Main focus
Understanding the biophysical and biochemical properties of the bacterial extracellular matrix (ECM) biopolymers, their structure, the interactions between them that lead to network formation, and their role in shaping biofilm morphology, biofilm mechanical properties, and biomineralization processes.
Academic career
2022-present – Associate Professor, Chemistry dept., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
- Visiting Scientist, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
2014-2022 – Senior lecturer (Assistant Prof.), Chemistry dept., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
2009-2013 – Postdoctoral researcher, Rothschild fellow and a Sara Lee Schupf postdoctoral women in science fellow. Harvard Medical School, MA, USA. Topic: Making and breaking the extracellular matrix of bacterial biofilms.
2007-2008 – Postdoctoral researcher at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. Topic: Modulating surface forces in solution by externally controlling surface potential.
2002-2007 – Ph.D. in Chemistry (Excellent Ph.D. prize), Materials and Interfaces dept. The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. Thesis: Forces between polymer- and charge- bearing surfaces across aqueous media.
1998-2000 – M.Sc. in Chemistry (Excellent M.Sc. prize), Materials and Interfaces dept. The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. Thesis: Interactions of small molecules with molecular organic films – implications for electric signal transfer through bilayers.
1995-1998 – B. Sc. In Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Israel (cum laude).
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