shachar, student in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, on the death of his brother, Amir Shachar z”l

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Prof. Yemima Ben-Menahem, visiting professor in the Department of Humanities and Arts,

on the death of her grandson, Staff Sergeant Aner Elyakim Shapiro z”l

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Associate Prof. Ayelet Shavit, faculty member in the Department of Humanities and Arts,

on the death of her son, Staff Sergeant Tal Shavit z”l

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Professor Daniel Shushan of the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning,

on the death of his nephew, Elisaf Shushan z”l

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Dr. Aliza Malek, lecturer in the Faculty of Mathematics and the Center for Promotion of Learning and Teaching,

on the death of her nephew, Eitan Refael Snir z”l

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Stav Alfasi, student in the Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering,

on the death of her cousin, Ophir Tzarfati z”l

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Eyal Waldman, Technion honorary doctorate recipient, and Ella Waldman,

on the death of their daughter, Danielle Waldman z”l

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Noam Zyser, graduate student in the Grand Technion Energy program,

on the death of her brother, Major Ilay Zyser z”l

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May their memory be a blessing.

The Technion family offers its heartfelt sympathy to the families who have lost loved ones.

If there is an error on this page, or if you would like to share additional information with us, please contact Irit Gertzwolf at evpdg.officehead@technion.ac.il

The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology will award the Harvey Prize in Science and Technology to Prof. Stephen Baylin, Prof. Peter Jones, and Prof. Andrew Feinberg for their groundbreaking work in cancer epigenetics.

Epigenetics focuses on changes in genome activity that are independent of the DNA sequence. Epigenetics explains how identical DNA sequences can produce different outcomes, with fundamental implications in diverse aspects of health and disease. One of the epigenetic processes extensively studied by this year’s Harvey Prize laureates is DNA methylation.

DNA methylation plays a role in determining which genes are silenced, and which can be switched on to produce proteins. The correct methylation markers are essential for life-long health, influencing embryonic development, cell division, cellular health, responses to environmental changes, and more. Disruptions in methylation can cause serious health problems, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, brain disorders, and autoimmune diseases.

The individual and collaborative work of the three laureates has revolutionized our understanding of the role of epigenetics in cell differentiation and function. Their work, which integrates epigenetics with discoveries related to genetic processes, has transformed outdated paradigms about cancer development and disproved the traditional notion that the disease is driven solely by genetic mutations. Therapeutics based on their discoveries on the epigenome are already saving lives and improving patients’ quality of life. This integration of basic science and applied medicine led to the decision to award the Harvey Prize in Science and Technology to Prof. Stephen Baylin, Prof. Peter Jones, and Prof. Andrew Feinberg.

About the Laureates

Prof. Stephen Baylin

Prof. Stephen Baylin, the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor for Cancer Research at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, was born in North Carolina. He completed his M.D. at Duke University, followed by research training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and postdoctoral studies at Johns Hopkins. A member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Prof. Baylin has received numerous awards, including the Shubitz Cancer Research Prize from the University of Chicago, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Kirk A. Landon Award for Basic Cancer Research, and the American Cancer Society’s Medal of Honor.

Prof. Peter A. Jones

Prof. Peter Jones, from Van Andel Institute in Michigan, was born in South Africa, raised in Zimbabwe, and completed his Ph.D. at the University of London. Currently president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute, he studies the relationships between DNA methylation, gene expression, and cell differentiation. His accolades include the American Cancer Society’s Medal of Honor, the AACR Kirk A. Landon Award for Basic Cancer Research, past presidency of the AACR, and elections to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the AACR Academy.

Prof. Andrew Feinberg

Prof. Andrew Feinberg, a research professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was born in Pennsylvania. He earned his M.D. through the accelerated medical program at Johns Hopkins and an M.P.H. in public health. He conducted postdoctoral research in developmental biology at the University of California San Diego, medical training at the University of Pennsylvania, and advanced studies in genetics at Johns Hopkins. His numerous honors include honorary doctorates from the University of Amsterdam, University of Uppsala, and Karolinska Institute, the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, a fellowship in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and membership in the U.S. National Academy of Medicine.

Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan said, “The Technion awards the Harvey Prize to researchers whose work makes a significant contribution to humanity and human welfare. The pioneering work of these three researchers has transformed the field of epigenetics, revealing its vital impact on cellular function and the onset and progression of disease, particularly cancer. Their studies have paved the way for new diagnostic approaches and accelerated the development of treatments targeting epigenetic mechanisms.”

About the Harvey Prize
The Harvey Prize, the Technion’s most prestigious award, was established in 1971 by industrialist and inventor Leo Harvey (1887–1973), a devoted friend of the Technion and the State of Israel. The prize is awarded annually for outstanding achievements in science, technology, and human health, and for significant contributions to humanity. Over the years, the prize has earned a reputation as a “Nobel predictor,” with more than 30% of recipients subsequently winning the Nobel Prize.

The prizes will be presented to the three laureates in June 2025 at a ceremony during the Technion Board of Governors meeting, marking the centenary of the Technion’s opening.

The Technion has opened a new season of its multidisciplinary series “Music, Science, and Inspiration,” founded and artistically directed by pianist Dr. Orit Wolf. These free events, open to the general public, enrich the interface between science, music, and art.

Dr. Orit Wolf. Photo: Yoel Levy

Initiated in 2022 under the auspices of the Technion President’s Fund, and with the generous support of American donor Ms. Sonia Marschak, the series was spearheaded by Dr. Wolf, a member of the inaugural cohort of the “Artist in Residence” program launched by Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan. This series’ vision is to create a platform for dialogue and inspiration among scientists, engineers, artists, and musicians. Since its inception, dozens of scientists, engineers, Nobel laureates, and international artists have participated.

The first of its kind in Israel, the series brings together scientists, academic and administrative staff, students, alumni, and the general public. Each meeting is dedicated to a different theme shared by multiple disciplines, blending music, science, and technology, with participation from Technion researchers and guest artists.

According to Dr. Wolf, “The connection between science and art is not just ‘possible’ but ‘essential.’ These seemingly distinct fields share much in common. The interdisciplinary meetings at the Technion expose artists, scientists, engineers, and the wider audience to new content, inspiring creativity and operational innovation in both art and science.”

The first event of this season will take place on Wednesday, December 11, focusing on the power of emptiness and space. It will explore the concept of void across physics (the creation of the universe), biology, landscape architecture, sculpture, and music. Dr. Wolf will host Prof. Hagai Perets from the Faculty of Physics, Prof. Tal Alon-Mozes from the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Prof. Dori Derdikman from the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, art lecturer Dr. Gilit Ivgi, internationally acclaimed violinist Michael Shaham, and composer Noam Yaakoby, a Technion student in mathematics and computer science.

The event will take place in the Heller Student Union Cinema, starting at 3PM and lasting approximately 90 minutes without intermission. Admission is free but requires prior registration.

For details and registration, click here

Researchers from the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering at the Technion have created a groundbreaking method for producing protein-based microgel particles. This achievement, led by Dr. Luai Khoury and M.Sc. student Tina Khirallah was recently published in Advanced Materials.

Dr. Luai Khoury and MSc student Tina Khariallah

The method developed by the Technion researchers offers numerous advantages, including efficiency, speed, simplicity of production, and the ability to work with nanoscale materials such as proteins and biological molecules. These features make it a cost-effective alternative to existing methods, with the potential to revolutionize fields like pharmaceuticals, biosensors, food, tissue engineering, and environmental science.

Microgels, part of the “soft materials” family, have generated significant interest in diverse fields, including biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, environmental engineering, and culinary science. However, current techniques for their production face significant challenges, such as controlling particle size, scaling up production for large quantities, requiring advanced equipment, adapting to biological materials, and meeting market demands for competitive pricing.

