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| | == US-Israel Academic Bridge Fellowship == | | == US-Israel Academic Bridge Fellowship == |
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| − | The Academic Bridge Fellowship offers a fully-funded academic program for young Israelis at the University of Pennsylvania ([http://www.upenn.edu UPenn]). UPenn is one of the highest-ranked academic institutions in the world, with programs in wide-ranging fields, including science, engineering, medicine, law, business, humanities, social work, education, and numerous other fields of study. | + | The Academic Bridge Fellowship will bring young people from Israel to the United States for a fully-funded summer program involving research and academic and cultural exchange. The inaugural program will take place from June 18 to July 23, 2024, at the University of Pennsylvania, a leading academic institution with programs in wide-ranging fields, including science, engineering, medicine, law, business, and the humanities, among other disciplines. The bridge fellowship is a scholarly summer internship, offering early exposure to the academic system in American universities and enhancing mutual understanding between fellows from Israel and members of our university community. |
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| − | After October 7th, faculty from UPenn organized a mission to express our solidarity with our friends and colleagues in Israel. In the face of the dramatic rise in anti-Israel sentiment on campus, we see cultural exchange as the best antidote to hateful views arising from a failure to know Israelis. We therefore initiated the Academic Bridge Fellowship, which provides young Israelis with the opportunity to interact with faculty and students in an immersive setting, providing deep connections on North American campuses, beginning this summer at UPenn and scaling, in future years, to other institutions.
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| − | == About the Fellowship ==
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| − | The bridge fellowship is a scholarly summer internship for young Israelis, offering early exposure to the academic system in North American universities and enhancing mutual understanding between young Israelis and their North American counterparts. The program has the following goals: | + | |
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| − | 1. Provide opportunities for young Israelis to gain scholarly exposure in the North American academic system, thus offering them valuable training and future connections.
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| − | 2. Facilitate dialogue and mutual understanding between young Israelis and their counterparts on North American campuses.
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| − | 3. Provide opportunities for North American faculty and communities to demonstrate their support for young Israelis, thus strengthening ties between our communities.
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| − | ''Why this program?
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| − | Our premise is that cultural exchange between young Israelis and Americans is particularly important for promoting dialogue and mutual understanding. Despite the many programs aimed at North American / Israeli cultural exchange, few programs exist to bring young Israelis to North America, and those that do operate within the setting of a summer camp or a trip.
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| | + | Fellows will work alongside students, faculty, and research staff in a wide range of academic research areas, including biology, medicine, psychology, business, law, and engineering, among other topics. Our program will provide fellows with an immersive experience studying and contributing to scholarly research. Fellows will be responsible for contributing to their group's research or scholarly activities. In doing so, they will gain exposure to the American academic system, thus offering them valuable training and experiences and building friendships. Cultural exchange is particularly important for promoting dialogue and mutual understanding, and such interactions greatly enrich learning communities. |
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| | == Opportunity and Eligibility == | | == Opportunity and Eligibility == |
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| − | The bridge fellowship is open to any Israeli citizen eligible to travel to the US who meets English language proficiency requirements. Selection criteria include a strong commitment to spending 4-5 weeks engaged in full-time academic training/research and personal qualities that bode well for success in our program. In addition, we seek to prioritize admission of fellows who have recently completed military service or national service. | + | The bridge fellowship concerns cultural exchange between fellows from Israel and members of our university communities. We invite applications from anyone who lives in Israel and/or attends an Israeli university and who is eligible to travel to the US. We expect candidates to meet English language proficiency requirements. Selection criteria include a strong commitment to spending 4-5 weeks engaged in full-time academic training/research and personal qualities that bode well for success in our program. We welcome applications from those affected by the massacre of Oct 7, those who have completed military or national service, and anyone affected by the ongoing war. |
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| − | The present program encompasses two key elements: (1) Giving young Israelis the opportunity to be mentored by UPenn Professors, and (2) Bringing young Israelis together with young North Americans in a setting where they pursue academic goals and also through non-academic interactions and engagement with the local community.
