Research includes the use of cannabis oil for treating autism, identifying casualties in war, and predicting cancer cells.
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
A leading neuroscientist developing cell- and gene-based therapies for neurological diseases. His patented technologies have contributed to the establishment of biotech companies such as BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, NurExone Biologic, and ExoNavis
Prof. Daniel Offen
Prof. Noam Shomron | Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
Head of the Applied Genomics and Digital Health Lab, focusing on genetic analysis of human diseases. His work integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning with genomic mapping, leading to numerous applied ventures including Variantyx, Identifai Genetics, EVerly Bio, MariposAI, Gotsho, and 4nZOK
Prof. Adi Barzel | School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics | Faculty of Life Sciences
A leading researcher in molecular biology and genetic engineering, focusing on gene therapy using viral vectors. His work on precise genome editing is advancing treatments for HIV, cancer (via immunotherapy), and autoimmune diseases
Prof. Adi Barzel
Prof. Vered Padler-Karavani | Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research | Faculty of Life Sciences
A pioneering researcher in glycobiology and Vice President of the Israeli Society for Immunology. Her work explores how the immune system recognizes diseases through sugar structures on cells, leading to new diagnostics and treatments for cancer, inflammatory, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases
Prof. Vered Padler-Karavani
Prof. Nadav Cohen | Blavatnik School of Computer Science and AI | TAD Center for AI and Data Science
A leading researcher in the theoretical foundations of artificial intelligence. His work develops mathematical frameworks and algorithms for neural networks, contributing to safer, more robust, and reliable AI systems in the physical world.
Prof. Nadav Cohen
Prof. Nahum Kiryati | Fleishman Faculty of Engineering
A senior researcher in electrical engineering specializing in AI-based medical image processing, computer vision, and 3D sensing. His work supports clinical applications such as early lung cancer detection, improved MRI/CT analysis, advanced dental imaging, and non-contact measurement of infant growth.
Prof. Nahum Kiryati
Prof. Zohar Yosibash | Fleishman Faculty of Engineering
Chair of Computational Mechanics and Experimental Biomechanics and head of the Bone Health Innovation Lab at Ichilov Hospital. His research integrates engineering and clinical applications to predict fracture risks in cancer patients, with technologies further developed through the company Paximio
Prof. Zohar Yosibash
Prof. Tamir Tuller | Fleishman Faculty of Engineering
A leading researcher in intracellular engineering and computational synthetic biology, and founder of TAU’s iGEM program. His work combines biophysical modeling, bioinformatics, machine learning, and algorithms to develop vaccines, cancer treatments, biosensors, and biotechnological production strategies. His lab’s technologies contributed to Imagindairy, which received FDA approval in 2024
Prof. Tamir Tuller
Dr. Yehezkel Resheff | Fleishman Faculty of Engineering and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History
A leading researcher in AI and data science in ecology and environmental systems. His work also focuses on fairness, privacy, and reliability in AI. He holds dozens of patents in financial AI applications, some of which are used by products serving around 100 million users worldwide.
Dr. Yehezkel Resheff
Dr. Edward Vitkin| Fleishman Faculty of Engineering
A leading researcher in applied bioinformatics, computational biology, and medical informatics. His patents include diagnostic technologies such as molecular biomarker-based cancer detection (E-biopsy) and advanced analysis of physiological, behavioral, and environmental signals
Dr. Edward Vitkin