Serving Israel by Conducting Medical Research

Tell me about your background and childhood. 

Like many American Jews, my family had roots in Ukraine and Belarus.My grandfather immigrated to Chicago in the late 19th century and earned a living selling clothes and household items from a horse-drawn cart. My father learned carpentry and started his own kitchen and bath business. I was the first in my family to attend college.I grew up in Chicago during the 1960s and experienced events such as the counterculture revolution, the Civil Rights Movement, and the first moon landing.Even though I was eligible to be drafted into the army during the Vietnam war, my birthdate drew number 365 in the draft lottery and I was never called to serve. 

How did you become interested in science? 

When I was about 10 years old, my family was attending a barbeque in the backyard of my aunt and uncle. I saw an ant crawling on the ground and decided to place a potato chip in front of it to see what it would do. The ant crawled around and onto the potato chip. After a short time, the ant crawled away, entered a small crackin the cement next to a drain, came out of the crack, entered another nearby hole, and then crawled out, followed by a procession of hundreds of other ants. The line of ants crawled directly to the potato chip and began breaking it into pieces and carrying the pieces back to their nest. I watched for hours and instantly became hooked on science and nature. 

Tell me about your career prior to immigrating to Israel. 

After receiving a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, I moved to New York where I worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the fields of microbiology and molecular biology at both the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Columbia University. After three years, I got a job searching for newanticancer drugs at the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Later I established my own lab at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in New Jersey and eventually moved my lab to the Biology Department at American University in Washington DC, where I was promoted to Full Professor in 2015. All told,I published more than 80 scientific articles and was awarded six patents thanks to the many great mentors, colleagues and students whom I encountered during my career. 

When and why did you decide to make Aliyah? 

My wife, Sharon, and I decided to pursue Aliyah in 2022. Sharon has strong ties to Israel. Her mother, whowas born to a pioneering Zionist family in Jerusalem, served as a Haganah fighter. At age 15 she delivered secret messages under the eyes of the British and learned how to fire and hide weapons. Sharon was born in New York City and spent four years of her childhood living with her family in Israel. During our marriage, Sharon and Imade numerous trips to Israel and even celebratedour son'sbarmitzvahhere. Personally, I've always been drawn to adventure, and having lived in Chicago, New York City, and Washington DC over different periods of my life, the idea of relocating across the globe and starting a new chapter in my life in the Middle East was exciting to me. I believe that embracing change and seeking new experiences is fun and essential for personal growth. 

Where does your own connection to Israel stem from? 

I believe I developed a strong affiliation to Israel through my father. He grew up as a teenager in Chicago during the Holocaust, and it left a profound impact on him.He developed a deep and enduring pride in Israel which he instilled in me. Although my upbringing was conservative, I always felt a strong affinity for Judaism through its art and culture. For example, some of my hobbies are playing Jewish songs on the melodica, practicing Hebrew calligraphy, and making sculptures of the kotel. 

What continues to inspire you to pursue your professional journey at this stage of your life? 

Shortly after I retired during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, I started to miss research. Despite no longer teaching at American University, I was fortunate to be able to continue conducting research in my former lab which had remained unoccupied because of a hiring freeze during the pandemic. I received funding to carry out my research from a Canadian biotech company whose Scientific Advisory Board I serve on. It was an unexpected but welcome opportunity to stay engaged in the field.

I carried out research until a few weeks prior to our departure for Israel in May, 2023. After we arrived in Israel, I started looking for a job in research. Thanks to my wife's cousin, who had connections with Galilee Medical Center, and a program from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration that provides assistance for employing new immigrant scientists, I was able to secure a job within 10 weeks of our arrival.

What inspires me most is the thrill of scientific discovery. Every day, as I step into the lab, I feel a surge of excitement. Observing my Petri dishes and analyzing my results from the previous day's experiments never fails to ignite my enthusiasm. Every day holds the potential for a groundbreaking discovery. 

What are some of the most significant differences between America and Israel? 

The difference is quite striking. Living in Washington DC, we had access to many world-class cultural institutionsincluding museums and art galleries. However, we have more social connections in Nahariya. I find that people in Israel are more engaged than people in America. There's a special spirit that makes living in Israel unique, particularly given the challenging political situation. 

What was the most challenging part of your journey to Israel? 

Adjusting to our new life in Israel was challenging, especially during the first four months. We were used to having our own house and belongings, so it was unsettling to have our daily routine disrupted. Renting an apartment and receiving a shipment of our furniture and belongings from America made a significant difference in helping us feel more settled. But after 15 months in Israel, we feel quite at home. Personally, I consider myself adaptable and able to thrive in any environment.  

 How did October 7th impact you?

From my perspective, thankfully the war has had minimal impact on Nahariya. Although there were brief moments of concern when the conflict began and periodic upticks in cross-border tensions since then, Nahariya has retainedamostly peaceful atmosphere.Despite the conflict, I feel more secure in Israel than I did in Washington DC, where there was a considerableamount of crime. I don't sense that same level of danger here in Israel. 

Did you have any concerns about the continuing Israeli–Palestinian conflict before choosing to move here? 

Upon our arrival, there was no war. However, we were mindful of the risk, considering Israel's history of frequent conflicts. Despite Nahariya's close proximity to the Lebanon border and the ongoing conflict, I have developed a deep affection for this city. Its tranquil atmosphere genuinely makes me feel as though I'm on a perpetual vacation. 

What are your thoughts on the current conflict? Do you believe there's a viable solution? 

Because the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict is mostly over ideology and not over land or other natural resources, I expect it will be very difficult to resolve. At the Galilee Medical Center, however, I'm amazed by the diversity of our team of researchers. It's inspiring to see Jews, Christians, Muslims, Arabs, and Druze working together harmoniously to make medical breakthroughs and help people. I believe this collaborative spirit represents the way the world should be – inclusive and united, regardless of differences. 

About the author:

I am Miri Polis, a 16-year-old enthusiastic and ambitious junior at Madaim and Omanuyot High School in Nahariya. My deep-rooted passion for journalism and contemporary news has driven me to seek diverse extracurricular activities that complement my academic pursuits and help me grow as an individual. While in the United States during my freshman year, I had a valuable opportunity to develop and refine my skills in communication and diplomacy through my involvement in various projects at the school's Jewish club and the local Chabad Cultural Center. Currently, in high school, I am participating in the Nova project and majoring in English diplomacy. I am wholeheartedly committed to furthering my learning and growth in this intriguing field.