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| | == Key Dates and Application Process == | | == Key Dates and Application Process == |
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| − | The program will cover all costs, including a multi-day orientation in Israel, flights to and from the US, housing on the UPenn campus, and meals. Fellows will also participate in community activities, including group trips and (optional) Shabbat meals. Bridge fellows will be mentored by UPenn Faculty (listed below) and participate in regular “Lunch & Learn” meetings where they will be exposed to the cutting-edge research environment at UPenn. A typical week during the program will include a trip on Sunday, Monday-Friday work with faculty mentors and research groups, Lunch & Learn seminars, and community outings. | + | The program will cover all costs, including a multi-day orientation in Israel, flights to and from the US, housing and meals. Fellows will also participate in community activities, including group trips and (optional) Shabbat meals. Bridge fellows will be mentored by UPenn Faculty (listed below) and participate in regular “Lunch & Learn” meetings where they will be exposed to the cutting-edge research environment at UPenn. A typical week during the program will include a trip on Sunday, Monday-Friday work with faculty mentors and research groups, Lunch & Learn seminars, and community outings. |
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| | May 1st – Application deadline (no costs for applicants) | | May 1st – Application deadline (no costs for applicants) |
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| | June 21 - Travel to the US (plus or minus one day, pending flight availability) | | June 21 - Travel to the US (plus or minus one day, pending flight availability) |
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| − | June 22 - July 22 - Program at UPenn, as described above) | + | June 22 - July 22 - Academic program described above |
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| | July 23 - Return to Israel (plus or minus one day, pending flight availability) | | July 23 - Return to Israel (plus or minus one day, pending flight availability) |
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| | [https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p8790102 Ronny Drapkin, M.D. / Ph.D.] Ronny Drapkin, Franklin Payne Associate Professor of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine | | [https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p8790102 Ronny Drapkin, M.D. / Ph.D.] Ronny Drapkin, Franklin Payne Associate Professor of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine |
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| − | == Faculty Mentors and Lunch & Learn Speakers (DRAFT) ==
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| − | '''Michael Jacob Kahana, Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor of Psychology, Topic: “Memory and Trauma” (Mentor)
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| − | Our lab investigates human memory and its neural basis using a combination of behavioral, computational, and neurophysiological methods. In our computational investigations, we build mathematical and computer-simulation models to account for the dynamics of memory retrieval in memory tasks. We simultaneously record neurophysiological signals as patients with arrays of implanted electrodes perform memory tasks. Several of our current projects also use electrical stimulation to manipulate memory circuits, both to understand basic memory mechanisms and to develop therapies to restore memory in patients with brain injury or neurological disease.
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| − | '''Maayan Levy, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Topic: “New approaches for treating human diseases” (Mentor)'''
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| − | The vision of my lab is to understand, develop, and apply the concept of metabotherapy – the usage of metabolites as vehicles and targets to prevent and treat disease. Metabolites are the quintessential effectors of cellular and organismal metabolism. They are at the core of the life history triad of growth, reproduction, and maintenance.
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| − | We study the metabolome at the interface between the host and its microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract. In the lab, we are developing innovative approaches for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer using human samples, clinical trials and mouse models of disease.
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| − | '''Peter Decherney, Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor of Cinema, and Sara Byala, a Senior Lecturer in Critical Writing and a scholar of modern African history . Topic: “Jewish Africa and Documentary Film” (Mentors)'''
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| − | Across sub-Saharan Africa, varied expressions of Judaism are emerging, complicating the religious landscape of a continent long-dominated by Christianity, Islam, and indigenous practices. Some Jewish communities claim direct Semitic bloodlines. Others base their Jewish identity on conversion. The meaning behind this widespread phenomenon is multifaceted. While scholars are beginning to document the disparate communities of African Jews, few if any have tried to put them in conversation with each other. Fewer still have attempted to understand the practical drivers and outcomes that surround Judaism. Why do people convert to or claim a Jewish identity? What meaning does this have in African communities where Judaism is largely unknown and in the larger, contested, world of Judaism? What resources, like electricity, clean water, and funding, does this identity provide pathways to conferring? And, how do racism and antisemitism inform these processes? From our Penn Global Documentary Institute, we are helping to answer these and other questions with original research. This summer, we will return to South Africa and Uganda with students and teaching assistants to film, photograph, and interview members of the Lemba and Abayudaya communities. The Lemba claim a lost tribe heritage, based on practices, oral tradition, and DNA evidence that connects them to the Middle East. Conversely, the Abayudaya are a community who converted to Judaism over a hundred years ago. Returning to these communities, our fieldwork will center on producing short profiles of members and in gathering data for our scholarship in progress.
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| − | An Academic Bridge Fellow will work with us in Philadelphia to help process our fieldwork by transcribing interviews and by logging video footage (by watching and coding it) in preparation for video post production and a scheduled January follow up trip to Uganda. The fellow will also help in researching and planning fieldwork planned for late summer.
