From discovery to distinction

By Stacey Sheehan and Noga Martin

Weizmann scientists—from young researchers launching their own labs to seasoned faculty with decades of breakthrough discoveries to their name—continue to earn accolades both in Israel and on the global stage.

CRYPTO PIONEER

The 2024 Wolf Prize in Mathematics has been awarded to Prof. Adi Shamir for his fundamental work in mathematical cryptography. He shares the prestigious award with his colleague Prof. Noga Alon at Princeton University, who were cited for their “pioneering contributions to mathematical cryptography, combinatorics, and the theory of computer science.”

Prof. Shamir has been a faculty member of the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics since 1980. He was an early leader in computer security and a co-inventor of the RSA public key cryptosystem, recognized worldwide as a pillar of secure online communication, e-commerce, and confidential data in transactions. RSA cryptography has been studied at length by mathematicians, companies, governments, and intelligence agencies.

Other inventions of his include Shamir’s Secret Sharing scheme, an algorithm that transforms secret content into sets of random numbers, requiring a specific combination to reconstruct the original secret. Prof. Shamir’s trailblazing work also includes collaborations with peers to advance identification and signature methods; encrypting television broadcasts, making it possible to limit certain transmissions to paying subscribers; and exposing vulnerabilities in encryption systems.

His many honors include the Turing Award (2002), the Israel Prize (2008) and the Japan Prize (2017).

OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD FINDINGS

Prof. Yohai Kaspi from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences has been honored with the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal (ESAM) for his contributions to the Juno mission to Jupiter. Established in 1961, this award recognizes individuals whose scientific endeavors significantly advance our understanding of the cosmos.

A physicist who studies planetary atmospheres, Prof. Kaspi is a co-investigator on the Juno mission―a NASA-launched space probe that reached Jupiter in 2016 to investigate the planet’s origins, structure, and atmospheric characteristics. The Juno probe has generated findings that provide insight into how planetary systems form and develop in our Solar System and beyond.

Among his Juno-related findings, Prof. Kaspi used gravitational measurements to determine, for the first time, the depth of Jupiter’s atmosphere. He also developed a mathematical method for predicting the location and behavior of powerful cyclones at the planet’s North Pole and South Pole, a prediction that the probe’s data later confirmed. In addition, Prof. Kaspi’s studies have shed light on atmospheric dynamics closer to home, improving scientists’ ability to predict how climate change may affect the motion of storms across the Earth’s surface.

Prof. Kaspi says he is honored to be awarded the NASA ESAM prize. “I began my involvement with Juno back in 2008, while still a postdoc [at Caltech]. In later years, my group at the Weizmann Institute developed new methods for analyzing the data and made predictions for what we may measure when Juno arrives at Jupiter. It was then very exciting to finally receive the first data in 2017, which confirmed several of our theoretical predictions. Since, we’ve been on a continuous journey, discovering many fundamental properties about the dynamics and interior of Jupiter and this prize culminates all those discoveries,” he adds.

Another commendation for research on the cosmos went to Prof. Avishay Gal-Yam from the Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics, who was awarded the 2023 Weizmann Prize for Exact Sciences from the Tel Aviv- Yafo Municipality. Established in 1944 to mark the 70th birthday of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the Weizmann Prize recognizes two scientists every two years for exceptional research in the exact sciences.

Prof. Gal-Yam’s work focuses on identifying the stars responsible for spectacular stellar explosions known as supernovae. These investigations provide vital clues for understanding the origins of our universe’s chemical elements and address fundamental cosmological questions about the universe’s origin and fate. Prof. Gal- Yam and his team have reported the discovery of several new types of supernova explosions.

“It is especially significant for me to be honored by the city of Tel Aviv, where I lived and studied during the formative years during which I became a physicist and realized my passion for the study of the cosmos through astrophysics,” he says.

