CHANGING THE WORLD ONE PERSON AND ONE INNOVATION AT A TIME

Assaf Zinger, Ph.D. student in Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine

A MESSAGE Top: Rendering of the FROM HAIFA campus, home of the Jacobs Technion- FROM NATIONAL Cornell Institute. Below left: (l to r) Technion President PRESIDENT 2017 Professor Peretz Lavie; Mayor Michael TO THE WORLD: R. Bloomberg; Sanford I. Weill; ZAHAVA BAR-NIR Technion Board of Governors Chair Larry Jackier; Professor Boaz Golany, Vice President for External Relations THE TECHNION and Resource Development. e have much to look forward to in the exciting HONORING MAYOR Below: President Professor Lavie W honoring Mayor Bloomberg. year ahead. And indeed our plates are full. We’re in the MICHAEL BLOOMBERG 3 CELEBRATES midst of a new fundraising campaign, our most ambitious TECHNION OPENS IN NYC yet. The Joan & Irwin Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute THIS SUMMER 4 will have a new home on the Cornell Tech campus on CHINA RISING 5 MICHAEL ’S in the fall. We are accomplishing all this THE TECH TRIO: CHINA, ISRAEL, while implementing a new Strategic Plan. THE U.S. 6 TECH All signs point to reaching new heights. TECHNION PRESIDENT PERETZ BLOOMBERG In a first for the ATS, we’ve raised $151 LAVIE’S GLOBAL VISION 7 “Help us million this past year, surpassing our $100 CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ 8 MIRACLE spread the million goal for the second consecutive message that year. That’s not just a number—it is the ALUMNI INNOVATORS 12 future of the Technion. Our lay leaders INNOVATIONS THAT ARE CHANGING NEW YORK the Technion are working tirelessly to expand our donor THE WORLD 14 pipeline, attracting interest and support INSTILLING THE truly provides that reaches beyond our typical constitu- ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT 16 CITY’S ent. We’ve gotten publicity for our Tech- education and nion researchers and alumni across a wide FACES OF THE TECHNION 17 innovation spectrum of media from The Wall Street AN ASTRONOMICAL SEASON 20 FUTURE Journal to NBC News. THE ISRAEL-U.S. STEM PIPELINE for the global Taking a page from the tech world, ENVISIONED BY MORTIMER B. o much has happened since that jubilant day in December 2011, when the entire American Technion Society good.” ZUCKERMAN 22 the Technion-Cornell partnership won the competition to build an staff participated in a “hackathon” dur- innovative technology campus in New York City. On March 15, 2016, ing the annual Staff Institute, working DONOR SPOTLIGHT: ALLEN AND the ATS celebrated that event and honored the man whose vision made it all possi- together to draft suggestions for implementing the Strategic Plan. JEWEL PRINCE 24 ble: New York City’s three-term mayor and philanthropist, Michael R. Bloomberg. Milestone events have kept that electricity in the air. In March, we INSPIRED BY DAD: MAURICE AND awarded former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg with a Technion HYNDA GAMZE 25 During a gala at The Plaza hotel in Manhattan, Mayor Bloomberg was awarded a Technion Honorary Doctorate for his role in transforming the future of education Honorary Doctorate. His vision for a high-tech Big Apple led to the creation A WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITY BUILT of the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech. To ON GLOBAL EFFORTS 26 in New York. The event was chaired by Lauren and John J. Veronis, along with bookend the year, we recognized nine extraordinary alumni at an event in Honorary Chairs Joan and Irwin M. Jacobs, Eric Schmidt and Joan and Sanford MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE VICE Silicon Valley, attended by more than 300 guests. We also held a special I. Weill. Acclaimed journalist Charlie Rose served as Master of Ceremonies for the PRESIDENT JEFFREY RICHARD 27 event to honor Mort Zuckerman on receiving the Technion Medal, in evening, which also featured a performance by renowned soprano Renée Fleming. recognition of his creation of the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program. On the cover: Assaf Zinger, a rising star “The Technion is an incarnation of that quintessential Israeli idea that nothing is The Technion has reinforced its position as a thought leader in higher at the Technion, is a Ph.D. student in impossible,” said Mr. Bloomberg. “That’s an idea that Israel and New York City education, as evidenced by recent international rankings. The prestigious Professor Avi Schroeder’s Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized share. It’s what has made both centers of innovation and invention, and it is what Shanghai Ranking named the Technion the #1 university in Israel. The Medicine, which receives support from has allowed both to respond to adversity with strength.” Technion was also recognized by Reuters as the most innovative university ATS donors. Assaf and Avi, a Technion In- in Israel. novator, are developing nanotechnological Technion President Professor Peretz Lavie said: “Because of Mr. Bloomberg’s This edition of Technion USA celebrates our Going Global, and most approaches for performing surgery. See vision and foresight, the Technion and its partner, , will create full story on page 17. of all, YOU—our Faces of the Technion. From Technion President Professor leaders in New York who will develop innovative technology and solutions to Peretz Lavie, to the faculty and students, and across the oceans to our benefit mankind.” Some of those entrepreneurial leaders were on hand to demon- committed supporters, we are truly ONE Technion family. strate their innovations. Please share this magazine with your friends and family. Help us spread News about other Technion innovators, promising research, details of the Jacobs the message that the Technion truly provides education and innovation for Institute and more are featured on the pages ahead. ■ the global good.

2 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 3 SHANTOU, GUANGDONG, CHINA NEW YORK, NY, USAGoing Global GUANGDONG TECHNION ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY HAIFA, ISRAEL

JOAN & IRWIN JACOBS TECHNION-CORNELL INSTITUTE China Rising TECHNION–ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY supported by the Li Ka-Shing administrative issues, including Countdown Begins: Technion Foundation, will become the campus construction. Technion Technion’s second global campus. Professor Paul Feigin is behind Some 150 students are the scenes, coordinating all Opens in NYC this Summer expected to start classes in the efforts to ensure the success of fall to study chemical engineer- this complex endeavor. can experiment, understand the Last May, Jacobs’ inaugural class ing with an emphasis on environ- The GTIIT will have Schools results of our experiments and of 12 Connective Media students ment as well as biotechnology. of Engineering and the Sciences, continually improve our pro- received dual master’s degrees GTIIT will also eventually have which will be headed by Tech- grams. As a result, it feels a lot from the Technion (Applied an industrial component. “Just nion Professors Moshe Sheintuch more like what you do in indus- Information Science) and Cornell nce proud of its ubiq- like the Technion in Haifa, we and Noam Soker, respectively, try, especially with a startup.” (Information Systems). Last fall, uitous “Made in China” label, want to build an incubator of and house the departments of “Out of ather than starting with A computer scientist and Jacobs enrolled 28 new master’s today the emerging superpower startup companies side-by-side chemical engineering, material a cast-in-stone plan, Ron Brach- expert in artifi cial intelligence, students: 21 in Connective Media seems bent on transforming its with the campus and encourage sciences, environmental sciences, whole cloth, man has set a goal, is heading in Mr. Brachman became Director of and seven in Health Tech. Aimed image into “Invented in China.” Israeli startups to take advan- physics, mathematics, chemistry we are a direction that feels right, and is the Jacobs Institute last October. at applying computer science And the Technion fi gures promi- tage of the market in China,” and more. These areas will creating learning and adjusting along the His career includes infl uential to the healthcare industry, the nently in that plan. says Ciechanover, who is also expand with the goal of eventu- a graduate- way. “In the end, you end up with positions at Yahoo Labs, Bell Health Tech program is in its The Guangdong Technion co-director of the new Technion ally enrolling about 5,000 under- a much better product.” Sound Labs, AT&T Labs and the Defense second year. Two newly minted Israel Institute of Technology Integrated Cancer Center. graduates, led by 300 faculty level, like he’s talking about a new tech Advanced Research Projects Ph.D. students have also joined (GTIIT) is under way in China In these early fi rst steps, members who will be actively high-tech startup? In a way, he is. Agency, which develops technol- the Runway Startup Postdoc with a mandate to instill in GTIIT is building a campus on involved in research. Faculty educational Mr. Brachman is leading the ogy for the U.S. Department of Program. students the Technion’s inno- the northern part of its property are being recruited from various innovative academic experiment Defense. Mr. Brachman succeeds Still in its infancy, Jacobs is vative spirit. “Campus construc- and setting up a leadership struc- countries, including Korea, institution.” in entrepreneurial education that Professor Adam Shwartz, who is already seeding New York City tion is moving full speed ahead,” ture. Chinese Professor Li Jiange Germany, the U.S. and China, –RON is the Joan & Irwin Jacobs moving back to Israel and taking with entrepreneurs, startups says Distinguished Professor will preside as Chancellor (the and students will be recruited BRACHMAN Technion-Cornell Institute at on the roles of Chair of the Board and innovations. Runway Post- and Nobel Laureate Aaron equivalent of a U.S. or Israeli from all over the world starting Cornell Tech in New York City. of Trustees at the Jacobs Institute doc Assaf Glazer stayed in the Ciechanover, who serves as Vice university president). Prof. in the spring of 2017. “It’s pretty rare that you get a and Senior Executive Vice Presi- Big Apple to launch Nanit, his Chancellor. “By summer, we Ciechanover will be aided by The success of the GTIIT chance to start, or help grow, dent at the Technion. unique baby monitor company shall have the most updated, Pro-Vice Chancellors Professor pivots on maintaining the a new university,” he says. The unique startup, a partner- utilizing computer vision, to modern, beautiful facility.” Eliezer Shalev, who has com- Technion’s exacting standards. “What we’re trying to do is ship between the Technion and wide media coverage last spring. Soon after the Jacobs pleted his term as the Medical “The school carries the Technion create, out of whole cloth, a grad- Cornell University, is taking Coming up behind him are Technion-Cornell Institute at Faculty’s Dean and will oversee name,” says Prof. Ciechanover, uate-level, high-tech educational shape as Cornell Tech’s fi rst three enterprising young students like Cornell Tech opens its doors academic affairs, and Dr. Moshe emphasizing the Technion’s institution. Do things where we buildings rise on Roosevelt Island. continued on page 13 on Roosevelt Island, GTIIT, Marom, who is in charge of continued on page 16

