Meet Salima
Name: Salima Abu Rabe’a
Research Topic: Genetic Autism, Alternative Splicing
Field: Genetics & Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences
Salima Abu Rabe’a, a 2nd-year PhD student at Tel Aviv University, is making strides in autism research, focusing specifically on the genetic factors underlying the condition and the possibilities of mitigating it with new genetic editing tools.
"Autism has been studied for a very long time, yet in 2025, we still don’t have a definitive explanation for its causes," Salima explains. "This needs to change. I believe that a deeper understanding will lead to better approaches for managing and treating autism."
Salima holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology, followed by a Master's degree, and now her PhD—all from Tel Aviv University—but her road to higher education was not an easy one. Hailing from Nazareth, a city with a large Arabic population in northern Israel, Salima is the eldest of three siblings and the first in her extended family to attend college.
Without prior family experience in academia, she navigated the complex process of college applications, entrance exams, and requirements on her own. "This is not part of our lifestyle," she says, reflecting on the challenges she faced. "When I got accepted to TAU, I surprised my parents—they didn’t even know I had applied."
Despite initial uncertainties, Salima found unwavering support in her father, who encouraged her to pursue her academic dreams. One of her proudest moments was having her family present at her TAU graduation, a testament to how far she had come. Now, at 25, she is determined to complete her PhD and contribute meaningful research to the field of genetics.
Salima conducts her research in Prof. Gil Ast's lab in the Department of Human Genetics at the Faculty of Medical Sciences. She says Prof. Ast has been incredibly supportive of her work, providing invaluable mentorship and guidance as she explores the genetic mechanisms of autism.
During the early stages of her PhD, Salima sought out scholarship opportunities and discovered the Neubauer Family Foundation Doctoral Fellowship Fund. Established in 2019, the Fellowship aims to address the underrepresentation of Arab students in PhD programs at Israeli universities. As part of the Arab Israeli Academic Career Pathways initiative, the Foundation provides minority students with access to advanced studies, research opportunities, and professional development in STEM fields.
The Fellowship’s benefactors, Joseph and Jeanette Neubauer, recently met with Salima and other recipients at a conference. "I felt like they are family, like I’ve known them for years. They genuinely care, and I love having this connection. I’m very grateful," shares Salima about the meeting.
