Contact List

Avital Swisa is a researcher specializing in human genetics and epigenetics.

She has extensive research experience in biochemistry, metabolism, developmental biology, genetics, and epigenetics. Avital possesses strong skills in computational genomics. During her postdoctoral research at UPenn, Avital investigated the epigenetic regulation of the gut epithelium and the relationship between the gut microbiome and host genetics. 

Avital holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University. Her research primarily focused on pancreatic beta cell dynamics and diabetes. Her significant findings have been published in high-impact scientific journals, and she has been awarded prestigious scholarships such as the Arien De-Rotchild and Adams fellowships.

Avital has served as a teaching assistant in biochemistry classes at Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College and the Hebrew University.

Dr. Racheli Wakshlak obtained her PhD in Chemistry from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and specializes in materials science, particularly in ceramic and glass materials.

Her research focuses on the intersection of chemistry and materials science with the realms of craft, art, and design. According to Dr. Wakshlak, adopting an interdisciplinary approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of processes and phenomena, leading to novel discoveries that may not emerge within individual disciplines.

In her current research, she explores the Implementation of advanced ceramic materials technology into traditional ceramics and glass production methods. Specifically, she is developing kiln-free glasses and glazes using the sol-gel technology, thereby expanding the range of colors and effects that can be achieved.
Her objective is to revolutionize traditional creative practices by introducing innovative solutions to address environmental challenges such as the climate crisis, energy scarcity, and the toxicity of metal colorants. These issues pose significant obstacles to traditional practices, necessitating adaptation and change within the artisanal and industrial sectors.

Dr. Wakshlak is a lecturer of various courses at Jerusalem multidisciplinary College including Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, and of Ceramic and Glass Technology courses at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.

Dr.  Saleh Abu-Raya Obtained his B.Sc. degree (in Biology), M.Sc. (Endocrinology), and PhD (Pharmacology), from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Dr. Abu-Raya teaches several courses at Hadassah Academic college since 2000  as part of the graduate programs, in the Department of Optometry: ( General Pharmacology, Ocular Pharmacology), Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences: (Pharmacology, Endocrinology, Seminar), Department of Biotechnology: (Pharmacology and Drug Metabolism, Physiology of the Endocrine System).

Other Activities of Dr. Abu-Raya at Hadassah Academic College: 

• Member of the Teaching Committee of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department
• Academic advisor for third year students in the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department
• Academic advisor for students from Arab society

Dr. Abu-Raya has published many papers in the international scientific journals on the fields of: 

1)Phospholipase A2 and their involvement in exocytosis in PC12 cells.

2)Synthesis and release of prostaglandis under ischemic conditions.

3)  the neuroprotective effect of  Rasagiline, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, on 

NGF-differentiated PC12 cells against oxygen-glucose deprivation.

Contact: saleh@jmc.ac.il