4 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 5 nologies but a small domestic China, Israel, the U.S. market, it makes sense to con- Technion President Professor Peretz Lavies nect with a huge country that is ’ hungry for innovation. We caught up with Prof. Lavie to Figuring out how to win the learn about his strategic plans for China market continues to be a global Technion The Tech Triangle a challenge, however. Consider Global Vision by Rebecca A. Fannin how ride-sharing app Uber was Eager to become the world’s lead- snapped up by its local rival, ing innovative economic power Didi Chuxing. Even so, such Do you envision a future by 2020, China has been on a leading brands as Airbnb are forg- when students can take classes shopping spree in Israel and the ing ahead in China by tailoring at different campuses? he technology world is at “Chinese U.S. More than 500 Chinese their marketing to local tastes. Absolutely. Students at the the forefront of a major corporations delegations visited Israel in In turn, Chinese corporations Jacobs Technion-Cornell Insti- trend that links Israel with 2015. Chinese investment in and investment groups with tute have already visited the China and the U.S. for venture and invest- Israeli companies and venture hefty checkbooks are looking Technion in Israel and had a capital and research. Call it the ment groups capital funds has surged to record to Israel and Silicon Valley to great experience. The exchange Tech Triangle, a new angle on with hefty highs—and is still climbing. acquire or invest in high-tech of students between the cam- how advances will increasingly checkbooks Moreover, China has become businesses. Horizons Ventures, puses in China, New York and be made by collaborations among the world’s second-largest VC backed by Hong Kong tycoon Israel enriches student life. this trio, leading to a new world are looking market: nearly $50 billion in Li Ka-shing, has funded 26 Israeli Because the degree in China will order in technology leadership. to Israel and venture deals during 2015 and tech companies. In a sign of be equivalent to the degree at the It’s long been a given that Silicon Valley narrowing the gap with the U.S., the Tech Triangle at work, in Technion, a student will be able Israel and Silicon Valley domi- the leader, with $72 billion. 2011, Horizons led a $30 million to study in China and earn the nate in technological advances, to acquire Israel ranks fourth globally, at fi nancing of Israeli mapping and same number of credits. Flexibil- with such forces as the Technion and invest $2.6 billion in 2015—on track to navigation startup Waze, which ity is critical. and Stanford turning out top in high-tech double this year. Google bought two years later Does having these satellite We also envision that faculty engineering and entrepreneurial businesses.” New links among these tech for $1.1 billion. campuses improve your standing members at the Technion could talent. Increasingly, China is powers are forming in venture The trend line is clearly around the world? have a laboratory in China, now seen as an innovator of capital investment and fund- upward. Total capital invested in Globalization is the Yes. Visibility is so important. and researchers at the GTIIT technologies, and not—as was raising. Start-up investors that Israeli high-tech deals with some : way of: the future. If we look Q A We’re in the news, people know will have a laboratory at the Why is the widely regarded in the past— for decades traveled the Silicon Chinese participation fl ooded in Technion going at universities in Europe and about us. We participate in sci- Technion in Haifa, so that they merely a copier of the best ideas Valley-Tel Aviv highway in at $500 million in 2015, com- the U.S. that are similar to the entifi c conferences all over the can conduct complementary from the West. search of potentially disruptive pared to $118 million in 2012, global? And Technion, its best students, par- world and everybody wants to research. Having three centers In China’s fi rst era of tech breakthroughs are now adding according to the IVC Research why is now the ticularly in the natural sciences hear our story. How did you do of academic education will allow entrepreneurship, beginning Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen Center. The group predicts “the right time? and engineering, come from the it? What is the recipe? Suddenly the movement of students and in 2000, versions of several to their stops. For instance, lead- vast majority” of Israeli venture entire world. So a few years ago the Technion changed from the faculty. U.S. leaders emerged: Baidu vs. ing Israeli VC fund Jerusalem capital funds will have at least the Technion decided we should best-kept secret of Israel to the Google, Weibo vs. Twitter, Venture Partners drew $10 mil- one Chinese investor in their open our gates. The Technion forefront of Israeli higher educa- What does success look Alibaba vs. eBay. This tech race lion from Chinese tech titan fi nancing rounds this year. International School now has tion. And that’s helped move up like to you? is now emerging at a deeper level. Alibaba, while Carmel Ventures Already, Chinese smartphone close to 800 foreign students— our academic rankings. Three elements are important Propelled by top-tier universi- is backed by Chinese search maker Xiaomi has co-invested undergraduates, graduates and for a university’s success: having ties such as Beijing’s Tsinghua, leader Baidu and Internet secu- $11 million in Pebbles Interfaces, postdocs. How does Technion top-notch students, an excep- China is getting ahead in such rity company Qihoo 360. Addi- a developer of motion gesture The Joan & Irwin Jacobs globalization impact the Technion tional faculty and a mission. key sectors as e-commerce and tionally, Techcode, a Chinese technology. Large conglomerate Technion-Cornell Institute in students in Israel? When Michael Bloomberg chose gaming, and also in more com- accelerator focused on artifi cial Fosun International has acquired New York and the Guangdong Exposure to students from so us to develop the campus in plex technologies including next- intelligence and biotech, recent- Israeli medical technology com- Technion Israel Institute of many countries enables our New York City, he told me, ‘You generation advances in artifi cial ly opened in Tel Aviv. panies and invested in skin care Technology (or GTIIT) in students to communicate bet- took an economy based on Jaffa intelligence, virtual reality, Expansion opportunities business Ahava. Chinese inves- China afford us the type of ter with people from South oranges and turned it into an cleantech and medtech. Indeed, in the huge Chinese market continued on page 16 experience that many universi- America, Europe and China, to economy based on semiconduc- China has climbed steadily over are a major lure. Startups and Rebecca A. ties have now. Having the understand different cultures tors.’ A statement of mission the past seven years to rank third emerging companies are drawn Fannin is Founder/ Technion educate students in and behavior patterns. Many should be part of a university’s worldwide for the number of to China’s fast-paced market, Editor of news China strengthens the relation- Technion students fi nd them- DNA. This is a service to and events group patents in force, at 1.2 million— where technology advances Silicon Dragon, ship between China and Israel selves in multinational compa- society, to the world, and to the compared to the U.S. in the lead catch on quickly among a young, and is a Forbes and promotes collaborative nies when they graduate. The betterment of mankind—which with 2.5 million patents. tech-savvy populace. For Israel, contributor. research between Chinese global exposure on campus pre- to me sums up our story in New This is only the beginning. a country with advanced tech- scientists and the Technion. pares them for professional life. York and our story in China. ■

