From the President
Greetings from Weizmann President Prof. Alon Chen
Impact Report 2022
Weizmann Impact Report 2022
A year
of boundless
exploration
A year
of boundless
exploration
Thank you. With your support, our scientists and students made 2022 another stellar year of innovative research. Weizmann success stories and key Institute activities compose the core of our new Impact Report. We are thrilled to share them with you, as the worldwide Weizmann community is the driving force behind these outstanding achievements.
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Year at a glance
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Prof. Rivka Dikstein
Dean, Faculty of Biochemistry
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Prof. Michal Irani
Dean, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
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Prof. Maya Schuldiner
Chair, Scientific Council
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Prof. Nir Davidson
Vice Chair, Scientific Council
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RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGHS
Weizmann scientists are changing how we understand the world in which we live and work. This past year, transformative discoveries related to climate, cancer, AI, immunology, physics, and more were spearheaded by our researchers, who continue to follow their curiosity and push the boundaries of science.
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IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Weizmann supporters from around the globe reflect on their connection with the Institute, their unique relationships with scientists, and the value of advancing science through philanthropy.
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“The Weizmann Institute drives innovation by recruiting and investing in the world’s best and brightest, empowering them to pursue their scientific curiosities, and providing them with tools to address humanity’s greatest challenges.”
Blythe Brenden
United States
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“The Weizmann Institute is a magical place, where bright minds unite to make groundbreaking discoveries based on curiosity-driven basic research. There is nothing purer than that, which is why our connection to the Institute is so strong.”
Bob and Renée Drake
the Netherlands
“I support the Weizmann Institute because it is a light that nourishes humanity with impeccable science and a desire to improve the human condition.”
Silvia and Mauricio Gerson
Mexico
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“We have always admired and respected the Weizmann Institute for its relevance in developing science for the good of the world we live in. Thank you for the opportunity to be a small part of this great institution.”
Vivian and Marcos Lederman
Brazil
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“One cannot help but be moved by the sight of young students, who otherwise have lost confidence in society, holding their certificates after finishing a yearlong physics course at the Weizmann Institute. One can feel their renewed sense of hope in society.”
Dr. Ettie Pirak
Israel
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New Scientists
Rising stars in their respective fields, our new scientists bring bold and diverse perspectives, and inject new energy into the Institute’s labs and campus life.
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Inspired by biology
Dr. Alexandra Tayar is a new member of the Department of Chemical and Biological Physics. She borrows building blocks from living systems and restores their function outside of the cell to enable the assembly of new complex materials. Her research provides insight into possible mechanisms by which nano-molecules drive macroscale order, and could help scientists design new biologically inspired materials.
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Synthesis simplified
Dr. Samer Gnaim, a recent recruit to the Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, develops methods to improve the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, natural products, and agrochemicals. His research has revealed ways around the drug-delivery limitations of several cancer drugs and was adopted by pharmaceutical giant Merck. Dr. Gnaim won the 2022 Sir Charles Clore Prize.
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Women advancing science
The Weizmann Institute has made it a priority to increase the number of women scientists heading their own labs and serving in leadership positions, while also building a framework that allows them to thrive in their chosen field of research.
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Prof. Idit Shachar
Prof. Idit Shachar, from the Department of Systems Immunology, is Head of the Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Gender Equality. Under her leadership, the Weizmann Institute launched the Women’s Postdoctoral Career Development Award in Science in 2022.
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Dr. Elena Meirzadeh
Dr. Elena Meirzadeh earned her PhD at the Weizmann Institute. She is a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University, where her research has been supported by the Israel National Postdoctoral Award Program for Advancing Women in Science and the new Women’s Postdoctoral Career Development Award.
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Students and Postdocs
2087
Total
724
MSc students
72 International
873
PhD students
173 International
490
Postdoctoral fellows
368 International
- 1179Male
- 908Female
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MEET THE SCIENTISTS OF TOMORROW
Dr. Camila Pinto Da Cunha
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
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MEET THE SCIENTISTS OF TOMORROW
PhD student Welmoed van Zuiden
Department of Molecular Genetics
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MEET THE SCIENTISTS OF TOMORROW
Dr. Vishnu Mohan
Department of Molecular Cell Biology
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Rendering of the Pennie and Gary Abramson Family
International Residence
Housing
A recent Feinberg Graduate School survey found that 80% of students and postdocs would prefer to live on campus. Indeed, affordable and proximal student housing is a key component of any vibrant, diverse campus, especially in Rehovot, where options are both limited and costly. The Weizmann Institute therefore provides hundreds of residential units both on and near campus, with many more now being built.
