The Scientist Leading a Medical Revolution in the Galilee

When Prof. Orly Avni was appointed Dean of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine at Bar-Ilan University in the Galilee, she made history as the faculty’s first dean who is a scientist rather than a physician.

“I’m a big believer in collaboration between researchers and doctors—in both research and teaching. It’s the lifeblood of a medical faculty,” she says. “The Azrieli Faculty brings together scientists and researchers who’ve returned from some of the world’s top universities, and their work spans the full spectrum of fields essential to human health. In the hospitals and community clinics affiliated with our faculty, there are outstanding physician-researchers primarily engaged in clinical research. The essence of our faculty’s research is the fruitful meeting of all disciplines—for the benefit of the patient.”

Developing a Drug for a A rare Genetic Condition Leading to Early Childhood Death

Prof. Avni’s research centers on immunology. In her lab, she investigates how the immune system responds—and what happens when it misfires.

“For example, we’re trying to understand the connection between stress and the onset of autoimmune diseases, or why parasitic worm infections—which mainly occur in developing countries—seem to protect against allergies, which are nearly epidemic in the developed world.”

Her research also addresses pressing local issues—such as rare genetic disorders that are more prevalent in the Galilee due to consanguineous marriages. In a joint study with Prof. Tzipora Flick-Zakay, she discovered a genetic disease that causes sudden cardiac death in young children from Christian Arab families in the region, due to cardiomyopathy (a devastating enlargement of the heart muscle).

“We found that a mutation prevents the shutdown of inflammatory activity in the heart, which ultimately leads to lethal damage to the heart muscle’s flexibility and ability to contract.”

After unraveling the mechanism, Prof. Avni, with Prof. Flick-Zakay’s help, was able to detect the mutation in the womb—a discovery that could prevent the birth of children carrying the fatal disease. “We’re now continuing to investigate the mechanism, with the goal of developing a treatment.” Prof. Avni also shares that part of her future vision is to establish a center in the Galilee dedicated to the study of rare genetic diseases.

A Network of Research Centers to Turn the Galilee into a Hub of Excellence

That planned center is one of nine specialized research centers Prof. Avni is spearheading. These centers will bring together physicians and faculty researchers to blend clinical and academic research, advancing both medicine and public health.

Among the ambitious projects are a Women’s Health Research Center—already up and running under the leadership of Prof. Omry Koren and Prof. Lior Lowenstein—as well as centers for Immunology and Infectious Diseases; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases; Brain and Mental Health; Bioethics in Research and Medicine; Public and Environmental Health; Personalized Medicine; and Regenerative and Developmental Medicine.

“This research network across the Galilee will be a game-changer, transforming the entire region into a national and global center of research and clinical excellence,” says Prof. Avni. “Bar-Ilan University placed us in the Galilee out of a Zionist commitment to improving healthcare in the north. We’re committed to reducing health disparities in the region and to providing a holistic response to the diverse medical needs of northern communities.”

Passing the Torch and Connecting Students to the Galilee

Prof. Avni began her academic journey at the Hebrew University and then at Harvard University, where she researched decision-making and gene expression control mechanisms in immune cells. Upon returning to Israel, she led a research group at the Technion’s Faculty of Medicine and later became one of the founding members of Bar-Ilan’s Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee. Today, one of her top priorities is strengthening students’ ties to the region—and encouraging them to stay after graduation.

“Passing the torch to the next generation and training the doctors and scientists who will lead us through future challenges is incredibly important. We’re working to improve our students’ quality of life, build an academic village where they can live and study, and immerse them in the richness of the Galilee from day one.”

To early-career researchers and physicians, she offers this advice:
“Don’t be afraid to dream big and set bold goals—both academically and as future leaders. Remember that failure is an integral part of the path to success, and that meaningful processes take time. They’re long, and they’re challenging.”

Want to join our researcher ranks? Meet us on April 2, at BIU's Advanced Degrees Open Day! 

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