6 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 7 California Dreamin’ Technion entrepreneurs add startup spark to economy

The recent purchase of two start- Silicon Valley in particular. In 1999, business, law, other professional What do SAIPS and Otto also holds a major stake in a second ups developing pivotal self-driving Technion electrical engineering services—that does not have some have in common? Technion alums Technion-led company, spinal surgery technology illustrates the grow- graduate Eyal Waldman established connection to Israel,” says veteran hold top posts at both. Udy Danino, pioneer Mazor Robotics. ing role adventurous young Israeli Mellanox Technologies, Ltd., a leader high-tech exec Zvi Alon, chairman of Founder and CEO of SAIPS, gradu- Two other Technion brain-children companies—often masterminded by in connectivity solutions that has CICC, the California Israel Chamber ated from the MBA program, while were recently purchased by eBay in Technion alumni—are playing in the headquarters both in Yokneam, of Commerce. Otto Co-Founder Lior Ron earned a push to improve its merchandise American economy. Israel, and in Sunnyvale, Calif. When Alon, a Technion electrical degrees in computer science. range and buyer-seller platform. They ome people might “Most people think of U.S.-Israel Today, Mellanox has a NASDAQ engineering graduate, moved to the Startups such as SAIPS and Otto are visual search engine Corrigon be understandably relations as a one-way street,” with stock value of about $2 billion. U.S. in the 1980s, he was puzzled by may not be household names, but of Tel Aviv, which was co-created “Many two- Uncle Sam providing the financial More recently, the Bay Area has the trouble Israelis were having con- through buyouts and partnerships, by Technion computer science alum “The tremendous way bridges cautious about self- and geopolitical support, says Tech- attracted hot alumni-founded start- verting their know-how into business their innovations can reach consum- Einav Itamar, and Netanya-based flow of Israeli connect the driving cars. Others nion Professor Boaz Golany, Vice ups such as cybersecurity superstar opportunities. He launched the CICC ers on a vast scale. The diagnostic SalesPredict, which uses advanced technology President for External Relations and Tanium, led by David Hindawi, and to strengthen business ties between PillCam invented by alumnus Gavriel analytics to forecast customer behav- U.S. and can’t wait to settle back Resource Development. “But these wireless powerhouse Cohere Tech- his homeland and the Golden State. Iddan of Given Imaging, for example, ior. SalesPredict was co-founded helps leading Israel.” and let computers do relationships also benefit the U.S.” nologies, headed by Shlomo Rakib. “And today, we no longer need to has been bought by global medical- by fellow Technion computer science U.S. companies –PROF. BOAZ One such benefit, he says, “is the FierceWireless.com named Cohere preach about the strength of Israeli equipment maker Medtronic—which graduate and Technion visiting maintain a GOLANY the driving. However tremendous flow of Israeli technology Technologies to its 2016 annual technology and business leadership,” professor Kira Radinsky. strong position you feel, these cars are that helps leading U.S. companies “Fierce 15” list of startups with the he says. “Many such two-way bridges maintain a strong position in the potential of becoming a major indus- connect the U.S. and Israel,” notes in the global not too far down the global competition.” That flow begins try player. Mr. Rakib holds more than Relying on Technion Prof. Golany. These bridges, he competition.” road—with Technion in Israel, where American business 50 patents and has launched several Brainpower commented in a recent Jerusalem behemoths such as Google, Facebook startups. In addition to his entre- Post opinion piece, “span a diverse “Where do leading U.S. companies entrepreneurs helping and Microsoft now run major R&D preneurial smarts, he is a Technion network of fields, including medical go,” asks the Technion’s Prof. Golany, facilities—and look to snap up any Guardian, a designation reserved for devices, environmental protection, drive the concept. “to seek the technologies they need to startup with an app that might boost those who support the Technion at the homeland security and defense, chip stay in the race?” the bottom line. highest level. design, advanced materials and Prof. Golany answers his own Now the pipeline increasingly As the influence of these compa- much more.” question by pointing out that Ford leads westward, as Israeli inventor- nies ripples through Silicon Valley continued on next page purchased SAIPS, an Israeli com- preneurs pour into America—to and across the continent, the impact pany specializing in machine learn- can be seen not just in jobs and rev- ing, part of the artificial-intelligence enue, but in the emerging innovations framework needed for autonomous that change the way we live. vehicles. And that Uber just bought “In today’s Silicon Valley you up California-based Otto, an Israeli- can hardly find any major company— led firm that unveiled technology not just technology but finance, for driverless trucks. Technion graduate Lior Ron, an ex-product lead at Google Maps, is a co-founder of Otto, which has technology in place for self-driving trucks.

8 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 9 CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ continued

Long-Distance Links CEO of Los Gatos-based Tigo Other Technion alums with signif- Technion Guardian. Last November, Energy, whose smart module opti- icant Silicon Valley impact include: he was one of nine Technion game- Israeli entrepreneurs increasingly mizer technology improves the func- y Alex Sirota, computer science— changing alumni honored at the are riding virtual two-way bridges all tion of solar-power systems, Alon has Sirota co-founded Loop Commerce iconic Computer History Museum for the way to the Silicon Valley area, founded companies in both the U.S. in 2012, a leader in the $200 billion achievements in entrepreneurship, where sharp young minds have been and Israel. He also runs Alon Ven- gifting market (personalized gift- innovation, leadership and commu- migrating to since the late 1950s, tures, an investment group emphasiz- card technology for stores and online nity service. when Fairchild Semiconductors ing tech opportunities that span these retailers). More than 300 attendees— pioneered the integrated circuit— business communities. y Oren Ariel, electrical engineer- including fellow alumni, tech influ- made with silicon. ing—Ariel helped start Capriza, encers, Technion President Professor The CICC has grown since the Unicorns Are Real which simplifies business applica- Peretz Lavie and ATS National Board 1990s to serve some 10,000 com- In the world of business, a “uni- tions by rapidly converting complex Members—came out for this first-of- One of those innovators is Assaf At the Bay Area Technion alumni event: (l to r) Emcee Ilana panies, executives and investors, corn” is a private company, usually a desktop applications into a bite-sized its-kind event to celebrate the impact Glazer, who parlayed the mentor- Golan; Honorees Johny Srouji, SVP Hardware Technologies, helping Israeli-led firms link up with Apple; Oren Zeev, Founding Partner, Zeev Ventures; Dan startup, with an estimated stock mar- mobile format. made by these alumni in the Bay ship and financing he received in the Silicon Valley stalwarts such as Intel, Maydan, Retired President, Applied Materials; Yoram Cedar “The drive to ket valuation of more than $1 bil- y Jacques Benkoski, computer Area and around the world. Jacobs Institute’s Runway Startup (see p. 19); Jacques Benkoski (see p. 10); Gil Frostig, VP Google, Cisco, Oracle and PayPal. start compa- lion. A recent report by the National engineering—Benkoski is a partner “It’s gratifying to see that a small Postdoc Program to launch Nanit, Engineering, Qualcomm; Otto’s Lior Ron (see p. 9); and “If you want to access that big U.S. Gusto’s Tomer London (see p. 10). Benkoski, Cedar and Foundation for American Policy at the Silicon Valley-based venture school in the Middle East, and its maker of a “smart” baby monitor. By nies and seek market, you would be well advised to Maydan are Technion Guardians. Also honored was Orli Rinat, noted that about half of America’s capital investment firm U.S. Venture graduates, contribute so much to the recording and measuring an infant’s Venture Philanthropy, not pictured. opportunities have some activity here,” Alon says. unicorns were founded by immi- Partners (USVP), and a member of Silicon Valley and to the World,” behavior through the night—with no The Palo Alto-based chamber attracts entre- grants. India led the list, followed by the CICC executive board. says President Lavie. wearable component required—Nanit focuses on matchmaking in medical Canada and the U.K. tied for second Dr. Benkoski also serves on the helps babies, and their parents, get a preneurs to tech, big data, software licensing place; Israel came in third. (Keep in Technion Board of Governors and the Coast to Coast good night’s sleep. the U.S. From and cloud computing, cybersecurity, mind that India is a nation of 1.2 bil- ATS Silicon Valley Board, and is a It’s no wonder Israelis feel right at On both coasts, Israeli trade mis- mobile and Internet as well as agri- a professional lion people, Israel only 8.2 million.) home in California: the mild, dry sions work to promote the nation’s culture tech. California, like Israel, perspective, Gusto is a San Francisco com- weather, the beautiful beaches and innovations. Israeli leaders have also is arid and could benefit from Israeli pany bearing the Technion imprint the vibrant tech sector. But what signed memorandums of understand- Israelis instan- know-how on maximizing water that has made it to unicorn status. about New York City? ing, with New York and California taneously feel resources. Co-founded by Tomer London, a The Big Apple boasts its own pledging to further deepen economic “American businesspeople have right at home,” computer engineering graduate, thriving tech community, dubbed ties. The drive to start companies and become very aware of what Israel Gusto provides small-business cus- “Silicon Alley” and anchored by seek opportunities attracts entrepre- –ZVI ALON offers, and they want exposure to the tomers with innovative payroll and Google’s headquarters in Chelsea, neurs to the U.S. latest Israeli technology,” says Alon. HR services. near the West Village. And Forbes “From a professional perspective, In fact, representatives from coun- Another Israeli-led unicorn is magazine calls the new Joan & Irwin Israelis instantaneously feel right at tries such as Japan and Korea are David Hindawi’s Tanium. Co-founded Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at home,” says Alon. ■ also joining CICC to build ties with by the industrial engineering/man- Cornell Tech another energizing fac- Israeli entrepreneurs in California. agement graduate and his son, Orion, Technion graduate Tomer London, tor, drawing innovators and in turn Co-Founder and Chief Product Tanium has been on the rise due to Officer of Gusto, is re-imagining attracting the attention of venture its lightning-fast tools for safeguard- how modern payroll operates. investors. ing networked computers in business or government. The father-son duo previously started BigFix, an IT software patching system they sold to IBM.

