MAY 2010 NEWSLETTER

Visiting Technion Professors Discuss Groundbreaking Research and Discoveries During 2009-2010 Season

A world leader in the fight against autoimmune diseases...a genuine “rocket scientist” and expert on Israel’s missile defense...an explorer of the Big Bang theory...a Major General who helped conquer the road to Jerusalem...a visionary who is paving the way for tomorrow’s safer and more efficient operating rooms...the American Technion Society’s South Palm Beach Chapter welcomed an impressive slate of Technion speakers during the 2009-2010 season.  Each speaker presented an enlightening glimpse into the cutting-edge research taking place every day at Israel’s premier science and technology university.

In November, we welcomed Professor Benny Natan from the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (Israel’s sole source of aerospace development), who presented “Sometimes It Takes A Rocket Scientist – the Newest Developments of Israel’s Missile Defense Systems.”  Prof. Natan discussed the latest in Israel’s national missile defense systems, as well as his own research into the development of extraordinary gel propellants that will pave the way for quicker, more accurate rockets and ramjet engines.  In the months since Prof. Natan’s visit, Israel’s missile defense has become an even bigger national security priority, with increased threats of attacks from Hezbollah and Iran.  Prof. Natan’s research is vital for the production of accurate, efficient rockets to defend against these and other threats.

In December, Professor Nathan Karin from the Faculty of Medicine presented “The Fight Against Autoimmune Diseases: Strengthening Our Natural Protection Against Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Others.”  In captivating detail, Prof. Karin explained how Technion scientists have achieved significant medical breakthroughs by learning how the immune system attacks its enemies, developing vaccines that magnify its healing qualities, and using antibodies as a tool for discovering novel therapy targets.  Prof. Karin’s sophisticated research is helping to combat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Crohn’s disease, and even cancer.

Dr. Yoram Rozen, a physics professor, visited the chapter in January to discuss the Technion’s crucial involvement in the $9 Billion “ATLAS Experiment.” As depicted in a key scene from the Tom Hanks movie Angels & Demons, the Geneva-based experiment fires particles into a huge circular tunnel from opposite directions, making them collide head-on at nearly the speed of light.  In his fascinating presentation “The Search for the God Particle: Recreating the ‘Big Bang’”, Dr. Rozen introduced the monumental experiment, and explained how his team developed the technology which improved the efficiency of particle collision analysis, helping to better monitor the nearly 40 million collisions occurring every second.  The ATLAS Experiment will ultimately enlighten us about the basic forces that have shaped our universe since the beginning of time, including the origin of mass, extra dimensions of space, unification of fundamental forces, and evidence for dark matter candidates in the universe.

The heart of the Technion is its 12,500 undergraduate and graduate students, who constantly push the boundaries of science.  Each year, the chapter has the pleasure of hosting a delegation of Technion students and a professor; a major highlight of the season.  In March, the chapter was delighted to welcome Dekel Dado (a graduate student studying Biomedical Engineering) and Daniel Tzidony (an undergraduate student from the Faculty of Computer Science), as well as Prof. Michael Lindenbaum, also from the Faculty of Computer Science.  The three visitors spoke eloquently about their respective personal histories and aspirations.  Most importantly, each discussed the significant role the Technion plays in their lives, and in the development of science and technology in Israel.

Later in March, former Technion president Major General Amos Horev visited the chapter, for a special reception hosted by Shirlee Jacobs.  Gen. Horev is a true Israeli war hero who served as president of the Technion from 1973 to 1982.  During his term as president, the Technion underwent significant growth and development, creating a firm foundation for its current standing as a world-class scientific and technological university.  Gen. Horev discussed his fascinating life history, his tenure as president, and his vision for Israel’s future, as a beacon for scientific discovery and technological advancement - driven by the Technion.

At its April event, the chapter welcomed Dr. Noemi Bitterman from the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, who presented “The Operating Room of the Future”.  Her extraordinary presentation showcased the evolution of the surgical theatre, and the challenge modern surgeons face with the clutter and congestion caused by equipment, wires, tubes, and lines - often referred to as the “spaghetti syndrome.”  She then presented her team’s vision of the operating room of the future; featuring a self-contained, “built-in” operating table that places equipment, lines and wires much closer to the patient, and uses intermittent service floors above or below the room to store larger equipment.  Dr. Bitterman’s visionary new concepts will greatly enhance the speed, efficiency, and safety of future surgeries.