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| − | '''Christoph Thaiss, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, Topic: “Gut Brain communication” (Mentor)'''
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| − | We are interested in understanding the environmental impacts on human physiology. Deciphering the role of environmental and lifestyle elements, such as circadian rhythms, diet, and xenobiotics, will transform our ability to decode host-environment circuits that regulate physiology. We are investigating the sensory mechanisms by which the human body reacts to changes in environmental conditions. Of particular interest are the intestinal microbiome, the immune system, and the nervous system as perceptive entities of the human organism. We are also studying the impact of environmental sensory pathways on common human diseases, including metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, cancer, as well as inflammatory diseases.
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| − | '''Ken Cadwell, T. Grier Miller Professor of Medicine, Topic: “Pathogens”, (Mentor)'''
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| − | The Cadwell laboratory investigates how our immune system has adapted to the diverse microbial agents we encounter in our lifetime. We address this question by focusing on the gastrointestinal tract where a single layer epithelium separates our body from pathogens and microbial colonizers belonging to the microbiota. Through taking a comparative infection biology approach, our research has identified cellular mechanisms underlying the balanced immune response that is necessary for responding to life-threatening infections while avoiding chronic illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease. Ongoing projects include elucidating how symbiotic intestinal viruses, fungi, and parasites contribute to local and extraintestinal disease susceptibility, defining how the cellular pathway of autophagy mediates resilience towards infectious threats, and understanding how polymicrobial exposure in the natural environment contributes to the developmental maturation of the immune system. Through these projects, we hope to gain further insight into how microbial diversity in the intestinal ecosystem shapes host physiology and pave the way for therapies that restore balanced host-microbe relationships.
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| − | '''Jorge Henao-Mejia, Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Topic: “mouse genetic tools” (Mentor)'''
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| − | Inflammation is traditionally considered a defense response induced by infection or injury. However, inflammation can also be induced by tissue stress and malfunction in the absence of infection or overt tissue damage. the overarching goal of Henao-Mejia Lab is to use novel mouse genetic tools to define the molecular mechanisms of chronic inflammatory disorders. Since it's beginning in May of 2014, we have used the revolutionary CRISPR/Cas9 system to rapidly generate novel genetic tools that allow us to precisely establish the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of chronic inflammatory conditions.
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| − | '''Joe Zackular, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Topic: “c.diff infection”, (Mentor)'''
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| − | The human gastrointestinal tract is home to a rich collection of microorganisms that has been termed the gut microbiota. At the center of our research is the important nosocomial pathogen, Clostridium difficile. Over the past decade, incidence, severity, and costs associated with C. difficile infection (CDI) have increased dramatically. The primary risk factor for CDI is antibiotic treatment, which disrupts the resident gut microbiota and leads to susceptibility to C. difficile. Interestingly, non-antibiotic associated CDI cases are on the rise, suggesting that unexplored host, environmental, and microbiota factors likely influence CDI. We are interested in identifying these environmental factors and defining underlying mechanisms of microbiota disruption and modulation of disease. The research in our laboratory draws from numerous fields including microbiology, immunology, microbial ecology, host-pathogen interactions, and microbiota research.
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| − | '''Klaus Kaestner, Thomas and Evelyn Suor Butterworth Professor in Genetics, Associate Director, Penn Diabetes Research Center (Mentor)'''
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| − | The Kaestner lab employs modern genetic approaches to understand the molecular mechanisms of organogenesis and physiology of the liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. We also use next-generation sequencing to investigate molecular differences between normal and diseased tissues, with a focus on liver cancer and diabetes. We are currently testing the hypothesis that irreparable damage to telomeres (the “caps of chromosomes”) impedes islet function in diabetic patients.
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| − | '''Lou Soslowsky, Fairhill Professor of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine (Mentor)'''
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| − | The overall goals of Professor Soslowsky’s research program are to determine fundamental relationships and mechanisms of tendon and ligament injury, healing, repair, and regeneration and to use this information to develop and evaluate potential treatment modalities. Prof Soslowsky evaluates fundamental structure-function relationships for tendon and ligament. His lab has several ongoing projects in orthopaedic research and biomechanical engineering. Specific studies relate to tendon and ligament injury and repair. Trainees will assist in the research laboratory. Responsibilities might include specimen preparation, mechanical testing, data analysis, etc.