10 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 11 Emil Fisher, and the mobile app period of stuttering. Speech therapy PEEKABOO TECHNION OPENS BreezoMeter was born. This 2013 helps, but the gains only last approxi- IN NYC THIS SUMMER What could be more alarming for a continued from page 4 BizTEC winner combines global data mately 15 percent of the time. “Thera- new mother than to feel her baby’s Alumni Innovators from hundreds of thousands of sensors pists are blind to what is going on with forehead getting warmer by the hour? that monitor air quality, with traffi c their patients outside the clinic,” he After her baby’s fever persisted for sev- Ron Brachman, The stories behind the inventions and weather reports, satellite informa- says. “Speech therapy is a huge indus- eral days, Janna Tenenbaum-Katan and Director of the tion and more. Analyzing the input try, but it has not advanced much Jacobs Technion- her husband took their then one-year- Cornell Institute with its proprietary algorithms, since the 19th century.” old daughter, Adi, to the doctor. Sus- BreezoMeter creates color-coded air Solution: Coaching app. Yair pecting a urinary tract infection (UTI), pollution maps (green for the healthi- turned to digital health entrepreneur/ the doctor sent Adi to the emergency est air) that assess air quality in Technion Visiting Scientist Yoav room for urethral catheterization. real time on a street-by-street basis. Medan, and together with Tel Aviv Problem: Diagnosing UTIs in baby University Professor Ofer Amir, devel- BREEZOMETER Today, companies and cities employ girls. “Taking your baby to the E.R. ave you ever baked Bhagyasri Canumalla (class of ’17), BreezoMeter technology to enhance oped technology that can detect stut- is traumatic enough, and then there’s muffi ns using fruit juice Ran Korber was on a mission. His a second-year Connective Media their products and improve lives. tering in any language by listening to this invasive procedure. To diagnose wife, who suffers from asthma, was student, who was chosen by AOL to as the sweetener when the the rhythm of speech patterns. The a urinary tract infection, the doctor expecting a baby, and they were NINISPEECH intern at its elite incubator, Area 51. sugar canister was empty? award-winning NiNiSpeech mobile needs to collect a sterile sample of searching for a house in the Haifa “Making the World a Better Remember that time you Yair Shapira’s son stuttered since the application helps people who stutter urine, which is a problem if the baby area for the family. The key factor Place” could be Silicon Valley’s offi - age of two. Yair and his wife took him achieve long-term speech fl uency by is in diapers,” says Janna. fashioned a makeshift was not so much affordability as it cial mantra, says Mr. Brachman. But to therapy, but time and again, he providing real-time numeric feedback, Solution: A non-invasive pro- basketball hoop from an was clean air. in reality, he adds, very few startup would speak fl uently for a while, then “practice buddies” and speech games. cedure. Currently, baby girls must upside-down coffee cup Problem: Air pollution. “We companies are actually making a lapse back into a stutter. Therapists are also able to monitor undergo urinary catheterization for needed to fi nd the cleanest place to difference around the globe. “We for some offi ce diversion? Problem: Stuttering. “Our son’s their patients’ everyday performance, UTI diagnosis. Janna took the problem live near Haifa,” he says. An environ- have a great opportunity here to not There’s truth to the adage: stuttering was frustrating and con- resulting in improved outcomes. to the 2015 Technion Medical 3-Day mental engineer, Ran knew that air only do things that are inspired and “Necessity is the mother sumed a lot of emotional energy for all Startup (3DS) Competition. pollution is the single biggest environ- driven by a deep understanding of of us,” Yair says. Nearly fi ve percent The result was Peekaboo, a of invention.” Just ask mental health crisis we face. science and technology, but to focus of children in the U.S. go through a non-invasive way to collect our Technion Innovators Solution: Monitoring app. Ran on economic and social welfare.” sterile urine samples from teamed up with Ziv Lautman and Bringing aboard faculty members featured here—all of whom To help people non-toilet-trained baby girls. like Assistant Professor Nicola Dell are alumni. like his son Working with co-founders heads squarely in that direction. overcome speech Yoel Angel and Lior Har- Prior to joining the Jacobs Institute diffi culties, Yair Shai, both Rappaport Medi- earlier this year, Prof. Dell worked Shapira co-created cal School graduates, Janna on projects that brought technology NiniSpeech, a developed technology that to underserved communities, par- learning app with mimics the urine collec- ticularly in her native Zimbabwe. practice buddies, tion procedure carried out in jokes and games. More recently, she worked with Con- women. nective Media students to create a Peekaboo won the 3DS mobile app aimed at helping health and went on to win the 2015 workers digitally track samples test- BizTEC Challenge, which ing for diseases in an area of Africa awards a $10,000 top prize to with high HIV and tuberculosis rates. help winners jump-start their Google has been a much-appre- inventions. ■ ciated host since Jacobs opened its doors in 2014. But the countdown is on for the opening of the Jacobs Insti- tute on the Cornell Tech campus on To help her daughter Roosevelt Island in the summer of (far left)—and 2017. The fi rst phase of construction Ran Korber (center), thousands of others— includes The Bloomberg Center, the Ziv Lautman (l) avoid an invasive university’s fi rst academic building; and Emil Fisher (r) medical procedure, invented BreezoMeter The Bridge at Cornell Tech, designed Janna Tenenbaum- to help people for the intermingling of companies, Katan and her team assess air quality in researchers and entrepreneurs; and a invented Peekaboo. neighborhoods residential building that is slated to around the world. be the world’s most energy-effi cient high-rise. ■

12 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 13 The Innovations that are changing the world

