A Remarkable Achievement: 10 TAU Researchers Named Senior Members of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors

Tel Aviv University celebrates an exceptional milestone: ten of its researchers have been selected as Senior Members of the United States National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for 2026, one of the most prestigious recognitions for academic innovation with real-world impact.

Recognition for turning ideas into impact

The Senior Member title is awarded to active researchers who have led significant innovations that benefit society through breakthrough research, patented technologies, and the translation of scientific ideas into practical applications.

Members of the program are part of an international community of leading researchers whose work combines academic excellence with applied innovation, technology transfer, and industry collaboration. Beyond recognizing past achievements, the NAI also serves as a source of inspiration for future generations of scientists and inventors working to advance science, technology, and public good.

A global community of innovation

Founded in 2010, the U.S. National Academy of Inventors includes more than 2,250 members worldwide, of whom 945 are Senior Members. This year, 82 researchers were selected globally — including ten from Tel Aviv University.

Meet the researchers

  Prof. Daniel Offen | Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences | Felsenstein Medical Research Center

Prof. Offen is a prominent and pioneering neuroscientist. His research focuses on the development of cell- and gene-based therapies for diseases of the nervous system. His patents have driven the establishment of innovative biotechnology companies in the field of neurology, including BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, NurExone Biologic, and ExoNavis.

Prof. Daniel Offen

 Prof. Noam Shomron | Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences

Prof. Shomron is a leading researcher in genomics and heads the Functional Genomics and Digital Medicine laboratories. His research focuses on the genetic analysis of human disease, integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning with genomic mapping. His work has led to the establishment of numerous applied initiatives, including Variantyx, a company specializing in whole-genome diagnostics for the global market; Identifai Genetics, which develops non-invasive, comprehensive early-pregnancy genetic screening through maternal blood testing; Everly Bio, which focuses on personalized fertility treatment; MariposAI, which analyzes large-scale breast cancer patient data to enable precise and effective treatment strategies; Gotsho, an AI-powered platform for medical data organization; MalaMED, that focuses on advanced medical education; Agentic Genetics, a multi-agent AI platform for processing clinical genomics data; and 4nZOK, which develops field-based forensic testing solutions. Prof Shomrom is the head of TAU Innovation Labs, and at TAU is also affiliated with the Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Porter School of Environmental Studies, and the Bioethics and Law Initiative.

Prof. Noam Shomron

 Prof. Adi Barzel | School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics | Faculty of Life Sciences

Adi Barzel is a scientist, an inventor and an entrepreneur focusing on gene therapy, immunotherapy and genome editing. His personal mission is to develop transformative treatments for unmet clinical needs from the bench to the bedside. He has a track record of devising novel therapeutic modalities and proving efficacy, safety and scalability before industrial and clinical translation. Prof. Barzel serves as the president of the Israeli Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, Chair of the Dotan Center for Advanced Therapies (a collaboration with the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center), and Founder and Chair of the International Conference on Lymphocyte Engineering.

Prof. Adi Barzel

 Prof. Vered Padler-Karavani | Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research | Faculty of Life Sciences

Prof. Padler-Karavani is a pioneering researcher in the field of glycobiology and serves as Vice President of the Israel Immunological Society. Her research explores the relationship between the immune system and sugar chains on cell surfaces, shedding light on how the immune system detects disease through altered glycan patterns. Her work is advancing the development of innovative diagnostics and treatments for cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular conditions. She is also developing technologies designed to reduce inflammation and harmful immune responses, with the goal of improving patients’ quality of life. Prof. Padler-Karavani is the only woman to be nominated from Israel this year, which makes her part of an even more exclusive club as a woman in NAI. The overall percent of women in NAI class of 2026 stands at 21%, and 20% in all NAI Senior Members.

Prof. Vered Padler-Karavani

 Prof. Nadav Cohen | Blavatnik School of Computer Science and AI | TAD Center for AI and Data Science

Prof. Cohen is a trailblazing researcher whose work focuses on the theoretical and algorithmic foundations of artificial intelligence. He develops mathematical theory and novel algorithms for neural networks, helping to explain empirical phenomena and advancing breakthrough techniques that improve the safety, robustness, and reliability of AI in the physical world.

Prof. Nadav Cohen

 Prof. Nahum Kiryati | Fleishman Faculty of Engineering

Prof. Kiryati is a senior researcher in the School of Electrical Engineering. He holds the Klachky Chair of Image Processing, and is a leading expert in his field. He specializes in AI-based medical image processing, computer vision, and 3D sensing. His research focuses on clinical applications such as early lung cancer detection using ultra-low-dose CT imaging, accelerated MRI, identification of incidental findings in MRI and CT scans, advanced dental imaging, and contactless measurement of premature infant length.

Prof. Nahum Kiryati

 Prof. Zohar Yosibash | Fleishman Faculty of Engineering

Prof. Yosibash holds the Chair in Computational Mechanics and Experimental Biomechanics and heads the Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation in Bone Healthcare at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. His research focuses on fracture mechanics and the biomechanics of bones and arteries, bridging engineering science to clinical applications through analytical research and the development of engineering software. His lab developed a personalized system for predicting hip fracture risk in cancer patients and elderly osteopenic/osteoporotic population, and the company he founded, PerSimiO, continues to advance clinical bone analysis technologies.

Prof. Zohar Yosibash

 Prof. Tamir Tuller | Fleishman Faculty of Engineering

Prof. Tuller is a pioneering researcher in the field of intracellular engineering. He holds the Chair in Computational Synthetic Biology and is a member of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics. He founded and leads the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) program at Tel Aviv University. His research integrates biophysical modeling, bioinformatics, machine learning (including deep learning), and algorithm development to address biotechnological and medical challenges. His lab develops viral vaccines, innovative cancer therapies, biosensors, and strategies to optimize biotechnological production. The technology behind the Israeli cultivated milk company Imagindairy, approved by the FDA in 2024, is based in part on developments originating in his laboratory.

Prof. Tamir Tuller

 Dr. Yehezkel Resheff | Fleishman Faculty of Engineering and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History

Dr. Resheff is a leading researcher in AI and data science in ecology and environmental science. His work also addresses human centered intelligent systems, and especially fairness, privacy, and reliability. He is an author of dozens of issued patents for applications of AI in the financial sector, some of which are embedded in products serving approximately 100 million customers worldwide.

Dr. Yehezkel Resheff

 Dr. Edward Vitkin| Fleishman Faculty of Engineering

Dr. Vitkin is an eminent researcher in the fields of applied bioinformatics, computational biology, and medical informatics. He holds several patents in diagnostic technologies, including cancer diagnostics based on molecular biomarkers obtained through innovative e-biopsy techniques, as well as systems for analyzing patients’ physiological, behavioral, and environmental signals.

Dr. Edward Vitkin

From discovery to real-world innovation

This recognition reflects Tel Aviv University’s ongoing commitment to turning research into real-world impact — advancing technologies that shape industries, improve lives, and push the boundaries of what we know.