The German Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science, chaired by Sidney Jachimowicz, held its annual lecture in Berlin, with speaker Lior Greenspoon.

Lior Greenspoon, PhD Student in the lab of Prof. Ron Milo, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and Director of the Institute for Environmental Sustainability (IES), Weizmann Institute of Science.

The IES is a Weizmann flagship project, aiming to advance curiosity-driven sustainability research utilizing Weizmann’s unique multi-disciplinary and curiosity-driven model. Lior is among a cohort of excellent students with research in sustainability as an IES fellow.

Lior shared how her recently published research with her lab, where she quantified the global biomass of various components in the biosphere, can shed light on the tremendous impact humanity has had until now and provide insights into immediate implications of future of life on Earth.

Photograph on left of Bob Drake, Chair of the International Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science and Chair of the European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Sidney Jachimowicz, Chair of the German Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Zohar Menshes, Executive Vice President of European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Lior Greenspoon, Weizmann PhD student

Read more about the IES here>> https://lnkd.in/eNayZYQ7

Energy filled the room, ~150 guests were captivated, and groundbreaking science was shared with dear friends of the Swiss Society.

The Swiss Society of the Weizmann Institute of Science, led by Chair Eric Stupp, marked its 24th Annual Weizmann Lecture in Zurich, Switzerland.

Prof. Roee Ozeri, Department of Physics of Complex Systems, and Vice President of Development and Communications, Weizmann Institute of Science, took the audience on a journey into the fascinating world of quantum physics.

The Annual Weizmann Lecture for the Swiss Society has become an important tradition to the Swiss Society and ECWIS, allowing for members and friends to experience the Weizmann spirit of curiosity and innovation straight from its esteemed scientists.

This year there was a spark in the room inspired by the resilience of the Weizmann Institute to persist through all times.

We look forward to the 25th annual lecture next year, and all the opportunities to meet and harness pure curiosity in between.

Photo credit: Aviv Zur
Opening graphic: Denise Feiger

Under the leadership of Chair Alexandra Vallon-Eberhard, the Weizmann Young European Network (WYEN) convened its inaugural “Impulse Event” last week in Zurich, Switzerland. This intimate gathering of dynamic young professionals from across Europe celebrated curiosity and innovation, highlighting the transformative research conducted at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Participants were captivated by a lecture on quantum physics and its revolutionary applications delivered by Prof. Roee Ozeri from the Department of Physics of Complex Systems, who also serves as the Institute’s Vice President of Development and Communications.

Alexandra Vallon-Eberhard shared her inspiring vision for WYEN, emphasizing its mission to champion the advancement of scientific discovery in service to humanity’s future.

Zohar Menshes, Executive Vice President of the European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science, extended his warm wishes, applauding
WYEN as a vital next-generation initiative of the European Committee.

The event concluded with vibrant discussions, as attendees connected with like-minded professionals, energizing their collective commitment to fostering science and innovation.

Photography by Aviv Zur

We are thrilled to share the success of the Italian Society of Friends’ launch event this past week, “Innovating for a Better Tomorrow”, held at the iconic Leonardo Da Vinci Science Museum in Milan.

This momentous occasion was honored with talks by Prof. Irit Sagi, Vice President for Innovation and Technology Transfer at the Weizmann Institute of Science, and Zohar Menshes, Vice President of the European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science. Their inspiring insights highlighted the transformative power of science and research at Weizmann, in shaping a brighter future for humanity.

The mission of the Italian Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science of Science is to build a network of supporters united by a shared passion for science and research for the benefit of humanity. This event served as a bridge, connecting individuals, foundations, and companies who believe in our vision of a better, more innovative world.

A heartfelt thank you to Micaela Goren Monti, Chair of the Italian Society of Friends, for her strong leadership, and to the new board members for their dedication and motivation to build up this special network. 

We invite you all to join us in supporting the brilliant scientists and groundbreaking projects that make the Weizmann Institute of Science a beacon of hope and progress. Together, we can turn dreams into discoveries and innovation into impact.

From Vienna to Jupiter and beyond. The Austrian Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science held its annual lecture event with esteemed guests and friends from across Austria and learned about climate research in and beyond Earth.

Dr. Nikolaus Pitkowitz, Chair of the Austrian Society of Friends, opened the evening’s events, welcoming guests.
Mr. David Roet, Ambassador of the State of Israel in Austria, shared words of greetings. Embassy of Israel in Austria
Mr. Zohar Menshes, EVP of ECWIS, shared news in the Weizmann campus and the resilience and unifying aspect of science, especially in turbulent times.

Dr. Eli Galanti, Staff Scientist from the Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, in the lab of Prof. Yohai Kaspi, shared his fascinating AI-powered climate change research, in his presentation “How AI transforms climate research: A journey from Earth to Jupiter and back”.

This research is conducted under the Center for Climate Research, within the Institute for Environmental Sustainability (IES), a flagship project of the Weizmann Institute of Science. The IES’s mission is to harness basic science for sustainable breakthroughs and solutions.

The opportunity to come together through science and ask questions to better our shared tomorrow, is what the Weizmann Institute is all about.

Thank you to Roberta Breiter, Director of Resource Development- Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany & Austria, European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science

Photography by Matthias Silveri.

The German Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science, chaired by Sidney Jachimowicz, held its annual meeting in February 2024, in the historical Lecture Hall Ruin at the Berlin Museum of Medical History, in the Charité- one of the biggest and leading university hospitals in Europe. A farewell honoring the great service and term of Dr. Manfred Gentz, former Chair of the German Society commenced.

The traditional lecture was presented by Prof. Avigdor Scherz, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Weizmann Institute of Science, who delivered an engaging and inspiring lecture called “From Photosynthesis to Cancer Therapy.”

The Swiss Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science, a major devoted supporter of the Weizmann Institute, held two special gatherings in Zurich and Lugano. These evenings of solidarity, united friends of the Institute with their respective Society leaders, Mr. Eric Stupp, Chairman of the Swiss Society of Friends, and Mr. Agostino Ferrazini, President of the Ticino Chapter of the Swiss Society.

Together, they were updated on the current situation in Israel and the Weizmann Institute of Science’s inspiring and impactful initiatives during this time by Zohar Menshes, Executive Vice President of ECWIS.

To top it off, Prof. Tamir Klein, Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences, came from campus, to share his fascinating research findings, including the ways in which trees and fungi can create a strong ecosystem of cooperation and mutual support, through their roots.

This gathering highlighted the perseverance of the Weizmann Institute of Science and scientific excellence.

Photographs in the Zurich captured by Aviv Zur
Thank you Google EURB for hosting the Zurich event.