Iron Dome Eyelid Motion Monitor Defensive anti-missile system that saved Uses eyelid movement to detect eye disease, autoimmune countless lives during recent confl icts. diseases and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s. Alumni at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Doctoral Student Adi Hanuka UPnRIDE Segway-like device that provides upright Sniff and seated mobility for wheelchair users and quadriplegics. Bio-inspired robots that resemble living Alumni Dr. Amit Goffer and UPnRIDE Phone Snake creatures, including snakes, used in CEO Oren Tamari Mobile phone that uses search-and-rescue operations, medical breathalyzer technology robotics, sports medicine and more. to sniff out cancer. Biodigester Robot Prof. Alon Wolf Prof. Hossam Haick Transforms waste and food compost into clean methane gas used for heat and cooking in remote areas, such as Nepal. Prof. Mark Talesnick, Engineers Without Borders Sesame PillCam First pill-sized camera swallowed by Phone patients to image the digestive tract. World’s fi rst Alumnus Dr. Gavriel Iddan at Given Imaging Solar Energy completely touch- free smartphone NanoBible Technology that could improve the effi ciency of designed by and Smallest Bible in the world, created to showcase photovoltaic cells, which convert light to electricity. for people with the power of nanotechnology applications for medicine, Profs. Nir Tessler and Avner Rothschild, disabilities. computing and more. Grand Technion Energy Program Alumni Oded Ben Prof. Uri Sivan, Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute Dov and Giora Livne

14 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 15 CHINA RISING continued from page 5 Rafi Nave, responsibility to ensure excellence. The head of the BEC Technion will do that by recruiting top-flight researchers and insisting that GTIIT students and faculty spend time on the Haifa Students, faculty and alumni tell us how they first got interested in campus. “If they don’t know the feel of our home campus, it will not possess the famous the Technion and how the university changed their lives Technion DNA,” says Prof. Ciechanover. The Technion is already collaborating with medical scientists at GTIIT’s neighbor, Shantou University, also supported by Li Instilling the Ka-Shing, an enthusiastic investor in Israel’s high-tech industry. “We’re trying to infuse the neighboring university with our spirit of “ Entrepreneurial Spirit entrepreneurship—questioning and tackling challenges,” Prof. Ciechanover adds. at the Bronica Entrepreneurship Center Long-term, GTIIT will occupy two sophis- ream It. Do It!” is a favorite motto at the Technion. But creativity ticated, environmentally-friendly campuses isD not the sole determinant of entrepreneurial success. How, exactly, does covering more than 4.8 million square feet, the university help its students act on the ideas they’ve scribbled on the and will have both graduate and undergradu- back of a napkin? The answer lies in part with the Bronica Entrepreneur- ate programs. All students will receive their ship Center (BEC)—the central point of contact for entrepreneurship at the degrees from the Technion. Collaboration Technion. with the Jacobs Technion Cornell Institute in “When our students graduate, we want them to be not only great New York may also be in the offing. “We will engineers and scientists — we’re educating them to be great entrepreneurs push for it. It will be good for America, for too,” says BEC head Rafi Nave. Israel and the Technion, and for China.” ■ The BEC does that through academic courses that are taught as part of the curriculum within various faculties campus-wide, and centrally at the BEC. Nearly half of the Technion’s engineering departments offer a THE TECH TRIANGLE minor in entrepreneurship, culminating in a capstone project that allows continued from page 6 students to apply what they’ve learned in a practical way. tors are funding Israeli cybersecurity firm Entrepreneurship education at the BEC also includes experiential ironSource, and Alibaba Group Holding Lim- learning to help students develop business skills and convert theory into ited has invested in Israeli QR technology. practice. Through competitions and workshops such as the 3-Day Startup Chinese investment led by Xiaomi, Baidu, (3DS) and the BizTEC Challenge, a Technion initiative open to partici- Tencent, Alibaba and Fosun is also pouring pants from across Israel, students get hands-on opportunities to transform into high-tech businesses in the U.S. This their ideas into reality. 3DS participants, for example, “build a company in money is finding a home in Silicon Valley- fast forward” around an idea or product, says Nave. Students receive vital based startups with specialized, leading-edge commercial and legal advice needed to make their projects successful. technology that Chinese buyers can leverage. Technion 3DS winners can then go on to compete in BizTEC. Final- HOW WATSON MET These investments are clearly strategic, as ists are trained for six to nine months, receiving more than 100 hours of HIS CRICK China is, in effect, paying tuition to partici- lectures and mentorship, and are accompanied from the raw idea stage to pate in the world’s tech flows along a new prototype. BizTEC connects teams with patent offices, venture capitalists kind of Silk Road. and industry professionals, holding their hand along the way. The winning Just as American leaders IBM and Google team is awarded a $10,000 prize to jump-start their invention. have established R&D centers in Israel, “We’re looking to infect them with the entrepreneurship bug,” says Chinese companies Alibaba Group and Haier Nave. That isn’t confined to establishing one’s own business. “We dem- Assaf Zinger, Ph.D. onstrate how to be entrepreneurial at work, large and small organizations, Group Corporation are following their lead. Researcher in Professor Avi Schroeder’s Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine With the new Technion campuses in New banks, the army, anywhere.” Technologies; Technion B.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering York City and in southern China’s Guang- Nave knows something about seeing ideas come to fruition. Holding It was October 2012. I was supposed to give the speech at my graduation ceremony, so I went to the Technion bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, Nave dong Province, look for the Tech Triangle to “barbershop at the Technion to get a haircut. The barber was a friend of mine and I overheard her talking to strengthen with joint research and innova- has more than 40 years of industry experience. He was one of Intel Israel’s Professor Avi Schroeder about his research at the Technion. Avi described the merging of basic science and tion in such strongholds as computer science, first employees and worked in senior R&D positions there, as well as at engineering for solving major problems in the clinic. I was intrigued. I introduced myself, and Avi invited me engineering, digital media, cleantech, the NDS Group (acquired by Cisco Videoscape), Tower Semiconductor, to visit the lab and chat over coffee. I’m like, ‘Are you serious?’ Things happen, so now I’m a Ph.D. student nanotechnology and biotech. ■ and Given Imaging, which manufactures the intestinal diagnostic PillCam in his lab, starting to look for my postdoc position. He was at my wedding and I asked him to sign my (acquired by Medtronic). ■ ketubah. It was a great honor for me. I took my future and put it in his hands.”

16 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 17 FACES of the TECHNION continued