In research closer to home, Dr. Einat Segev from the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences has been named an EMBO Young Investigator. The European Molecular Biology Organization’s Young Investigator program helps life scientists who have an excellent track record and have been group leaders for less than four years at the time of application set up their laboratories, as well as offering training and mentoring programs.

Dr. Segev’s research combines microbiology and Earth sciences to study bacteria in marine ecosystems and their role in the environment and illuminate microbial processes that impact biogeochemical cycles.

Her work demonstrates the importance of studying microorganisms within their environmental context. Her studies have revealed bacterial communication with algal partners through various chemical signals, forming diverse “microbial languages” that facilitate interactions with hosts, including plants and humans. Dr. Segev’s research has also uncovered how bacteria accelerate growth in response to these signals. These findings offer exciting prospects for agriculture and human health, where manipulation of bacterial growth based on this understanding can be applied.

This past year, Dr. Segev was also awarded both the Starting Grant and Proof of Concept Grant from the European Research Council (ERC), the European Union’s most prominent scientific funding organization.

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT

Prof. Rotem Sorek from the Department of Molecular Genetics has been honored with the 2023 Max Planck Institute Humboldt Research Award for his contributions to the field of microbiology.

The Humboldt Research Award is bestowed by the Max Planck Society in Germany to acknowledge accomplished foreign researchers and foster international scientific collaboration.

Driven by curiosity to comprehend bacterial defenses against viruses, Prof. Sorek researches the intricate mechanisms underpinning bacterial immunity. His investigations have revealed ancient evolutionary origins of components within the human immune system that are intricately intertwined with the protective strategies encoded by bacteria. Pioneering the field of “sociovirology,” he has illuminated the social dynamics of viruses, uncovering their sophisticated communication systems.

Prof. Sorek’s work, which also earned him this year’s Rothschild Prize for Life Sciences (further detailed below), has had a transformational impact on our understanding of microbiology and led to practical applications in biotechnology, with potential implications for human health and beyond.

“I am honored to receive these prestigious awards, which acknowledge our contributions to fundamental understanding of antiviral immunity,” Prof. Sorek says.

Prof. Emeritus Zelig Eshhar of the Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology has been granted the Canada Gairdner International Award for 2024 alongside Dr. Michel Sadelain from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, the Gairdner Foundation announced in April. Prof. Eshhar and Dr. Sadelain are honored for their “seminal contributions to the conception, development and application of CD19-CAR T cell therapy for cancer.”

The Canada Gairdner Award celebrates the world’s best biomedical and global health researchers, honoring outstanding scientists who have made valuable contributions resulting in an increased understanding of human biology and disease.

Prof. Eshhar focuses on molecular recognition in the immune system. He invented a unique approach which involves genetic modifications of T-lymphocytes to produce a specific cell—called a T-body (or CAR T-cell)—that can be used to fight cancer. These genetically engineered T-cells have been shown to effectively kill human tumor cells. In 2011, researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the University of Pennsylvania successfully treated patients with CAR T-cells/T-bodies—that is, they used genetically engineered versions of the patients’ own T-cells.

His groundbreaking research into CAR T-cell engineering has paved the way for the future of cellular immunotherapy to treat cancer. In contrast to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy or immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, CAR T-cell therapy for hematology diseases can induce durable and complete responses after a single treatment course. CAR T-cell products have been approved for the treatment of cancers including large B-cell lymphoma, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma.

Prof. Eshhar said he receives the Canada Gairdner Award “with great gratitude and honor, alongside my respected partner, Dr. Sadelain.”

“Our long and interesting road together led to breakthrough technology that allows patients [whose conditions] did not have cures to receive treatment and remedy. For this I am extremely proud, because every researcher’s aim is to find aid for those in need,” he says.

