Signs of Success

Though still young, the Israel National Postdoctoral Award Program for Advancing Women in Science is already showing major signs of success. This is evident both from the testimonials of the award recipients themselves, and the fact that a large fraction of the women are returning to Israel to positions in academia and industry immediately following their postdoctoral studies.

Of the first cycle of 11 awards in 2007-2009, seven women have accepted faculty positions in Israel, and one in the high-tech industry in Israel. Of the second cycle of 11 awards in 2008-2010, three have accepted faculty positions in Israel, whereas the remainder are not yet ready for academic appointments and are continuing their postdoctoral studies.

Current positions of former recipients:

The 2009 Recipients

Dr. Ilana Kolodkin-Gal, Weizmann Institute of Science

The 2008 Recipients:

Dr. Maya Bar Sadan, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 2011

Dr. Irit Gat-Viks, Tel Aviv University

Dr. Liat Goldfarb, University of Haifa

2007 Recipients:

Dr. Hadas Hawlena, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev 

Dr. Anat Levin, the Weizmann Institute of Science

Dr. Genela Morris, University of Haifa  

Dr. Irit Gat-Viks, Tel Aviv University

 Dr. Adi Salomon, Ben-Gurion University

Dr. Lilach Amirav, Technion

Dr. Ayelet Lamm, Technion

Dr. Yael Artzy-Randrup, second postdoctoral position (Princeton University)

Dr. Ervin Tal Gutelmacher, Elbit Systems

Dr. Genia Sklute, West Virginia University 

Dr. Irena Pekker, University of Washington, Seattle

 What the Recipients Say About the Program

 “The very generous grant has been instrumental in allowing me to focus on my research, safe in the knowledge that my family is both happy and financially secure.”—Dr. Rina Sosenzweig, Revson Fellow, 2010 recipient, Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Chemistry, University of Toronto.

“As a single woman, coming to a foreign country and leaving home, family and friends, was really difficult. To build a new life from nothing is very challenging both socially and financially, and the award I received helped me significantly to focus on accomplishing my dream in becoming a successful researcher.”—Dr. R’ada (Jada) Massarwa, 2009 recipient, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

“The fellowship helps me a great deal. In addition to funding, the fellowship gives me some ‘points’ with the principal investigators I work with when it comes to project selection.”—Dr. Dina Schneidman, 2008 recipient, University of California, San Francisco.

“During the last two year at Johns Hopkins University, I was involved in multi-disciplinary biomedical research. It provided me with a unique opportunity to broaden my knowledge and skills, thus opening more career options for me. The financial assistance that you have provided allowed me to concentrate on the research and my professional goals. Thank you for your generous support.”—Dr. Maya Zayats, Revson Fellow, 2009 recipient, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University.