MARRIED TO THE TECHNION– AND TO EACH OTHER

GROWING UP AT THE TECHNION

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IT’S ALWAYS BEEN BROUGHT ME HOME THE TECHNION

I LOVED MILITARY SERVICE, BUT I LOVE MY LAB EVEN MORE Yoram Cedar Technion Guardian, Co-Founder, Omega Point; former EVP and CTO, SanDisk Corp.; Technion B.Sc. and M.Sc., Electrical Engineering and Computer Professor Eyal Gottlieb Associate Professor There are so Architecture Maria Khoury Salameh Director, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Simone Engelender The Technion is my second home. Ph.D. student in the Korin Lab, Metabolomics Center, Technion Integrated many Faces of Nitzan Krinsky “Growing up in Haifa, I frequently visited Cardiovascular Nanomedicine Engineering M.D. and Ph.D. from the Federal University of Rio de Cancer Center (inaugurated in November Ph.D. student in the Interdisciplinary the Technion campus, where my father, Janeiro (Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases– the Technion. 2016), Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Program for Biotechnology Professor Israel Cederbaum, was a “Ever since childhood, I’ve wanted to Rappaport Faculty of Medicine) Share your story pioneering member and Dean of the study at the Technion. I studied physics and I was going to be a veterinarian, but when As a biotech research undergraduate electronics in high school in Haifa, and it We started dating when we were 13 and 14. We grew Faculty of Electrical Engineering. “I got a taste of research I was instantly hooked. “student, I loved the lab life. Then I went into was a natural step for me to apply to the “up together in the same Brazilian Jewish community, or read more at My childhood memories are filled with I got into cancer research during my master’s the army and served for six years. At the end Technion. I chose biomedical engineering attended the same Zionist youth movement and studied faculty events and holiday celebrations. and doctoral degrees in the early ’90s. My of my service I had to decide whether to pursue and felt right at home as soon as I entered. medicine at the same university. We did our Ph.D.s in the www.ats.org/faces. My wife Zahava and I were married at journey then led to postdoc appointments at a military career or return to academia—a I felt that I belonged. The more I studied, same lab. We both chose research over practicing medicine the Technion. For me and for my family, the University of Chicago and the University of big dilemma. I decided that continuing at the the more I discovered that knowledge was as we love innovation, and continued for postdocs at Johns the Technion was not only an academic Pennsylvania, where I began to focus on cancer Technion was a great opportunity for me. In unlimited. At the same time, I learned to Hopkins. We both became neuroscientists, but our labs are journey, it has been an amazing life metabolism. Professor Avi Schroeder’s research group, believe in myself. This humbling experience entirely separate. We immigrated to Israel 15 years ago journey, and the faculty have been my There was great interest in the U.K. in cancer we’re developing therapeutic particles which extended family. motivated me to study more and to work and have been at the Technion ever since. serve as ‘factories’ capable of producing harder. research. I landed a position at the Beatson ” The seeds for my career were planted medicine inside a patient’s body. Institute in Glasgow, pioneering cancer Professor Herman Wolosker during my childhood and teenage years. I had a great advisor, a Ph.D. researcher metabolism—a combination of chemistry and I still serve in the reserves, but my decision to My summer fun was working at the named Netanel Korin. But while I con- molecular biology. It was a good decision, M.D. and Ph.D. from the Federal University of Rio de pursue my dream, to become a scientist, was Technion Digital Design Lab, the first of tinued for an M.Sc. in biomedical personally and professionally. But we Israelis Janeiro (Laboratory of Molecular Neurosciences right for me. Lab work can be daunting when its kind in Israel. My love for electronics engineering, he left for a postdoc at always keep our eyes open for options to come Rappaport Faculty of Medicine) and Coordinator, Prince things don’t work so easily. Which is why when and engineering started in those days. I Harvard. After my master’s, I worked at back home. Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Brain they do—it’s so amazing! You’ve been trying was fascinated by science and inspired the Faculty of Medicine then decided to to do something for weeks or even months, you continue for a Ph.D. At that point, Prof. Two years ago, my son decided to return to We both spoke at the same conference in Eilat. Whoever by technology and innovation. It was make a little change, try again, then one day Korin was back at the Technion as a faculty Israel. This took place just as Professors “wasn’t lecturing was in the pool with the kids (four and my formative years at the Technion it does what it was supposed to do and you get member and I became the first Ph.D. Aaron Ciechanover and Ze’ev Ronai invited one on the way). We are a sort of living experiment. We’re that shaped my character, interests and the result you were hoping for! It is a feeling student in his newly established lab. me to establish a metabolomics center at the the same age, with the exact same background, so we’re professional aspirations. My commitment ” Technion. I was delighted for the opportunity perfectly positioned to see how society approaches women of great accomplishment.” to the Technion and to Israel is long to find something I believed in and to return to differently. This certainly enriches both of us and improves lasting.” my hometown.” the way we educate the children.”

18 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 19 A GAME CHANGER FOR ISRAEL: QUANTUM SCIENCE Experts from as far away as Germany, France, Canada and An Astronomical Season the U.S. flocked to Haifa last High-profile international forums at the Technion June for the inauguration of the Technion Center for Quantum attract top scholars and scientists Science, Matter and Engineer- ing. The university marked the occasion with the Mark and ome summertime, most Diane Seiden International Sym- folks head to the beach, posium on Quantum Science, lake or mountains. But Matter and Engineering. Twelve for hundreds of the world’s most leading international scientists, Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, above left, led a stellar crew of Space U. experts at SSP16, influential scientists, the Tech- including Harvey Prize winner nion was last summer’s hot des- which brought together more than 100 space enthusiasts from 24 countries. Quantum Symposium organizers (above, l–r) Prof. Meir Orenstein and Distingished Immanuel Block of the Max tination. From the microscopic Prof. Moti Segev with Profs. Uri Sivan and Gadi Eisenstein. Planck Institute, joined experts frontiers of genetics and quan- from the Technion and the Weiz- tum physics to the vast reaches A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S GENES The conference “brought a mann Institute for this event, of space exploration, the Tech- Meanwhile, some of the world’s fresh slant to the study of geneti- organized by Professors Gadi nion’s growing global reputation leading geneticists, clinicians and cally isolated populations,” Eisenstein, Moti Segev and Meir was dramatically spotlighted as policymakers gathered in Haifa says Dr. Harry Ostrer of Albert Orenstein. the Haifa campus hosted an all- to examine “Lessons from the Einstein College of Medicine star lineup of research symposia. Jewish Genome.” Focusing on in New York. “It stood out for Ashkenazi Jews, it was the first the many discoveries in Israel SPACE IS THE PLACE and abroad, the opportunities Quantum international conference to look Activities in the new Tech- In a major first for the university for preventing diseases through at how ancient “founder” popula- nion Center focus on merging and for Israel, the Technion was expanded screening and the tions can deepen our understand- the fundamentals of quantum chosen as the launching pad possibilities for developing med- ing of biology and genetics. science with engineering prin- for SSP, the International Space icines” based on genetic data. Prodding experts to think ciples, and paving the way University’s Space Studies Pro- A follow-up conference is outside the box was just one toward new devices, systems gram—a two-month event never set for India next fall and will goal, explains conference founder and eventually practical quan- before held in the Middle East. examine the Asian genome— The Technion Dr. Gad Rennert, a professor in tum applications. “The field which, like the Ashkenazi, can the Technion’s Rappaport Fac- of sensing will receive special Center for shed important light on wider ulty of Medicine, renowned for attention because of its wide- Quantum populations. his research on breast cancer spread applied implications in Science will SpaceFest and related mutations. “More all spheres of life,” says Prof. “The decision to hold SSP16 tics pros, for an intense series of gravity and human performance important, our mission for the Eisenstein, head of the Tech- pave the way here was a tribute to the ongo- workshops exploring all aspects in space, to Israel’s role in the The Technion layperson is to change attitudes— nion’s Russell Berrie for new devices, ing excellence of the Technion of space programs and entrepre- space race and new data on the was the launch make genetics something that Nanotechnology Institute. systems and in space research and educa- neurial enterprises. “We were Martian environment. There empowers rather than fright- The Seiden Symposium pad for SSP16, tion,” says Professor Pini Gurfil, gratified to see students from was playtime, too, with teams practical ens. People are sitting home not brought together nanotech- the Inter- director of the Technion’s Asher 24 countries,” says Prof. Gurfil. competing to launch rockets and knowing their risk of disease. nology and photonics experts applications Space Research Institute—which As one of the world’s few build robots designed to explore national Space If we actively seek them out and with Technion information coordinated the Space Univer- universities with its own space alien surfaces. University’s test them, we could potentially scientists. Presenters debated sity visit with lunar-mission program, the Technion was a The sheer amount of detail in save lives.” Genome questions on such intriguing Space Studies precision.“We received unprec- natural to host the SSP, which shepherding such a large-scale “Lessons from the Attendees from more than a topics as the properties of Program edented exposure, both local and chooses a different location each event seemed astronomical at dozen countries included special- Jewish Genome” matter on a molecular level, international.” summer. “The Technion’s activi- first, Prof. Gurfil admits. Just ists from New York’s Memorial was the first inter- superconductivity, and With astronaut Buzz Aldrin— ties in space technology and arranging a live address from a Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, whether “the age of the quan- the second man to set foot on science were acknowledged by crew member aboard the Inter- national conference the head of the U.S. National tum computer” has arrived. “It’s the moon—leading a stellar leaders of the worldwide space national Space Station required to look at Human Genome Research Insti- very encouraging,“ says Physics crew of Space U. experts, SSP16 industry,” says Prof. Gurfil, extensive collaboration with tute, and prominent geneticists genetically isolated Professor David Gershoni, brought together more than 100 “which will lead to future col- NASA. But, he noted, SSP’s aca- from Oxford University and populations — “to see interest from renowned space enthusiasts, from young laborations on satellite projects.” demic director called this SSP16 Imperial College London. researchers in what is happen- postgrads to seasoned aeronau- SSP’s space troopers probed probably the most successful in and potentially ing at the Technion.” ■ topics ranging from artificial the program’s 30 years. save lives