244
New housing units under construction
333
Housing units currently available
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Rendering of the International Campus
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Science education
The Institute’s educational mission is to instill a passion for science, enhance science literacy, and nurture the next generation of scientists and educators, through outreach programs and activities for people of all backgrounds and ages.
9.2 million
Unique page views of the Davidson Institute of Science
Education website
2200
Participants in Davidson’s Young Excellence and Leadership
in Science Program
20500
Students
916
Classroom teachers
Hands-on science
An extensive renovation of the Clore Garden of Science is reinventing the way the public engages in scientific discovery. The indoor exhibits are now open to visitors, with the outdoor exhibits slated to open in Fall 2023.
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Flagship projects
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Celebrating the Institute’s highest honor
Our 2022 honorary PhD recipients include distinguished scientists, philanthropists, artists, athletes, even an astronaut – many of whom have been friends and supporters of the Weizmann Institute for decades.
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“...It’s the true spirit of Weizmann: investing in people.”
Gary Abramson
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“Once you say it’s too late, you abdicate any responsibility, so you have to keep trying.”
Prof. Steven Chu
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“When one thinks of Israeli brains, one thinks immediately of the Weizmann Institute.”
Sandy Frankel
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“May you always move forward, and never give up.”
Shalom Hanoch
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“All of us who benefitted from the work of the ones who came before have to step up to the plate.”
Prof. Nancy Hopkins
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“Pure research is so important. That’s where the breakthroughs come from.”
Dr. Ellen Knell
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“What makes an institute work are the people. How they’re motivated, compensated, treated, and listened to. Weizmann listens.”
Harvey Knell
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“I don’t see that much difference between being the best you can in sports or science. If you’re going to be the best you can, be the best you can.”
Keren Leibovitch
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“I think one of the central tenets that resonates with me is this idea of pursuing science for the benefit of humanity.”
Dr. Jessica Meir
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Getting back to our roots
In 1951, Institute founder Dr. Chaim Weizmann planted the first tree in what would become the President’s Forest in central Israel. That tree stood for decades before being destroyed by devastating forest fires.
In a special ceremony on November 9, 2022, Weizmann Institute President Prof. Alon Chen planted another tree in the exact same spot to mark the 70th anniversary of Chaim Weizmann’s passing. The event took place in the presence of members of the International Board of the Weizmann Institute and other friends and supporters from across the world.
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IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Weizmann supporters from around the globe reflect on their connection with the Institute, their unique relationships with scientists, and the value of advancing science through philanthropy.
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“The Making Connections UK Programme that I am proud to support is a particular example of visionary thinking at the Weizmann Institute. I feel that I am now, and will always be, a part of the Weizmann family.”
Denis Raeburn
United Kingdom
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“The Institute has always held a central place in our family. The dynamism, freedom, and multidisciplinary approach that underlie the principles of education and research at the Institute are the driving forces behind our fervor.”
Gregory and Lizette Scialom
France
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“Weizmann transports us to a world of rigorous optimism. It shows us that we can improve the world through collaboration, hard work, and a curious mind.”
Ariel Sigal
Argentina
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“It has been our privilege to fund scholarships for excellent Australian students to participate in the ISSI program on the Weizmann campus. There can be no greater scientific inspiration and no better exposure to the best that Israel has to offer.”
Judy and Sam Weiss
Australia
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“Weizmann punches above its weight when it comes to international research. It provides an avenue for long-term global collaborations and is a great training ground for the next generation of scientists.”
Sam Znaimer
Canada
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Leadership
The Weizmann management team is composed of active, accomplished scientists. Their work in Weizmann Institute leadership roles ensures that the Institute provides optimal conditions for outstanding science and innovation to flourish.
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Prof. Alon Chen
President -
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Prof. Ziv Reich
Vice President -
Prof. Irit Sagi
Vice PresidentInnovation and Technology Transfer -
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Prof. Roee Ozeri
Vice PresidentDevelopment and Communications -
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Prof. Alon Harmelin
Vice PresidentAdministration and Finance
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Contact Our Worldwide Committees
The Weizmann Institute is represented by committees around the globe who provide essential resources for continuous development, and expand our network of friends and partners. We invite you to be in touch to hear about our latest research breakthroughs and cutting-edge science.