“It is so exciting to learn about the groundbreaking research and development underway at the Technion, and to share the excitement of these miracles with friends, family, and neighbors,” said Stanley H. Sussman, president of the ATS-South Palm Beach Chapter.  “It was a pleasure to welcome these speakers to our region, and to simply sit back and be amazed by the depths of their creativity, brilliance, and passion for discovery.”

For more information about these speakers, events, or areas of Technion research, please contact Jessica Feldan, director of the ATS-South Palm Beach Chapter, at 561-395-7206 or Jessica@ats.org.

Experience The Wonder Behind Israel’s High-Tech and Economic Revolution – Up Close and First-Hand

If you have ever been on an Israel mission, or have never been but are considering one, the American Technion Society (ATS) presents a mission like no other.  Discovery 2010 is the ONLY Israel mission offering first-hand exposure to the nation’s cutting-edge technology, introducing participants to captains of industry, business incubators, and research and development centers.  This mission is specifically designed for busy, forward-thinking individuals interested in learning about technology and the economic development that is helping to shape the world.

Scheduled for November 6 - 12, 2010, this fast-paced, highly focused, and dynamic program allows participants to discover this fascinating perspective of Israel in just five days and four nights.  (Participants have the option of extending their trip.)

At the core of the mission – and of Israel’s groundbreaking technological achievements – lies the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology; Israel's premier scientific and technological university.

Highlights of the mission may include:

The Technion Campus

•    Visiting the Technion campus and seeing the impressive facilities and laboratories.  Meetings with brilliant Technion professors and students, and discovering how research in fields as diverse as aerospace engineering, life sciences, nanotechnology, water resources and the Technion's Energy Program (TEP) are changing the face of Israel and laying the foundations for stability and peace in the region. 

•    Visiting the Technion's Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine for an up-close tour of labs that showcase cutting-edge biomedical research and stem cell technology. 

•    Discovering the many successes in the Technion pathway - from laboratory to marketplace - which fuels Israel's high-tech industries.

•    Tour world-renowned research and development centers, and meet with captains of industry.

•    Seeing TEIC (Technion's Entrepreneurial Incubator Company) and hearing how Israeli industry and Technion scientists help guide TEIC projects in partnership with the ATS and the Israeli government.

•    Learning about the one-third of Israeli high-tech companies on the NASDAQ.

•    Experiencing behind-the-scenes tours of Israel's defense industry, and learn about new technology and research developments.

Our visit will conclude with a day and night in Jerusalem, where we will discover some of the many facets of this eternal city, from the complexities and challenges of the Israeli government, to the country's vibrant economy, the Western Wall and newly unearthed secrets of ancient Israel and Judaism.  Experts from the worlds of politics, high-tech, business, and economics will share their expertise throughout our journey as we discover the Israel of today and tomorrow.

For more information about Discovery 2010, please contact Jessica Feldan, director of the ATS- South Palm Beach Chapter at 561-395-7206 or Jessica@ats.org

A recent image of the Graduate Student Village

Construction Begins On Graduate Student Village Dormitory

American Technion Society (ATS) Supporters Help Provide On-Campus Housing For Technion Graduate Students

The ATS Southern Region (comprised of the South Florida, South Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Sarasota/Gulf Coast, and Houston chapters) is proud to announce the building of the Graduate Student Village Dormitory.

To continue to attract the highest caliber graduate students – a major priority for the Technion - the Institute has recognized a major need for comfortable, attractive, and affordable on-campus living accommodations for students and their families.  The Graduate Student Village will consist of apartments designed primarily for these families, and will offer residents a pleasant, convenient, and affordable place to live during the academically demanding years of graduate study and research.

Members of the ATS Southern Region have been raising funds to build one dormitory building in this village.  At the time of this publishing, the Southern Region has secured generous donations for two 2.5-bedroom family apartments; fifteen 2-bedroom family apartments, and one “Blue Wing”, consisting of four apartments.  The following opportunities remain available:

•    Naming of the Dormitory Building
•    Naming of Two Dormitory Wings
•    Five 2-Bedroom Family Apartments

To watch a short video about the Graduate Student Village, visit
http://support.ats.org/site/PageServer?pagename=technion_tube#atsprojectsandprograms
and click on “Imagine a Village”.

For more information on the Technion’s Graduate Student Village, please contact Jessica Feldan, director of the ATS-South Palm Beach Chapter, at 561-395-7206 or Jessica@ats.org.