20 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 21 The Israel-U.S. STEM Pipeline: Envisioned by Mortimer B. Zuckerman

Above (l–r) Mortimer B. s Chairman and Editor- multiple areas of science and Mr. Zuckerman is only the THE ZUCKERMAN POSTDOCTORAL Energy Program and is spend- who, having conducted his post- Zuckerman with In-Chief of U.S. News & World technology,” reads the citation 16th person to receive The SCHOLARS PROGRAM ing his scholarship year at MIT. doctoral work at MIT, joins the Postdoctoral Report, Mortimer B. Zuckerman for the award. Award-winning Technion Medal, which is One of two aspects of the initia- “Thanks to the Zuckerman Technion Department of Scholar Dr. Alon knows a thing or two about TV news anchor Paula Zahn reserved for those who have tive, this program will provide Scholarship, I am able to work Materials Science and Engineer- Grinberg Dana; global connectedness. The served as the evening’s Master of made extraordinary efforts the highest-achieving research- in the most stimulating research ing. “I do the science of small Mr. Zuckerman listening to the Technion became a benefi ciary Ceremonies. The event was co- to advance the Technion and ers from the U.S. and Israel the environment imaginable,” he things. But the smaller the “These programs tributes; Master of his vision in early 2016 when chaired by Caroline and James humanity. Previous recipients opportunity to study in one said at the November event, things being studied, the bigger of Ceremonies, he launched the Zuckerman will give high- Gertler, Eric Gertler, and Lauren include Qualcomm co-founder another’s countries. For the “collaborating with top research- the equipment needed,” says TV news anchor STEM Leadership Program—a achieving Israeli and John J. Veronis. and Technion supporter Irwin academic year 2016–2017, fi ve ers in my fi eld, and asking the Prof. Ivry, who collaborates with Paula Zahn. transformative initiative created and American “I’ve been passionate about M. Jacobs and former Technion Postdoctoral Scholars from the questions that will take energy the Russell Berrie Nanotech- to foster collaboration between Israel since high school. So I President Gen. (Res.) Amos U.S. and Canada are collabor- research to the next frontier.” nology Institute and the Grand scientists in the U.S. and Israel. researchers the was trying to think of a way Horev. ating with leading scientists at Technion Energy Program. THE ZUCKERMAN FACULTY The ATS applauded Mr. to benefi t not only Israel, but “We proudly honor Mort for the Technion as well as at The “We can’t always support that opportunity SCHOLARS PROGRAM Zuckerman at a dinner event the United States,” says Mr. his foresight and leadership in Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in Israel. The Zuckerman to study in each The second arm of the program in Manhattan in November, Zuckerman. “The idea was to building bridges between the and the STEM Program makes this infra- provides vital resources to the awarding him the Technion’s other’s countries have Israelis study at the high- U.S. and Israel through this Weizmann Institute of Sci- structure accessible to me, to four Israeli universities, allow- highest honor, The Technion and will allow est level of technology and sci- game-changing initiative,” says ence. Rounding out the research support my research.” ■ ing them to compete with Medal. “The Zuckerman STEM ence in America and vice versa, Technion President Professor exchange, four Zuckerman Israeli universi- elite American institutions. Leadership Program will have a for Americans in Israel. The Peretz Lavie. “Collaboration Postdoctoral Scholars from ties to compete Four Israeli 2016–2017 Faculty profound impact on the work of object is not just the intellectual and cooperation are crucial in Israel are studying in the U.S. Scholars who have been teach- the scholars involved, strengthen with elite U.S. accomplishments, but the hope today’s fast-paced world of One of them, Dr. Alon Grin- ing in the U.S. have returned to existing collaborations between institutions.” that they will establish connec- science. This is a win-win for berg Dana, conducted his doctoral professorships in Israel. One is the U.S. and Israel and pave the tions that are personal, profes- both countries.” studies in the Grand Technion –MORTIMER B. Assistant Professor Yachin Ivry, road to future cooperation across ZUCKERMAN sional and scientifi c. One plus one here equals three.”

22 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 23 children, attended a dedication ceremony on the site, then under Donor Spotlight construction. Every time they Inspired by Dad look at photos from the event, and Allen and Jewel Prince remember their return trip to tour Maurice and Hynda Gamze the then up-and-running labs, the Princes experience an emotional reward. “It was very exciting and emotional for us to see the end result,” says Jewel, who kept a ou don’t have to be a Technion alumnus or piece of yellow ribbon from the serialY philanthropist to pass on the value of higher construction days as a souvenir. education. Maurice “Maurie” Gamze loved Israel The couple’s excitement was and was an energy conservationist before the idea only surpassed by that of their was in vogue. That was enough for Hynda, his benefi ciaries. “We went from lab wife of 57 years, to honor him with a planned gift to lab and spoke with research- to the Technion—“tying his passion for engineer- ers and students,” says Allen. ing to philanthropy”—says their daughter Lisa “There was an outpouring of emo- Weinberger. When Maurie passed away in 2009 tion and enthusiasm, and it was at the age of 81, Hynda established The Maurice very heartfelt.” The experience G. Gamze Endowed Fellowship Fund to support brought such a sense of fulfi llment Technion students’ energy-related research for that the Princes strengthened years to come. their commitment. In 2013, they “Some people wait to give at the end of their lives, and others give while launched The Prince Center for living,” says Lisa. “I’m delighted that they gave a substantial part of their The Allen and Jewel Prince Neurodegenerative Disorders of estate to causes that were important to them. They instilled in me the real Molecular Immunology the Brain, which supports research roots of Judaism—good deeds—rather than a sense of entitlement,” says Lisa, Research Laboratory Complex who, with her husband, runs a private foundation that supports underserved under construction (above) on Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and and completed (right) other neurodegenerative diseases. communities. “Knowing this is a worldwide Maurie was a whiz kid who graduated high school at 16 and earned his issue, we felt that the Technion bachelor’s degree at Purdue University at 19. A principal in the engineering could make an impact in fi nding fi rm Gamze Korobkin Caloger, he was the innovator behind Energy Smart cures for these debilitating dis- Pricing, the nation’s fi rst real-time pricing plan for residential electricity. In eases.” In 2015, Allen was recog- his never-ending quest for energy effi ciency, he devised an elaborate home nized with a Technion Honorary system of programmable thermostats. “I was always freezing in our home,” Fellowship for his dedication and says Lisa. “But it was all in the name of conservation, which was his legacy.” commitment. Maurie was born in Mexico and grew up in Chicago. His father was a on medical research. To gain a become involved with the proj- This relationship has been a rabbi who established an Orthodox congregation and helped Jews immi- full picture of the university, they ect,” says Allen. true partnership. The university, grate to the U.S. after the Holocaust. “My dad was raised in a well-educated, decided to visit the Haifa campus. The Princes provided the the Princes say, is intent on ensur- socially responsible family,” says Lisa. Maurie and Hynda, who passed away “The university llen and Jewel Prince Their visit included stops funds to demolish and rebuild ing that their gifts are put to the in 2014, saw to it that Lisa and her two brothers studied for their bat and bar had been to Israel many times. at many research laboratories. the infrastructure, while other best use, and that they feel con- mitzvahs and observed the Jewish holidays. “My father made sure we went is intent on But it wasn’t until 2010 that they “We were interested in fi nding a donors outfi tted the individual nected to each and every project. through every single page of the Haggadah on Passover,” says Lisa. And he ensuring that heard about the Technion while project where we could make an laboratories. Today, the Princes “We’re thousands of miles away took the family to Israel twice. our gifts are having dinner with a neighbor impact,” says Jewel. “Once we are proud partners in The Allen from the laboratories, but every- It was there that his connection to the Technion evolved through his and a visiting professor in Boca got to the medical school, it was and Jewel Prince Molecular one makes us feel comfortable friendship with Lucien Bronicki, a member of the Technion Board of Gover- put to the best Raton, Fla. They were moved easy for us to agree on the fi eld of Immunology Research Labora- that our projects are being moni- nors and a Chairman of Ormat Technologies. Interested in Ormat-developed use. We feel by the professor’s personal story immunology because it affected tory Complex, in honor of their tored properly and our standards technologies, he helped Lucien on proposals for Ormat power units for two connected to and his research, and wanted to our grandson, and others with children and grandchildren. The are being met,” says Allen. “From projects in the U.S. Both were done with Israeli engineers, including Tech- each and learn more. Throughout the fol- immune issues.” complex houses six cutting-edge President (Peretz) Lavie on down, nion graduates. “The combination of doing something that was good for lowing year, they attended ATS They were shown a labora- labs focused on advancing our the faculty and students at the Israel with technologies that were dear to his heart led him to want to help every project.” programs and met other faculty tory that was in desperately in understanding of cancer, genet- Technion are very much involved young Israelis get a good education,” says Lucien. –ALLEN PRINCE members and students. With need of renovation, then taken to ics, infl ammatory diseases, aging in what’s happening on campus.” Upon retirement, Maurie worked to bring air conditioning to low- each encounter their interest a freshly equipped and updated and allergies. Jewel adds: “We feel like family, income residents in inner-city Chicago. “My father would be smiling now grew. They began to understand laboratory, which had been com- In June 2014, the Princes, and one is responsible to take care knowing that his gift to the Technion carries his passion forward,” says Lisa. the Technion’s role in strength- pletely transformed. “I saw what along with their three daughters, of one’s family.” ■ For more information on how you can make a difference, please contact Mark ening Israel, and its global effect could be done, and we decided to two sons-in-law and fi ve grand- Hefter, Associate Vice President, Planned Giving, at 212.407.6313 or [email protected].

