Dr. Ehud Gazit is a world-renowned molecular biophysicist and leading authority in bionanotechnology whose interdisciplinary research bridges biology and materials science. He currently serves as Professor and Endowed Chair at both the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Tel Aviv University, where he is also a member of the Executive Council. Dr. Gazit earned his B.Sc. summa cum laude from Tel Aviv University's Special Program for Outstanding Students and completed his Ph.D. with highest distinction at the Weizmann Institute of Science in 1997, receiving the prestigious John F. Kennedy Award for his doctoral work. His distinguished career includes serving as Tel Aviv University's Vice President for Research and Development from 2008 to 2012, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ramot Ltd. (the university's technology transfer company), and Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology from 2012 to 2014.
Dr. Gazit's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of molecular self-assembly at the nano-scale, particularly in the fields of peptide nanostructures and amyloid fibril formation. His laboratory pioneered the discovery that short peptides can self-assemble into ordered nanostructures with unique mechanical and chemical properties, including nanotubes and nanospheres, which opened entirely new avenues in bionanotechnology. This seminal work has resulted in numerous high-impact publications in leading journals including Science, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Materials, and Proceedings of the US National Academy of Sciences, establishing foundational principles for the design of bio-inspired nanomaterials. His identification of molecular recognition elements that facilitate amyloid assembly has provided critical insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases, with significant implications for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's research.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Gazit has been instrumental in building Israel's scientific infrastructure and fostering international collaborations in nanotechnology and biomedicine. In 2015, he was knighted by the Italian Republic for his exceptional service to science and society, and in 2023, he became the first Israeli appointed to the prestigious International Solvay Chair in Chemistry, joining a distinguished lineage that includes three Nobel Laureates. As founding director of the Blavatnik Center for Drug Development from 2016 to 2025, he played a pivotal role in accelerating the translation of academic discoveries into clinical applications. Dr. Gazit has delivered over 300 invited presentations worldwide, including keynote addresses at major conferences and named lectures at institutions such as Harvard University, reflecting his global influence and leadership in interdisciplinary science.
