PhD in Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Insitute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
I started my undergraduate studies in Biology at The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel as part of the Amirim program, where I conducted scientific experiments for the first time. I worked for two years on topics related to nutrition, fatty liver and diabetes. I then joined Prof. Maya Schuldiner's laboratory at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, for my direct-track PhD studies. My research focused on cellular biology. I had the opportunity to mentor master students in the lab, as well as becoming involved in community engagement and volunteering activities. Shortly after starting my PhD, I was awarded the Azrieli PhD Fellowship.
When I completed my PhD studies in March 2020, my work was awarded The Haim Holtzman Memorial Prize for academic excellence and scientific accomplishments.
As part of my postdoctoral research, I am studying tuberculosis (TB), a disease that has affected mankind since ancient times and continues to be a major killer today with nearly 2 million deaths worldwide. It is caused by a bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which has evolved and adapted to interact with our cells in order to maintain its survival and spread. Once they enter our body, Mtb are engulfed by our immune cells, especially macrophages, where they reside for most of their lifecycle. Once hidden from the immune system, inside the very cells that were sent to get rid of them, they begin to multiply, and for that purpose they require more and more energy and ‘building material’. My research aims to shed light on the interaction between the bacteria and host cell. How do these bacteria manage to get what they need from the host cell? How do they do it without triggering the macrophage’s defense mechanisms, or alerting other parts of the immune system? By broadening and deepening our understanding of the way intracellular bacteria exploit macrophages’ metabolism for their own ends, we will gain important insights which can later help us in our fight against tuberculosis.
During my Fellowship, I intend to combine the skills and knowledge I acquired during my PhD with the cutting-edge research done at Ramakrishnan lab, in order to further our understanding of not only the disease of tuberculosis, but also the inner workings of our cells, in sickness and in health. It is my ultimate goal that the work I’m doing here will serve as a stepping stone to starting my own research group that will focus on studying diseases through the lens of intracellular interaction.
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Medicine, in the Laboratory of Professor Lalita Ramakrishnan
When I am not working in the lab, I spend time with my partner, son and daughter, exploring Cambridge and the surrounding attractions. In addition, I engage in one of my hobbies - photography, board games, and making crafts.
- Blavatnik Postdoctoral Research Associate
