About Us
Founded in 1944, the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science develops philanthropic support for the Weizmann Institute in Israel, and advances its mission of science for the future of humanity.
May 14, 2021... The American Committee’s Women for Science (W4S) initiative hosted an engaging webinar, featuring two leading neuroscientists: Weizmann Institute President Prof. Alon Chen and Prof. Michal Schwartz of the Department of Neurobiology. Following introductory remarks by W4S Co-Chair Ellen Merlo, Prof. Chen provided an overview Weizmann’s flagship Institute for Brian and Neural Sciences. Featured speaker Prof. Michal Schwartz then presented her trailblazing research, based on her groundbreaking discoveries about the connection between the immune system and the brain. Her innovative work is paving the way to a revolutionary platform for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and age-related dementia. To conclude the program, Prof. Schwartz participated in a dynamic Q&A, moderated by Ellen Merlo.
Oct 18, 2021...
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time that is typically packed with runs, walks, and other events. While this year is different due to the coronavirus, stepping up to support and advance the science is as important as ever.
Breast cancer research is actively underway at the Weizmann Institute of Science, with researchers applying their formidable skills to improve understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of this still-too-common disease. Working in collaboration with oncologists and other medical professionals around the world, Institute scientists are continually making groundbreaking progress, demonstrating the role that curiosity-driven, interdisciplinary science plays in the battle against breast cancer. Just a few of the innovative projects taking place right now include:
https://weizmann-usa.org/news-media/in-the-news/a-future-where-women-don-t-need-to-give-birth/
Feb 22, 2022...
In this fascinating video produced by the BBC, Prof. Jacob Hanna from Weizmann’s Department of Molecular Biology joins several global experts to discuss embryonic growth outside of the womb.
Hanna and his team made history by growing mouse embryos externally, and Hanna believes in the next ten years clinical trials in humans could be possible.
The potential impacts of growing human fetuses in a synthetic womb are wide-ranging, saving premature babies too underdeveloped for traditional incubators, preventing life-threatening pregnancy complications, and providing an opportunity for people who are unable to conceive for a variety of reasons, to have children.
Jul 18, 2022...
Homo sapiens has come to dominate the planet, but what are the traits that have allowed humans to have such a position? On this episode, “Human Story,” Dr. Liat Ben David, CEO of the Davidson Institute of Science Education, the educational arm of Israel's acclaimed Weizmann Institute of Science, discusses her book, The Story of Our Lives, The: Homo Sapiens' Secrets of Success.
Excerpt from Groks Science Show"I do have strong beliefs that through the education processes such as we’re doing at Davidson with youths — from not only Israel but all over the world — creating and developing science literacy as the tools for making decisions and solving problems for more and more of our youngsters, and if we want the bright future that I’m talking about, science literacy is the pillar of building up a better, democratic, and tolerant society.” – Dr. Liat Ben David
https://weizmann-usa.org/news-media/in-the-news/expanding-the-limits-of-the-possible-1/
Nov 07, 2022...
A rock star, a Paralympic swimmer, and a Nobel Prize in Physics laureate were among the nine recipients of honorary Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the Weizmann Institute of Science on Monday, November 7, bestowed upon them in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to society.
"Each one of tonight’s honorees has expanded the limits of the possible, while inspiring others to fulfill their own boundless potential," Prof. Alon Chen, president of the Weizmann Institute, said at the conferment ceremony, hosted by news anchor Lucy Aharish on campus at the Michael Sela Auditorium. Part of the Institute’s 74th Annual General Meeting of the International Board, the ceremony and related events are taking place in person — and as usual — for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nov 21, 2022... Weizmann Scientist, Prof. Yonina Eldar of the department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, explains how Artificial Intelligence can be used to improve signal processing. Signal processing is a crucial component that enables many of the devices we use today including hearing aids and medical imaging equipment, like MRI, CT and X-ray, which can all greatly benefit from better imaging and resolution. Prof. Eldar’s specializes in developing algorithms for signal processing, and for the representation and transmission of information using advanced mathematical techniques. Her lab develops AI tools and to acquire and extract information and combine them with other modes like physics or medicine to pave the way to new technologies that can see, hear, and communicate beyond existing limits. Prof. Eldar’s innovations have helped to make ultrasound devices smaller, cheaper, and uploadable to the cloud; optimize MRI scans for medical imaging, improve data storage and communications, create super-resolution microscopy, and support computational biology.
Apr 03, 2023...
Jerusalem, April 3, 2023 — The Blavatnik Family Foundation, the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and the New York Academy of Sciences, announced today the Laureates of the 2023 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in Israel. This year’s Laureates, who will each receive $100,000, are:
The Blavatnik Awards recognize outstanding, innovative scientists at the early stages of their careers for both their extraordinary achievements and their promise for future discoveries. The prizes are awarded to researchers aged 42 and younger for groundbreaking work in the disciplines of Life Sciences, Chemistry, and Physical Sciences & Engineering. The Blavatnik Awards in Israel sit alongside their international counterparts, the Blavatnik National Awards and Blavatnik Regional Awards in the United States, and the Blavatnik Awards in the United Kingdom.
Sep 05, 2023... REHOVOT, ISRAEL—September 6, 2023—A research team headed by Prof. Jacob Hanna at the Weizmann Institute of Science has created complete models of human embryos from stem cells cultured in the lab – and managed to grow them outside the womb up to day 14. As reported today in Nature, these synthetic embryo models had all the structures and compartments characteristic of this stage, including the placenta, yolk sac, chorionic sac and other external tissues that ensure dynamic and adequate growth.
https://weizmann-usa.org/news-media/feature-stories/the-romance-of-math/
Nov 01, 2023...
Watch Orna and Shmuel Kliger return to the Weizmann Institute of Science and reflect on how special their time there was and the profound impact it’s had on their lives.
For Orna and Shmuel Kliger, a set of advanced degrees in computer science from Weizmann has added up to a whole greater than the sum of its parts: two degrees were the starting point of a marriage, four kids, and major career success in the high-tech industry.
©2023 American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science