The research team developed a simple and efficient method for producing microgel particles. According to the researchers, “Our method was inspired by processes such as espresso preparation and oil extraction, which rely on creating emulsions (mixtures of two immiscible phases) within a three-dimensional porous structure.”

a) Illustration of the new system developed for producing microgels via an emulsification process within a porous medium. b) A fluorescent microscope image of protein-based microgels produced using the system. This image demonstrates the uniformity of the protein and the preservation of its structure

In their published study, the researchers demonstrated how particle uniformity and size could be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the two phases within the porous medium and by varying their ratio. They focused on producing functional protein-based particles while preserving the required protein structure. Furthermore, the particles responded to various external stimuli. These particles can also act as biological sensors, detecting hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) molecules at different concentrations. These molecules can damage DNA, harm other cellular structures, and even lead to cell death, highlighting the importance of their detection.

For the full paper click here

A new course that will train students in social-technological entrepreneurship with an emphasis on solutions for people with disabilities has started at the Technion. Disability Breakthrough Technology is open to all Technion students, as well as students studying physiotherapy at the University of Haifa. It will include visits to the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital and the Rehabilitation Hospital at Sheba Medical Center. Course topics will include accessibility, psychology of people with disabilities, aspects of design, and background in biomedical engineering, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.

Dr. Yacov Malinovich

According to Dr. Yacov Malinovich, who leads the course, “In recent years, awareness of the needs of disabled people has increased, and this has become even more important in light of the ongoing war. Some of the solutions lie in the development of suitable technologies for rehabilitation, and this is an opportunity for students and engineers to contribute significantly and directly to people’s well-being. Israel has extensive knowledge in this field, with many examples – unique wheelchairs, emergency bracelets, special surfboards, and more.”

Example of an assistive device

Dr. Malinovich is one of the founders of Haifa3D (www.haifa3d.org). Haifa 3D is a volunteer organization that designs and manufactures assistive devices for children and adults with upper limb disabilities, including “robotic” hands for children and many other devices tailored to the requests of those with disabilities. The organization has a long-term collaboration with the Biorobotics and Biomechanics Lab (BRML) in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and other faculties at the Technion.

“The new course will be conducted from an interdisciplinary approach and will feature guests from various academic and rehabilitation institutions,” said Dr. Maliovich. “Through our connection with rehabilitation institutions and people with disabilities, we aim to develop relevant technological solutions that will truly assist those in need. At the end of the course, each student team will submit their product as a final project.”

The course will be held at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with t:hub – the Technion Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Haifa, and the Technion Social Incubator. It is an annual course worth six academic credits.

Professor Dan Garber from the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences has been awarded the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant by the European Research Council (ERC). These grants of approximately €2 million per researcher support pioneering R&D efforts. They are awarded to select researchers who have groundbreaking ideas, during the formative stages of their research teams and work plans.

Prof. Dan Garber. Photo: Michal Cohen

Prof. Garber completed all his academic degrees at the Technion – a B.Sc. in electrical and computer engineering, an M.Sc. in computer science, and a Ph.D. in data and decision sciences. After earning his doctorate, he pursued postdoctoral research at Toyota Technological Institute in Chicago. He returned to the Technion as a faculty member in 2017.

Prof. Garber specializes in continuous optimization, a field bridging mathematics and computer science. “In my research group, we develop innovative and efficient algorithms for solving fundamental problems with applications in fields such as statistics and machine learning,” he explained. “Continuous optimization is a critical tool in many areas, including training neural networks in deep learning, with significant impacts across science and engineering.”

The ERC Consolidator Grant will support Prof. Garber’s ProFreeOpt project, which aims to address profound questions related to developing a new generation of highly efficient algorithms for solving a wide range of high-dimensional continuous optimization problems.

The faculties with the highest numbers of undergraduate students are those focused on high-tech fields.

The 2024-25 academic year at the Technion opened amidst recent rocket and missile fire over the Haifa area and the escalation of conflict in the north. The start of the year was postponed by one week to November 10, 2024, with the semester consisting of 12 weeks of instruction. Orientation days for new students were held at the faculties and followed Home Front Command guidelines for the Haifa area.

