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Holocaust survivor's gift battles brain drain

Jewish philanthropist's million-dollar donation helps nine returning scholars to continue research in Israel

Nine Israeli PhD students have received a total of $1 million in scholarships – courtesy of Jewish philanthropist Marcel Adams, a Holocaust survivor, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

 

The young scientists have received the fellowship upon returning to Israel, after completing studies at prestigious schools in US, including Harvard and MIT. Adams has so far doled out funding to 75 returning scholars. The 92-year-old made aliyah from Romania after World War II and fought in the War of Independence before relocating to Canada and becoming a successful real estate entrepreneur.

 

At a ceremony held in honor of the fellows on Sunday, Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities President Ruth Arnon warned against the dreaded brain drain phenomenon, calling on Israeli scientists to return home.

 

Each scholar has received $100,000 and was exempted from tuition.

 

Among the new fellows is Miri Krupkin, a 24-year-old PhD candidate who is researching ribosome structure under Professor Ada Yonath, a chemistry Nobel laureate. Krupkin, who made aliyah from Russia as an infant, is considered one of Yonath's prodigies.

 

Another recipient, David Tsivion, is an F-16 pilot who each year serves 60 days in the Air Force Reserves. Tsivion, whose research has been published in Science Magazine, is on the direct PhD track at the Weizmann Institute and is studying the field of nanotechnology.

 

Also among the scholars is Amit Daniely, 27, a Hebrew University mathematics PhD candidate, who left a promising career in high-tech to pursue his doctorate.

 

Another Adams fellow, Tslil Ast, is researching molecular genetics at the Weizmann Institute. The 26-year-old has already published eight articles at science journals.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.22.12, 07:33
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