Plant Power

The American Committee’s Florida Region held a webinar featuring Prof. Asaph Aharoni, Head of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. The event was multigenerational, including both longtime Weizmann supporters as well as younger professionals who are part of the American Committe

e’s NextGen Initiative. National Board member Marla Schaefer—who was introduced to the Institute by her late parents, Sylvia and Rowland Schaefer—hosted the event, along with her husband, Steven Weishoff, and their daughters, Nicole Weishoff and Danielle Weishoff McCormick.

Prof. Aharoni took participants on a virtual tour of his lab and gave an overview of his pioneering plant research. He then took part in a conversation led by American Committee CEO Dave Doneson. Attendees actively participated in the Q&A. During the wide-ranging discussion, Prof. Aharoni highlighted his efforts to fight world hunger and malnutrition, investigate the use of cannabis for biomedicine, develop sustainable energy sources, and much more. He also noted the remarkable freedom, world-class infrastructure, and multidisciplinary atmosphere that make Weizmann an ideal place to pursue his cutting-edge work. Participants enjoyed learning about the power of plants to heal and nourish our world.