Prof. Eshhar’s pioneering work also earned him the Warren Alpert Foundation Prize in partnership with Harvard Medical School. The prize, awarded in June 2024, recognized his contributions to the field of CAR T-cell cancer therapy, alongside his colleagues Dr. Sadelain, Dr. Renier Brentjens of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York, and Dr. Carl H. June of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

The award was established in 1987 by the late philanthropist and businessman Warren Alpert and the Warren Alpert Foundation. Since its inception, 10 winners have gone on to win Nobel Prizes.

Prof. Yifat Merbl of the Department of Systems Immunology has been awarded the 2024 Rappaport Prize for Excellence in Biomedical Research.

Combining biochemistry, proteomics, and immunology, Prof. Merbl studies the control mechanisms that ensure the fidelity of proteins—the molecules that control the structure and function of living cells. Her lab aims to bridge the gap between studying the regulation of post-translational modifications that can cause errors in cellular protein and defining the control mechanisms responsible for targeting proteins to degradation.

As the ability to study these processes in cells are hampered by the lack of analytical tools, the Merbl lab has developed several technologies to address this challenge. For example, her group created a system that allows, for the first time, the contents of cellular “garbage cans” to be examined. Called Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Proteolytic Peptides, or MAPP, this system provides a comprehensive “read out” of proteins that are in the process of being broken down in cells and tissues, thus providing a novel window on underlying disease-related mechanisms, as well as potential paths toward improved diagnosis and treatment.

The MAPP technology has allowed Prof. Merbl to achieve important insights into autoimmune diseases (such as lupus) and cancer. Her team is now working to harness the technology to develop cancer therapies.

Given by the Haifa-based Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Foundation, the Rappaport Prize for Excellence in Biomedical Research is awarded to scientists for innovative studies that could potentially improve the health of humanity as a whole.

Prof. Merbl says it is “a great honor to receive the Rappaport Prize, which reflects the amazing dedication and talents of the team,” and calls the award a “milestone.”

“It supports our vision of making discoveries in basic research and translating them into novel solutions to impact human health,” she adds.

Dr. Yoav Livneh of the Department of Brain Sciences has been awarded the 2024 Krill Prize for Excellence in Scientific Research from the Wolf Foundation, which is devoted to promoting and celebrating exceptional achievements in the sciences and the arts.

Dr. Livneh is recognized for his significant contributions to the understanding of the cellular mechanisms and neural circuits responsible for the activity of the insula, a small part of the cerebral cortex about which relatively little is known. He studies the insula’s involvement in brain-body interactions, which informs our understanding of how damage to these mechanisms might affect the development of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

The Livneh group also uses advanced imaging and optogenetic tools to shed light on the cellular mechanisms and neural circuits that underlie interoception, the process by which the brain perceives and integrates diverse bodily signals like heart rate, temperature, satiety, inflammation, or fatigue. They are working to gain insights into how negative environmental factors in early life can contribute to the brain’s ability to control mental health in adulthood.

The Wolf Foundation awards the Krill Prize to 10 Israeli scientists per year. Awardees are selected for their breakthrough research in the exact sciences, life sciences, medicine, engineering, and agriculture. The prize was established in 2005 in memory of the late Avraham Krill, who was an active member of the German Jewish expatriate community in South America and an ardent supporter of the State of Israel.

“I am honored to be part of such an amazing group of Israeli scientists. I hope our discoveries will continue to advance Israeli academia,” Dr. Livneh says.

MATERIAL APPLICATIONS

Prof. Emeritus Reshef Tenne from the Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science has won the 2023 Von Hippel Award, the highest honor from the Materials Research Society, an organization of international researchers that promotes communication for the advancement of interdisciplinary materials research and technology to improve quality of life.

Among Prof. Tenne’s numerous achievements, his most notable is the discovery of nanotubes and fullerene-like nanoparticles from layered compounds (2D-materials), with tungsten disulfide being the first in a long series of such nanostructures that were synthesized and studied in his lab. This discovery spearheaded modern research on nano 2D materials, which is one of the most actively studied groups of materials with promising potential applications in many fields, including electronics, electro-optics, and biomedical technologies.

