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About me //
I was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Petach Tikva. While studying for my PhD at the Hebrew University I worked as a dentist. During this time I married Daniela, a former resident of Uruguay who had made Aliya to Israel. We have three children: Liam, Micaela and Noga. Now back in Israel, we live in Jerusalem, very close to the Ein Kerem (Medical) campus.
My personal ambition to work in an academic setting and passion for science evolved in Israel. Science has always fascinated me, but it wasn’t until I actually engaged in research at high-school following the advice and support of my high-school biology teacher that I became aware of the tremendous value of research. Following her advice, I carried out a research project in one of the leading biotech companies in Israel, Bio-Technology General (Israel) Ltd, for almost two years. Then, as a student for Dentistry at the Hebrew University, I re-explored my passion for basic science and enrolled in an MSc program, which evolved into a direct-track to a PhD. In fact, a great motivation and persistence continuously helped me to advance my career in the past, along with having a family.
My research projects over the past years have varied, crossing disciplines and methodologies, finally focusing on the different pathophysiological aspects of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system. With a desire to directly improve people’s everyday life, I have strived to integrate my clinical curiosity and experimental knowledge to deepen the understanding of clinically relevant research questions.
My scientific research began in the area of bone biology. I pursued my graduate training at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem under the mentorship of the late Prof. Itai Bab from the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Prof. Esther Shohami from the School of Pharmacy, where I studied the mechanisms by which the central eCB system modulates peripheral skeletal remodeling. In particular, I was interested in the clinical phenomenon whereby traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces a systemic stimulation of bone formation, leading to excessive accumulation of bone tissue in normal and ectopic sites.
To broaden my scientific knowledge and skills, I joined Dr. Kunos’s group at the Division of the Intramural Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) of the NIH as a Postdoctoral Fellow. During my postdoctoral studies in the USA, I explored the biological mechanisms underlying obesity and the metabolic syndrome. More specifically, I worked on targeting the peripheral eCB system for the treatment of obesity and its hormonal/metabolic complications.
I joined the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2014, as a senior lecturer (equivalent to an Assistant Professor) at the Faculty of Medicine’s School of Pharmacy and a member of the Institute for Drug Research. My career goal is to establish an internationally recognized independent research program in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. My research goal is to uncover the involvement of the eCB system in the pathogenesis of obesity and its metabolic consequences, with therapeutic prospects for the development of an effective drug therapy.
CV //
Education
2009
Ph.D. (Summa cum laude). The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
2005
D.M.D. Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
2005
M.Sc. The Institute of Dental Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
2002
B.Med.Sc. (Cum laude). Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
Employment
2018-Present
Associate Professor. Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
2014-2018
Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor). Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
2011-2014
Staff Scientist. Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
2009-2011
Postdoctoral Fellow. Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
2007-2008
Teaching Assistant. The Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
2005-2008
General Private Dentist. "Mediton" – Medical Holding Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
2005-2008
Clinical Instructor. Department of Prosthodontics, The Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
2000-2001
Teaching Assistant. The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
Prizes and Awards
2020
The Rector Excellence Award for an Outstanding Scientist. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2019
William Devane Young Investigator Award, The International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS)
2019
Best Pre-clinical Teacher at the Faculty of Medicine. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2019
Sir Zelman Cowen Universities Fund (SZCUF) Prize for Discovery in Medical Research in the field of Metabolism and Obesity
2018
NCATS Director's Awards. National Institutes of Health
2018
The Chowers Prize for Endocrinology. Israel Endocrinology Society
2017
The Jacob Metzner's Young Investigator Award. Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2016-2018
Excellence in Teaching (Rector List). The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2014
"Golda Meir Colleague". The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2012
The Obesity Society (TOS) Early Career Research Award
2010
Cannabinoids in Biology & Medicine Workshop Young Investigator Award
2010
Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE). National Institutes of Health
2007
"Golda Meir Colleague". The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2007
Wolf Scholarship. The Wolf Foundation
2006
American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Young Investigator Award
2005-2009
The Hebrew University Rector Scholarship for outstanding achievements in Ph.D. studies
2005
"Wainshnak Sara & Yehuda". The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2004
"Para Gurevich" Prize. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2003
"Colgate" Award. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2003
"Pierre Fauchard Academy" Award for Leadership Qualities in Dental School