This year, approximately 3,100 new students joined the Technion: 2,100 in undergraduate programs, with 48% of them being women, and around 1,000 in graduate programs. Despite the war, these numbers are similar to last year’s enrollment and show an improvement from the 2023-24 academic year. The faculties with the highest numbers of new undergraduate students are those focused on high-tech disciplines – the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science, and the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences.

Approximately 15,000 students are studying at the Technion this academic year. Among the general undergraduate student population, 45% are women and 55% are men. There are approximately 4,700 students in graduate programs, with more than 40% being women. These numbers include 203 students studying at the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech in New York.

More than 1,000 students, many in their third round of combat service, are on reserve duty as the semester begins. The dropout rate did not increase last year, and reserve students maintained high-grade averages despite many absences, thanks to the extensive support provided by the Technion that included a wide range of academic solutions, tutoring, personalized mentoring, emotional support, and financial assistance.

Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan stated, “The war has reached the Haifa campuses. The Technion family has suffered painful losses, with students and alumni who have fallen or been murdered. Amidst the pain, we will continue to act as we always have; we will not retreat from our mission. Our 101st year started on campuses, in classrooms, and in research labs, with awareness of the threats and adherence to Home Front Command guidelines but with the clear knowledge that this is the right thing to do. This has been our response in the face of challenging crises for over a century, this is our response to the October 7 massacre, and this is our response to the war that has followed. We will continue to develop the Technion, establish research centers, and conduct groundbreaking research. We will keep training the next generation of scientists, engineers, doctors, educators, and architects who will ensure the future of the State of Israel. This year is challenging for all students, administrative staff, and faculty, especially for the reservists among them, and we will do everything we can to ease their burden.”

Dean of Undergraduate Studies Prof. Hossam Haick, added, “This is a complex and challenging time, overshadowed by ongoing war. These are undoubtedly difficult times, but our commitment to the students only grows stronger. Technion registration has not declined, it has increased compared to previous years. The Technion is here to provide students with the tools and knowledge they need to face challenges, and to support them on every step of their academic journey. We promise that your investment here will be rewarded with a rich and meaningful educational experience.”

Dean of Students Prof. Ayelet Fishman, said, “Many of our students are currently in reserve service, and I send them support and encouragement. As we did last year, we will do everything possible to help them reintegrate into their studies upon their return from reserve duty. The Dean of Students, the Student Counseling and Support Center, the Financial Assistance Unit, and the campus psychological services are here to help with any issues. I invite students to utilize these resources.”

Recently, 900 students received their master’s degrees from various Technion faculties, more than 43% of them women. A ceremony honoring 38 master’s graduates who completed their studies with the highest honors was held in the presence of Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, Dean of the Graduate School Prof. Uri Peskin, Technion management, faculty deans, students, and their families.

The graduates who completed their studies with the highest honors, with Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan and Dean of the Graduate School Prof. Uri Peskin

“This evening is one of light and hope during a difficult and complex time,” said Prof. Sivan during the ceremony. “In the past year, we have been in a prolonged and painful war for our continued existence in this land. About 3,500 students and members of the administrative and academic staff were called up for reserve duty. Most of them have returned to their studies, but additional orders await them. Alongside all Israeli citizens, we mourn the fallen and the murdered and hope for the return of the hostages and the recovery of the wounded—many of whom are part of the Technion family.”

Prof. Sivan further addressed the graduates, saying: “At the Technion, you received the best professional tools to continue to excel and stand out in whatever you do, but we also expect you to excel and lead on a moral level. We see you as leaders with ethical and social awareness, who understand that your careers are not just meant to enrich your lives but also to make a positive impact on humanity and Israeli society.”

Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan at the ceremony

Dean of the Graduate School Prof. Uri Peskin said, “At this time, we are all worried and anxious about the near and distant future. Despite this, and without ignoring the extreme and unique circumstances under the shadow of war, this evening provides us with an opportunity to focus on what we have and what is good. We have much to be proud of and much to be thankful for. 58% of the graduates completed a degree with a research thesis, and it’s noteworthy that among those graduating with a thesis, women are the majority—55%. All graduates were ranked based on their academic and research achievements, with the top 15% being defined as outstanding, and you, those who graduated with the highest honors, ranked in the top 4%. I want to thank each and every one of you, firstly, for choosing the Technion as the foundation for building your professional careers, and secondly, for doing it so well. I hope that your experience at the Technion has become an integral part of you and that you will serve as ambassadors of the Technion wherever you go.”

Graduate Bar Dolinsky with Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan and Dean of the Graduate School Prof. Uri Peskin

Among those who received a master’s degree was the family of the late Master Sergeant Dovi Kogan. An MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering was awarded to Dovi’s widow, Shaked, his son, and his mother, Chaya, in a ceremony held at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Master Sergeant Dovi Kogan, who was deployed to the south on October 7 and fought with his team in Be’eri and Re’im, fell on November 9, 2023, in a battle in the Gaza Strip. He was a master’s student, nearing the end of his studies in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. After his death, his supervisor, Prof. Shmuel Osovski, and the faculty dean, Prof. Alon Wolf, initiated the completion of his final thesis.

Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Prof. Alon Wolf and Prof. Shmuel Osovski presenting the MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering to Shaked, the widow of the late Chief Sergeant Dovi Kogan, his son, and his mother Chaya at the ceremony. (Photo credit: Dor Aharon)

Prof. Wolf noted, “I want to emphasize that the degree was awarded to Dovi not as a gesture, but because he truly earned it. Dovi left behind extensive notes, and in fact, his thesis was almost entirely written. We only had to finalize some ‘connections’ and do some editing. The edited thesis underwent a full review by three independent examiners, who unanimously gave it a high grade. One of them even remarked to me that there are discoveries in the thesis worthy of publication in a leading journal in the field. The thesis then received the approval of the Graduate School’s Degree Committee and the Technion Senate. At the ceremony, I presented the degree to Dovi’s widow, Shaked, his son, and his mother, Chaya, with great respect and appreciation for Dovi’s service in defending the state and his significant dedication to his studies, which were tragically cut short by his untimely death.”

According to Prof. Osovski, who supervised Dovi’s research, “Dovi was a brilliant engineer and an exceptional person. His character and spirit left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. In our many discussions, both professional and personal, Dovi demonstrated a rare combination of patience, deep thinking, and creativity. He had an extraordinary talent for resonating ideas in a way that ensured mutual understanding and often helped me refine my thoughts and notice details I had overlooked. This talent was a testament both to his intellectual abilities and his sincere care for others and desire to understand their perspectives, whether in professional or personal conversations. As an engineer, Dovi was remarkably talented and creative. He approached every problem with a positive attitude, viewing complexities not as obstacles but as fascinating challenges. His ability to tackle complex issues while finding ways to simplify them was truly impressive. His work on this project exemplified these qualities and made a significant contribution to the research. Beyond his professional contributions, Dovi inspired me to grow as a person. His unwavering determination, self-reflection, and deep commitment to unity were a source of inspiration. Dovi always emphasized the importance of seeing others, finding common ground, and demonstrating mutual respect instead of focusing on differences. Dovi showed me how to face challenges with grace and strive for continuous personal growth. The patience and kindness he displayed in every interaction serve as an example I aspire to follow. I hope for myself and for all of us to be worthy of his sacrifice and to honor his memory by striving to be better people, as Dovi was.”

On Wednesday, September 4, a festive ceremony was held at the Technion to award doctoral degrees to 258 new doctors from 12 countries. 47% of the recipients are women. The youngest recipient is 25 years old, and the oldest is 68. The ceremony, held at the Kellner Amphitheater, was attended by Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, Senior Vice President Prof. Oded Rabinovitch, Dean of the Jacobs Graduate School Prof. Uri Peskin, deans of faculties, faculty members, and the families of the degree recipients. The ceremony was hosted by Prof. Irad Yavneh from the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science.

From right to left: Dean of the Jacobs Graduate School Prof. Uri Peskin, Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, and the ceremony host Prof. Irad Yavneh from the Taub Faculty of Computer Science

In addressing the recipients, President Sivan said: “This evening, it is important to acknowledge not only your academic achievements but also the values that guided you and us on this journey – the pursuit of excellence, equality, tolerance, and inclusivity, the moderating role of the Technion, which unites all who come through its doors, and the social mobility that the Technion offers its graduates.