The Von Hippel Award is named after the German scientist Arthur R. von Hippel, an early advocate of the interdisciplinary approach to materials research. This honor underscores Prof. Tenne’s substantial contributions to materials science, shaping our understanding of nanomaterials and their practical applications and fostering progress in the field.

Dr. Elena Meirzadeh of the Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science has been named the 2024 winner of the Peter and Patricia Gruber Award, conferred by the Gruber Foundation and the Weizmann Institute.

The Gruber Awards, established by longtime Weizmann supporters Peter and Patricia Gruber, provides vital funding for talented new scientists embarking on research careers at the Weizmann Institute. The President of the Institute selects each awardee based on recommendations from a faculty committee.

Dr. Meirzadeh completed both her MSc and PhD at the Weizmann Institute and returned as a principal investigator in August 2023. She probes the characteristics of a new form of carbon named graphullerene and develops new synthetic techniques for making high-quality materials for next generation technologies, building on her groundbreaking discoveries as a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University.

“Weizmann has been my home since I started my master’s degree here more than a decade ago,” Dr. Meirzadeh says. “It’s wonderful to be back as a young scientist. I am honored to receive this award. It’s a huge boost of encouragement!”

OUTSTANDING DISCOVERIES

Established by Yad Hanadiv in 1959, the Rothschild Prizes are intended to promote science and humanities research in Israel and are awarded in recognition of outstanding discoveries in the natural, theoretical, and social sciences. A committee chaired by Israel Prize laureate Prof. Joseph Klafter selected the 2024 winners, which included three Weizmann scientists.

The Rothschild Prize for Environmental Science went to Prof. Ron Milo from the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences for his contributions to sustainability research.

Prof. Milo’s investigative endeavors are guided by a mission to decode the complexities of energy and carbon transformations to foster sustainability in an ever-changing world. Employing a unique blend of computational and experimental synthetic biology tools, his research on carbon fixation and photosynthesis has yielded invaluable insights into enhancing food and fuel production efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

The Rothschild Prize recognizes Prof. Milo’s individual achievements and highlights how his pioneering work has inspired researchers worldwide to address pressing environmental challenges with creativity and dedication.

Prof. Milo: “I am honored by this recognition and hope it will help propel more work on the critical subject of environmental science in Israel in general and Weizmann in particular. It is my deep passion and commitment also for years to come and I feel blessed to be working with such talented students that joined me in the studies for which the prize is given.”

Prof. Moni Naor from the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics has been honored with the Rothschild Prize for Computer Science for his transformative contributions to the field.

The prize celebrates exceptional scientific achievements by Israeli researchers, driving forward the frontiers of computer science within the country. Prof. Naor’s pioneering work exemplifies the spirit of this award, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and innovation in the digital realm.

Prof. Naor’s research has profoundly impacted the core principles of cryptography and computational complexity theory, forming the foundation for modern digital security practices. His contributions, including “Non-malleable Cryptography” which ensures the integrity of encrypted data by guaranteeing that attackers cannot alter information within encrypted messages and “Untraceable Electronic Cash” which aims to create anonymous and untraceable digital cash transactions, have revolutionized secure digital transactions, and laid the groundwork for mitigating spam and safeguarding user privacy in the digital world.

His insights have provided critical solutions to pressing challenges and ensured the integrity of digital systems, while his unwavering commitment to excellence and relentless pursuit of knowledge have earned him international acclaim.

Prof. Naor’s receipt of the Rothschild Prize for Computer Science underscores not only his individual achievements but also the collective impact of his research on shaping the future of computer science and digital security.

Prof. Rotem Sorek was honored with this year’s Rothschild Prize for Life Sciences for his cutting-edge research in virology. His work is detailed above under the 2023 Humboldt Research Award, presented to Prof. Sorek for his contributions in microbiology.