24 2017 TECHNION USA TECHNION USA 2017 25 A World-Class University EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Published by the Built on Global Efforts JEFFREY RICHARD American Technion Society Zahava Bar-Nir Argentina President n 1923, Albert Einstein visited staff members. How do they do it? It’s all about Scott Leemaster I feel extremely fortunate that in my role I have the Chairman of the Board Australia the one building that was then the strategically identifying key relationships—and I opportunity to meet the many faces of the Technion. Whether Jeffrey Richard Technion. Despite its small size and investing in cultivating them. Technion Canada has created thriving part- it is listening to the spirited journey of a first-year student Executive Vice President lack of funds, its mission and vision Austria nerships with leading Canadian universities in over a cup of coffee or joining our rising Ph.D.s in their labs Tova Kantrowitz of offering Jewish students a world- diverse fields: University of Calgary in clean- as they discuss their complex research, I am in awe. The Senior Vice President, External Relations Belgium class education so impressed him tech; the University of Waterloo in quantum Technion’s sheer concentration of talent and passion is like Matthew Sudol that upon returning to Berlin, he information science, nanotechnology and water; nothing else I’ve seen in my career in higher education. and the Lassonde School of Engineering, which Director of Communications founded and chaired the world’s first and Public Relations / Editor Brazil sends students to the Technion to develop entre- My feeling of awe doesn’t end after leaving Technion society. preneurial skills. The society also focuses on the Haifa or New York City campuses. It Jennifer Frey Since then, the number of societies has “We are introducing outreach to Technion alumni (there are more actually grows stronger each time I meet Editor and Writer Canada grown to 20, and with the generosity of friends, than 600 living in Canada) and Generation NEXT. our new Technion with our alumni, lay leaders and especially Rebecca A. Fannin alumni and supporters worldwide, has helped Innovations such as ReWalk (assistive mobility our supporters. Each of you embody what Dafna Gold Melchior the Technion become the leading institution it Fund, which will Gary Rockfield France device for paraplegics); programs that are making it takes to help make the Technion a top 10 is today. Here’s an update on what’s going on in Contributing Writers a difference, like Engineers Without Borders; and help ensure that global institution. As Technion President three Technion societies around the globe. cutting-edge disciplines including nanotechnol- Professor Peretz Lavie says, leading univer- Yvette Gershon Germany sities need three things: excellent students, Editorial Consultant ISRAEL ogy and biomedicine, are some of the Technion all supporters top faculty and a sense of mission. We are Efrat Marag THE ISRAEL FRIENDS OF TECHNION (IFT) recruited successes that energize these groups. have access to setting our sights unbelievably high: Jeff Weiner Greece 17 alumni to its Executive Board last year. FRANCE curing cancer, revolutionizing technology Filip Wolag Led by Chairman Hagai Shalom and CEO Ofer a broad array of Nitzan Zohar A relative newcomer to the Technion family, and extending human life by decades. Simchony, IFT has broadened its supporter Major Photography Hong Kong TECHNION FRANCE, founded in 2002, prides opportunities All of this is possible. And it is possible base through its new annual giving program. Ellen Shapiro itself on doing things differently. Rather than because of you. Targeting the 1,000 most successful Technion for engagement Visual Language LLC employing the usual fundraising approach, based You are one of the faces of the Technion. Israel alumni, IFT is building relationships with high- Graphic Design largely on targeting the Jewish community, at all levels.” You are a Technion brand ambassador whose net-worth alumni, bringing in its first recurring National Office Director Muriel Touaty has found a more direct voice and influence extends far beyond your gifts earlier this year. Rafi Mehoudar, a Technion 55 East 59th Street Italy path that works well for modern-day France. community. And it is through your own words to your network of friends, fam- graduate and “the father of commercial drip New York, NY 10022 Because many large, public companies are inter- ily and colleagues that we will be able to Tel 212.407.6300 irrigation,” recently made a major contribution ested in cutting-edge R&D and innovation, the expand our supporter base. Fax 212.753.2925 Japan toward establishing the Mehoudar Innovation [email protected] society seeks them out and arranges events that We cannot succeed without your help. “You may Center, which will nurture Israel’s future inven- reflect their area of interest. To that end, we are introducing our new To connect with the tors and entrepreneurs. In a second initiative to choose ATS in your area, visit Mexico Leading companies such as L’Oreal, the phar- Technion Fund, which will help ensure develop alumni support, founders of startups www.ats.org/offices maceutical giant Sanofi S.A., and the advertis- that our supporters have access to a broad to allocate who might not be currently capable of giving or read online at ing and communications multinational Havas array of opportunities for engagement at www.ats.org/technionusa are asked to consider allocating stock options your gift Monaco Group have sponsored Technion France galas, all levels. You may choose to allocate your that would be exercised if their company is classical concerts, colloquiums and other high- gift to one of the following focus areas: successful. Finally, IFT is expanding its outreach to a personally ONLINE GIVING profile gatherings. Medical tech, artificial intel- Student Support, Defense, Biomedicine, IS EASY! Netherlands to multinationals in Israel, which have long ligence, smart cities and energy are among the Faculty Support, Sustainability, and Inter- meaningful Make your online been supporting the Technion with scholarships, gift to the American most popular topics. In addition, high-ranking national Collaborations. The Technion research programs and diversity initiatives. focus area.” Technion Society on Sweden government ministers, and even the President Fund supports the entire ecosystem neces- Apple is one of its newest recruits. our secure website. of France, have backed society events. The sary to maintain the Technion’s distinctive Go to www.ats.org and CANADA society also partners with private companies, strengths. click on the “Make Switzerland a Gift” button. You Much like the Technion itself, TECHNION which have supported the Technion through So, yes, share your stories about the can even arrange for CANADA, established in 1943, seems to be moti- R&D funding, fellowships, grants and other Technion. Pass along this magazine and that last article you read about a Tech- monthly charges to U.K. vated by challenges. Based in a vast country investments. nion innovation. And please help us get the word out about the new Technion your credit card. You Fund. You are the key to inspiring and engaging more Technion supporters. can also make gifts in characterized by diverse cultures, the society If you would like to learn more about Technion societies memory of or in tribute U.S.A. accomplishes incredible feats with only four around the world, please contact [email protected]. Please visit www.ats.org/TechnionFund to donate now. to a loved one.

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NEW YORK: CORNELL TECH, HOME TO THE JOAN & IRWIN JACOBS TECHNION-CORNELL INSTITUTE

This year, the new Cornell Tech campus, home to the Jacobs Technion- Cornell Institute, will be opening for classes—and our tour will include a VIP visit to this cutting- edge university. In 2018, the tour will continue in China for an enlightening experience at the Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology. To register and learn more, visit www.technionworldtour.org

CHINA : GUANGDONG TECHNION ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY