This past summer, Yeshiva University students had the chance to engage in international, high-level, scientific research with the inauguration of the Summer Science Research Internship at Bar Ilan University in Israel.
Approximately 25 Yeshiva College and Stern College for Women science majors traveled to Bar Ilan to conduct research in one of the state-of-the-art research laboratories in the Bar Ilan Brain Research Center, Nanotechnology Institute, School of Engineering, and other departments within the Faculties of Life Science and Exact Science. Students spent 6-8 weeks doing research alongside graduate students and senior scientists.
The joint initiative between YU and Bar Ilan – both of whom participated in the funding of the program – is the brainchild of Chaim Sukenik, ‘72YC, who holds the Edward and Judy Steinberg Chair in Nanotechnology and is Professor of Chemistry at Bar Ilan.
Professor Sukenik fondly remembers his time at YU, crediting the university with giving him an invaluable professional education as well as a rigorous Torah education. “Being a student at Yeshiva College allowed me to grow not only academically but in a well-rounded way that I couldn’t have done anywhere else,” he declared. The fact that he was re-introduced to a high school acquaintance who was at Stern College, Shelli Diamond, ‘72SCW, whom he married the summer before they entered their senior year, was an added bonus.
Professor Sukenik looked for a way to give back to YU and began forming an idea based around science research and Israel. “I have always thought that research experience for students in the sciences is important. For students at YU, doing research within the framework of a program in Israel was a natural fit,” explained Professor Sukenik. “When Bar Ilan dramatically upgraded its science infrastructure and established its world-class nanocenter, I thought it was a good opportunity to put my idea in motion.”
Professor Sukenik reached out to an old college classmate, Hillel Davis, who was YU’s Vice President for University Life until September 2011, who put him in touch with Dean Karen Bacon of Stern College and Dean Barry Eichler of YC. The two deans loved the idea, and Professor Sukenik worked with them, along with Dr. Raji Viswanathan, Associate Dean of YC, and Dr. Anatoly Frenkel, Chair of the Stern College Physics Department, to make the program a reality.
Informational sessions to gauge interest from the students were overwhelmingly positive. “The turnout was more than we had ever hoped for,” recalled Professor Sukenik. “To have so many people come to hear about a program that didn’t even exist yet was extremely gratifying and assured me that this would be a hit among YU’s students.” An official application process was soon underway.
Applicants were asked to indicate their top five choices for faculty research supervisors from over 180 distinguished faculty members at Bar Ilan in scientific disciplines that included physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computers and engineering. Professor Sukenik, who is acting director of the program and is primarily responsible for the matchmaking, said he was very impressed with the students’ choices. “The vast majority of the students showed a thorough understanding of the research process and chose mentors with a lot of sophistication and insight as to the specific disciplines in which they are most interested.”
Professor Sukenik’s motivation for creating the program is two-fold. “Not only do I think students can benefit from conducting high-level research with top experts in their fields,” he explained, “ but it’s a good opportunity for those who might consider making aliyah (moving to Israel) to get an opportunity to live, conduct academic research, and work in Israel.” Professor Sukenik added that while a year in a yeshiva or seminary in Israel is something many YU students experience, the yeshiva/seminary experience is very different from those aspects of life in Israel that will be a part of the internship program.
Professor Sukenik also highlighted his strong Zionist sentiments as motivation for creating the program. “Part of the way that Israel will succeed, and the way Bar Ilan will succeed, is to continually attract the best and brightest from North America as olim (immigrants to Israel),” he stated.
The students lived on YU’s Israel Campus in Jerusalem, about a 40-minute drive to the university.
Dr. Viswanathan said that many qualified students applied for the coveted spots. “We’re excited to see so many outstanding students in the internship positions,” she states. “Each one of them came with a strong scientific background and enthusiasm to conduct cutting-edge research at one of the top scientific research universities in the world.”
In this first year of operation, students did not receive any kind of stipend and had to cover their own travel to Israel. YU hopes that, in future years, additional funding from outside sources will cover more of the program’s cost.