TOP-NOTCH CONTRIBUTIONS

For the last 24 years, Mifal HaPais-Israel National Lottery has awarded the celebrated Landau Prize for Arts and Sciences— named after lottery founder Michael Landau—to four researchers and four artists who have made significant contributions to science and culture.

This year, the Landau Prize for Computer Science was awarded to Prof. Yonina Eldar from the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics and the Landau Prize for Life Sciences went to Prof. Yitzhak Pilpel from the Department of Molecular Genetics.

Prof. Eldar’s development of revolutionary algorithms for signal processing has led to new advancements in medical imaging, data storage, communications, and computational biology.

Her innovative methodologies have yielded breakthroughs in efficient sampling schemes, super-resolution microscopy, and optimized MRI scans. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of medical imaging techniques, Prof. Eldar’s research contributes to early disease detection and diagnosis, enhancing healthcare outcomes and helping save lives.

Her work in data storage and communications also has implications for information security and privacy. By developing more robust and secure communication systems, this work helps protect digital infrastructure from cybersecurity threats that could lead to breaches of sensitive information.

Prof. Pilpel is recognized by Mifal HaPais for his groundbreaking contributions in systems biology, genomics, and evolution. The Pilpel lab applies computational tools and theoretical models to explore the intricate workings of biological processes and decipher genetic networks and evolutionary mechanisms. This interdisciplinary approach, which integrates computational biology with experimental methodologies, has led to profound insights into genetic circuits, cellular information processing, and evolutionary dynamics.

By elucidating the complexities of biological systems, Prof. Pilpel’s work paves the way for innovative approaches to addressing critical challenges in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental conservation. His research has had a profound impact on the trajectory of biological research and its applications.

THE NEW TRAILBLAZERS

The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists were established in 2007 by the Blavatnik Family Foundation in the United States to identify and encourage promising young scientists early in their careers. Ten years after the program’s inception, the awards were expanded to Israel, with prizes conferred on one outstanding researcher per year in each of the following fields: life sciences, chemistry, and physical sciences and engineering (including computer science).

This year all three winners of the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in Israel are from the Weizmann Institute: Dr. Moran Shalev-Benami from the Department of Chemical and Structural Biology; Prof. Schraga Schwartz from the Department of Molecular Genetics; and Prof. Thomas Vidick from the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. 

Dr. Shalev-Benami studies three-dimensional imaging of cell surface protein machineries. By using an electron microscope to visualize the 3D architecture of proteins, she aims to decode the functions of these protein machineries and their implications in various diseases.

Her work broadens our understanding of conditions such as genetic obesity and schizophrenia and shows promise for developing targeted therapies.

Prof. Schwartz investigates the intricate world of RNA—the essential molecules that translate our genetic code into functional proteins. His primary focus is on understanding RNA modifications, which exert significant control over genetic instructions within our cells.

The global impact of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines during the coronavirus pandemic provides a strong example of the potential of RNA modifications. Prof. Schwartz is at the forefront of developing new methods to analyze and manipulate RNA changes, aiming to uncover how and why RNA modifications are installed naturally and to leverage such insights toward the development of improved RNA-based therapeutics.

“I am deeply honored to be the recipient of this award, and grateful to all my students, post-docs, co-workers, and collaborators, past and present, who brought about the achievements that are being celebrated,” he says.

Prof. Vidick, an expert in quantum complexity and cryptography, explores how quantum principles can enhance and improve computers and their systems, and sheds light on the potential of quantum computing, its limitations, and its role in bolstering digital security. His seminal contributions in these fields have expanded our understanding and revealed the transformative potential of quantum technologies in information technology.

“In my research, I have been lucky to stumble upon deep questions at the interface of computer science, mathematics, and physics. I am grateful to my many collaborators for accompanying me on the journey to resolve some of these questions. Together, our insights and hard work have opened a never-ending maze of wonders that will never cease to fascinate me. I thank the Blavatnik Foundation for this award, which empowers me to continue working on problems of fundamental importance,” Prof. Vidick says.