Personal Details:

Born 1943, Yemen; immigrated to Israel (Operation Magic Carpet, 1949); Military
Service; (1963 – 1966); Married (1967); Three children (1969, 1972, 1979).

Main Research Interests

Prevention of cancer and diabetes by dietary fibers and functional foods. Dietary manipulations and their effects on transcription factors, protein activity and expression. Effect of antioxidants and phytochemical rich plant extracts in diabetes. Nitric oxide synthase in various metabolic disorders (diabetes, asthma). Effect of olive oil on breast cancer development in mothers and offspring. Diet and insulin signaling pathways. Lipotoxicity and redox balance in the liver (hepatocytes) and macrophages. Diet and adiponectin signaling pathways (AMPK).

Education

B.Sc.(1971); M.Sc.in Biochemistry (with honors, 1973); Ph.D. in Biochemistry
(1978). All three degrees were granted by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Professional Employment

• The Hebrew University of Jerusalem:
  Lecturer (School of Nutritional Sciences) of Physiology and Biochemistry of Human Nutrition; Senior lecturer of Biochemistry and Nutrition (1984),
  Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Nutrition (1990),
  Full Professor (1994);
  Director – School of Nutritional Sciences (1987 – 1993 and 1997– 2001);
  Chairman (2002–present) Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition.

• Universities and Research Institutes Overseas:
  Post doctorate, Internal Medicine, Yale University, Medical School, New Haven, Connecticut (1978 – 1980);
  Visiting Scientist in Stehilin Foundation, Houston, Texas (1980);
  National Institutes of Health, Section of Intermediary NIAMDD, Bethesda, Maryland (1980).
  Visiting Associate Research Endocrinologist, University of California, San Diego Medical Center with Prof. J.M. Olefsky, Department of Medicine (1984 – 1985);
  Visiting Associate Research Endocrinologist, University of California San Diego Medical Center with Prof. J.M. Olefsky, Department of Medicine (1986).
  Visiting Associate Research Scientist, The Eye & Ear Institute of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1987).
  Visiting Prof. Department of Medicine, Medical Center UC San Diego. (1990 – 1991).
  Visiting Prof.– Karolinska Hospital Department of Clinical Physiology (1996),Sweden.
  Scientific Consultant, Amylin Company, San Diego, California (2001 – 2002).
  Visiting professor. Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Department of Nutritional Science 2007; 6 months).

Honors and Awards

Awarded prize in excellence from the "Geura Yashensky” Foundation of the Hebrew University (1978).
Lady Davis Fellow (1978). Israel Endocrine Society Prize; 
best Abstract for Clinical Research (1991). Honorary award from the Israeli Cardiology. 
Association (1994). The Karl Bach Chair in Agricultural Biochemistry (2004).

Editorial Activities

Editor–in–Chief, Nutritional Section "HRAREFUAH" Journal of the Israel Medical Association. Member of the editorial board of the “Journal of Food and Nutrition” (1999–)

Other Professional Activities (selected):

1. Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem:
   Member, Teaching Committee, School of Nutrition (1994, 1989 – 1992).Chairman, Animal Care Committee (1989 – 1991). Chairman, Advancement of Laboratory Technicians Committee (1994); Chairman Interdepartmental Equipment Committee (1994). Member of the Executive Committee of the Library Authority (2003–) Member of several nomination (appointment) committees.
2. International Professional Societies and Organizations:
   Membership in Scientific Societies: EASD (European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
   ADA (American Diabetes Association). Israel Diabetes Association Xl International Congress of Dietetics.
   BARD– Binational Agricultural Research Foundation–Final Committee.
   Organizing Committee:
   5th International Congress of Obesity 1998
   VII International Symposium on Insulin Receptors and Insulin Action: Molecular and Clinical Aspects, May 16–20, 1998, Jerusalem Israel Diabetes, Insulin Resistance and Obesity – New Molecular Targets for Therapy, May 21–24, 1998, Tel Aviv and Dead Sea, Israel EASD 2000, 36th Annual Meeting European Association for the Study of Diabetes 25th ESPEN Congress (2003)
3. National Professional Societies, Organization and Governmental Committees:
   Nominated as an Israeli representative for the WHO (World Health Organization, 1989).
   Israeli representative for IUNS (International Union of Nutritional Sciences, 1991). Head of Nutrition Group (Ministry of Health) – nutritional recommendations for diabetes (1993);
   Research Committee for Diabetes (1989 – 1991);
   Member of Food and Nutrition Committee – Ministry of Industry (1994).
   Committee Member, Israeli Heart to Heart Association (1990 – 2000).
   Committee Member, Creative Science – Ministry of Science (1997) Member, Directorate of The Joint Program for Jewish Education (1997 – 2002)
   Chairman, Directorate of Airline Food Services (1997 – 2001)
   Member, Committee for the Israel Prize (1997) 
   Member, Committee for the Israel Prize (2006)
   Member and Vice Chairmen of National Biotechnology Committee (2003 – 2005) Member of Scientific Committee– Danone Institute (2000 – 2007)
   Chairmen– Scientific Council– Hemdat Hadarom College for Education in Jewish Studies Science and Humanities (2003–present)
   Member, Committee for new academic immigrants–
4. Reviewer:
   1. Israel Academy of Science;
   2. Ministry of Agriculture –Volcani Center;
   3. Israel Cancer Association;
   4. Israeli Ministry of Health.
   5. German–Israeli Foundation for Research & Development (GIF);
   6. Israeli Ministry of Science;
   7. The U.S–Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF);
   8. US–Israel Agricultural Research & Development Fund (BARD).
   9. Health Research Council of New Zealand .Invited reviewer For F1000 medicine (endocrinology and diabetes)
5. Publications

• 136 peer review papers
• 4 proceedings
• 3 books