Research Centers Update: Activities, Conferences, and New Partnerships

Research Centers: Activities, Conferences, and New Collaborations

The Faculty's Research Centers continue to foster scientific engagement through professional meetings, webinars, and conferences that bring together researchers from the Faculty, affiliated hospitals, and the wider community. These activities provide opportunities to present research, discuss clinical and scientific challenges, and develop new collaborations.

Research Center Webinar Series

One of the key initiatives supporting ongoing interaction among Research Center members is the Faculty's webinar series. In July, the Center for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Research hosted a webinar featuring two engaging presentations by Center members: Prof. Zahar Armaly, Head of Nephrology at EMMS Nazareth Hospital, and Rani Weiner, a doctoral student supervised by Prof. Shaul Atar (Galilee Medical Center) and Prof. Nir Kivity (Azrieli Faculty of Medicine). The presentations highlighted both clinical and preclinical research, emphasizing the importance of connecting laboratory discoveries with patient care. A professional discussion followed the talks.

The series will continue in the coming months with webinars organized by the Center for Genetic Diseases and Cancer Research, the Center for Women's Health Research, and the Center for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Research. These sessions will showcase ongoing research and clinical challenges while creating opportunities for networking and future collaborations.

Details and registration for the Center for Genetic Diseases and Cancer Research webinar

Ran Madin Research Grants: Second Call for Proposals

In May, the second call for applications to the Ran Madin Research Grants Program was launched. The grants are designed to promote collaborative research between Faculty investigators and clinicians. As in the first round, proposals were submitted from a wide range of disciplines, with several emerging directly from connections and collaborations established through Research Center activities.

The proposals are currently undergoing review by a Faculty committee based on scientific excellence and their potential to advance clinically meaningful translational research. Award recipients will be announced in the coming months.

Two International Conferences Coming to the Faculty on October 25

The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine is proud to participate in Mind-IL, a nationwide initiative bringing together dozens of academic conferences across Israel to strengthen connections between researchers from Israel and abroad.

As part of this initiative, the Faculty will host two international conferences on October 25, 2026:

• Brain-Mind Conference, focusing on innovative research at the intersection of brain, body, and mind.
• Microbiome Conference, highlighting cutting-edge studies on the role of microbial communities in health and disease and the complex interactions between the microbiome and the human body.

The conferences will bring together leading researchers from a broad range of disciplines alongside scientists from Israel and around the world.

Brain-Mind Conference
Microbiome Conference

New Initiatives Across the Research Centers

Within the Center for Genetic Diseases and Cancer Research, plans are underway to establish a new Lung Cancer Research Sub-Center, led by Prof. Uri Wiesel, thoracic surgeon and Head of Thoracic Surgery at North Medical Center. The initiative aims to bring together researchers and clinicians around a topic of major clinical importance while strengthening links between regional healthcare needs and the Faculty's research capabilities.

The Center for Public and Environmental Health Research is also expanding its activities. As part of its upcoming program, North Medical Center will host Center members for a professional meeting featuring presentations, networking opportunities, and knowledge exchange.

We encourage all Research Center members to remain actively involved, present their work, connect with new colleagues, and identify opportunities for collaboration. Together, we continue to build a vibrant research network that connects the Faculty, hospitals, and the broader community, translating these partnerships into impactful research that benefits the health of communities across the Galilee.