Lina Afad-al Taim | Biotechnology (B.Sc.), 2022

From a first-generation student who didn’t speak Hebrew to an ALS researcher at Hadassah Ein Kerem — JMC alumna Lina Afad-al Taim has built her career on perseverance.

Lina grew up in Shuafat, the eldest of five children and the first in her family to pursue higher education. When her test scores fell short of Hebrew University’s requirements, she didn’t give up on her dream of academia. Instead, she turned to JMC’s pre-academic preparatory program (mechina), where she began learning Hebrew from scratch. The teachers, she recalls, were fantastic and helped her every step of the way.

JMC took a chance on Lina, recognized her potential, and she made the most of it. Drawn to the world of biology, she went on to study Biotechnology and was an honors student all three years. The first semester was especially challenging, as she navigated a new language and culture, along with the disruption of COVID-19. Her solution was to take careful notes and write a summary of every lesson. During her studies, she also worked for six months at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Lina’s strong foundation at JMC opened the door to the next step. Upon graduation, the head of her department wrote a letter to the Weizmann Institute on her behalf, and she was accepted to its two-year master’s program in Biology, with a focus on Immunology. Having already built a solid base in her field, in a warm and supportive environment, she describes the transition as a natural one.

Today, Lina works in clinical research at Hadassah Ein Kerem, where she focuses on ALS research, among other areas. Her work helps pharmaceutical companies develop more effective medicines, making a difference in the lives of patients today and in the future. Her dream is to continue building her career in the biotech industry.

Looking back, Lina is most proud of learning Hebrew and completing her degree in a language that was once foreign to her. Her family, who always pushed her to succeed, supported her throughout. Her advice to current students: “Learn everything by yourself, don’t rely on others, and ask questions when you don’t understand.”

We are proud to spotlight Lina Afad-al Taim — a member of the JMC alumni community whose journey reflects determination, resilience, and real-world impact.