Bar-Ilan University’s students and alumni are successful, well-rounded, and high achievers. Not only have they received various honors, but they have also contributed to society in a variety of ways. Meet two of our current students and two alumni.
Sara Meir, MSc in Engineering
Sara Meir is a Master’s student in BIU’s Kofkin Faculty of Engineering. Recently, she was awarded the coveted 2022 Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, for her potential contribution to the field of optics.
Sara conducts her research in the lab of Prof. Moti Fridman where she studies quantum and temporal optics with a focus on temporal interferometry for measuring ultrafast phase shifts. She is the co-author of five papers, one of which is on quantum correlated beams, and has presented her research at both SPIE Photonics West and SPIE Photonics Europe.
“I would like to thank Prof. Moti Fridman, my supervisor for the last four years, and my lab partners, for the encouragement to learn and succeed, and for the opportunity to begin my research at such an early stage of my Bachelor’s degree,” Sara said.
“I would also like to thank the supportive and professional team of the Faculty of Engineering, in which I really enjoy conducting my research, studying, and teaching. Finally, I would like to thank SPIE for the confidence and encouragement to continue advancing the field of optics,” she said.
Hilah Clara Honig, PhD in the Chemistry Department
Hilah Clara Honig is a PhD student in BIU’s Chemistry Department. She researches catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells in the field of renewable energy.
Hilah represented BIU at the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting held recently in Germany, where 30 Nobel Laureates met with some 600 young scientists from around the world.
“It’s a rare meeting that only happens once every few years,” Hilah said. “I was privileged to meet talented researchers, discuss science with those who have already achieved so much, and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Alongside her research in the laboratory of Prof. Lior Elbaz at Bar-Ilan’s Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials (BINA), Hilah presents “magic” shows based on scientific phenomena to the university’s Youth Academic Center, where the youth learn about the science behind the illusions.
“It’s really fun to see the things that I’m researching progress and occur in reality: hydrogen refueling stations that are being built in Israel; a recent import of trucks powered by fuel cells; and a glider that runs on fuel cells that we fly over the nanotechnology building from time to time. The future is really here and we are having an impact on it,” Hilah said.
Hilah plans to continue her career in academia. “The combination of research alongside teaching, together with constantly meeting new people, is something a university makes possible.”
Dr. Kim Attali, Graduate, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Kim Attali, a graduate of BIU’s Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in Safed (Tsfat), serves as a physician in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Kim grew up in France where she completed three years of medical school before following her dream and moving to Israel. In Israel, she continued her studies at BIU’s medical school and then completed her residency at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem.
When Kim immigrated to Israel, she was disappointed to learn that she wouldn’t be drafted into the IDF because she was a medical student and nearly 21 years old (draftees are typically 18).
In light of this, she promised herself that she would one day find a way to give back. After her residency, she fulfilled that promise and is now serving as a physician in the IDF. In August, she will take a new step in her career as she begins the IDF Medical Corps officer’s course.
Dr. Arie Jaffe, Graduate, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Arie Jaffe is a graduate of BIU’s Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in Safed (Tsfat). He works as a gynecologist specializing in fetal surgery, something he loves and feels is incredibly rewarding.
“A delivery room is the happiest place in the hospital and that’s the reason I entered this field, which combines internal medicine and surgical skills,” he said.
“I’m a graduate of the first three-year track program of Bar-Ilan’s Faculty of Medicine. In addition, I’m a United Hatzalah volunteer in the motorcycle ambulance unit and even have a portable ultrasound device to assist with home births and to evaluate the conditions of patients and trauma victims.”
Arie works at Meuhedet Health Services, one of Israel’s main HMOs. He says he chose to study medicine because of a desire to help. “Already as a child, I volunteered in MDA, Israel’s national emergency medical service, and I wanted to become a paramedic and then a doctor. Today, the combination of working at a hospital and an HMO while volunteering in United Hatzalah balances out my aspirations in the field of medicine.”
His time at BIU’s Faculty of Medicine in Safed was among the significant events that left a mark on him, which included the residential experience. “The campus’ distance from the center of Israel created a full and active community life like in college abroad. I made friends for life.”