“Today, as you receive your PhD, the next phase of your life journey begins, a journey in which every breakthrough, every innovative idea, holds the potential to change lives, address global challenges, and pave the way for a better future. Remember, with your capabilities comes great responsibility. Remember that the professional dilemmas you will face will always have social, environmental, and ethical contexts, and it is your responsibility to ensure that these are taken into account. Go forth and succeed – and do good.”

Prof. Uri Sivan speaking at the ceremony

The faculty with the most graduates is the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, with 44 new doctors, followed by the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering (23) and the Taub Faculty of Computer Science (22). The dissertations of the 258 new doctors cover a wide range of topics, including smart concrete structures, tissue engineering, deep neural networks, the psychosomatic mechanism, blockchain technology, planetary dynamics, co-working spaces, the barn owl’s navigation system, ways to improve teaching, stress-monitoring patches, and many more diverse subjects.

The new doctors

Dean of the Jacobs Graduate School, Prof. Uri Peskin, first addressed the international students who received their doctoral degrees and said, “I am very happy to congratulate you, your families, and your friends on receiving your degrees. This cohort at the Technion has been blessed with 31 international students who came from India, the United States, China, Russia, Germany, Spain, Austria, Albania, Brazil, South Korea, and Costa Rica. We are very proud of you. The trust you placed in us and your support, during these difficult times, are not taken for granted. Your standing by our side strengthens us, and we greatly appreciate it. I hope we have provided you with the appropriate training and the tools you need to create the future you seek for yourselves.” He continued in Hebrew and said, “At this time, we are all in pain in one way or another—whether directly or indirectly affected by the war and its horrors. We are worried and anxious about the near and distant future. Despite this, and without ignoring the extreme situation, tonight we will focus on what we have and what is good. Because despite everything, we have much to be proud of, and we also have much to be grateful for.

“I want to thank each and every one of you. The work you put in, your results and publications, and the conferences and workshops you participated in, are now an integral part of the Technion’s achievements and legacy. The excellence of the Technion, which is ranked among the world’s best, is built on your excellence, our research students, and we are what we are thanks to you. For that, thank you very much!” Prof. Peskin also thanked the academic committees at the Technion’s units and faculties, the coordinators of graduate degrees, the deans and vice deans, and the professional staff of the Jacobs Graduate School.

Prof. Yael Yaniv’s PhD group from the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering

Eight of the students who received their degrees at the ceremony worked on their theses under the supervision of Prof. Yael Yaniv from the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering. They are: Dr. Ido Weiser Bitoun, currently an intern in internal medicine at the Rambam Health Care Campus, who spoke on behalf of the graduates; Dr. Sofia Segal, a senior R&D team leader and head of biomedical engineering at EFA Technologies; Dr. Vadim Galiner, head of R&D at Biosense Webster; Dr. Aviv Abraham Rosenberg, a scientist and senior engineer at startup company Sibylla; Dr. Limor Arbel Ganon, a research and algorithms engineer at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; Dr. Moran Davoodi, an algorithm developer; Dr. Savyon Samia, a senior researcher at Novocure; and Dr. Noam Keidar, a postdoctoral researcher at the Taub Faculty of Computer Science, who recently received a doctorate in medicine.

Dr. Ido Weiser Bitoun spoke on behalf of all the new doctors and shared, “Twenty-nine years ago, when I was five years old, I attended the doctoral diploma ceremony here at the Technion and witnessed my mother, Dr. Rivka Weiser Bitoun, receiving her doctoral diploma from her supervisor, Prof. Yitzhak Apeloig, then dean of the Faculty of Chemistry and later president of the Technion. It was a great privilege for me to study at the Technion, continue my mother’s path in research and teaching, and receive my doctoral diploma today. To the five-year-old I was at that ceremony, I say: ‘Dream, work hard, and with God’s help, you will achieve.’”