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| − | '''Yale E. Cohen, Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology:Head and Neck Surgery (Mentor)'''
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| − | Our research program combines ethological approaches with behavioral, computational, and neurophysiological methods to study the neural bases of auditory perception and cognition. By generating models of neural activity, our laboratory takes a systems-level circuit approach to test how behaviorallyrelevant information is coded, represented, and transformed along defined neural circuits. The long-term goal of this research is to understand how brain areas interact and how these interactions relate to sensation, perception, and action at the level of brain networks.
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| − | '''Matthew D. Weitzman. Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine And Arthur Vincent Meigs Endowed Chair in Pediatrics. Topic: “Virus-Host Interactions”, (Mentor)
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| − | Our lab aims to understand cellular host responses to virus infection, and the environment encountered and manipulated by viruses. We study multiple viruses in an integrated experimental approach that combines biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and cell biology. We have chosen viral models that provide tractable systems to investigate the dynamic interplay between viral genetic material and host defense strategies. The pathways illuminated are key to fighting diseases of both viral infection and genome instability, and our studies have significant implications for the development of efficient viral vectors for gene therapy.
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| − | '''Ruben Gur and Raquel Gur. Professors of Psychiatry and Neurology. (Mentors)'''
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| − | '''Brian Englander, Robert E. Campbell Associate Professor of Radiology (Mentor)'''
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| − | We work in the diagnosis and management of breast cancer and other disease of the breast within the Department of Radiology. Current projections included percutaneous ablation of breast cancer (cryoablation and pulsed electric field ablation), evaluation of novel technology for diagnosis of breast cancer, collaboration with industry for advanced early detection through implementation of artificial intelligence. In addition, I have been involved with population health – global health and health equity – initiatives.
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| − | '''Kellie Jurado, Presidential Assistant Professor, Topic: “pathogenesis of emerging viruses” (Mentor)'''
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| − | We study early life immunity using emerging viruses. The long-term goal of our research is to uncover basic immunobiological mechanisms that underlie and regulate immune responses in utero through early life. We ask questions about immune system function, kinetics, regulation and development during pregnancy and as a neonate in two distinct contexts: under healthy homeostatic conditions and after inflammatory insults (maternal or paternal-restricted and/or local congenital infection). We leverage emerging viruses as biological probes to decode early life immunity. Emerging virus pathogenesis, through disruption, can reveal important host immune networks that lead to the discovery of critical host immune functions. Since early immune exposures influence life-long health, deciphering molecular mechanisms associated with fetal immune system development could hold the key for disease intervention even prior to onset. The ultimate objective of our efforts is to describe fundamental immunobiology in order to discover and identify opportunity to improve offspring health outcomes.
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| − | '''Ronny Drapkin, Franklin Payne Associate Professor of Pathology (Mentor)'''
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| − | The Drapkin laboratory focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of the genetic, molecular and physiological factors that drive the development of cancer, with a special focus on gynecologic malignancies. Recent work from our group and others has implicated the fallopian tube (FT) secretory cell as the likely cell-of-origin for a majority of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas. This new concept of ovarian tumorigenesis has been a paradigm shift in the field and the Drapkin lab has been at the forefront in developing novel experimental platforms that address the role of the FT epithelium and its susceptibility to neoplastic transformation.
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| − | '''Roger Greenberg, J. Samuel Staub M.D. Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, Director, Penn Center for Genome Integrity / Basser Center, Topic: “Cancer Biology”'''
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| − | This laboratory is devoted to understanding basic mechanisms of DNA repair and their impact on genome integrity, cancer etiology and response to targeted therapies. To investigate these interrelationships, we are devoted to elucidating BRCA1- and BRCA2- dependent homologous recombination mechanisms in breast and ovarian cancer, telomere length maintenance mechanisms that rely on a specialized form of homologous recombination, and DNA damage induced activation of immune responses to cancer. We utilize a myriad of approaches to investigate these areas, which include biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology, and genetically engineered mouse models.
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| − | '''Kara Bernstein. Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Topic: “Imaging Living Cells”'''
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| − | Breast and ovarian cancer can be caused by a combination of our environmental as well as our genetic make-up. Family history of breast and ovarian cancer can be used to predict whether or not individuals need additional screening or testing. We know that inactivation of some genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, lead to a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer. The inactivating changes, or DNA mutations, in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are well understood. However, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are only two genes associated with breast/ovarian cancer risk. Our lab has been focusing on other genes that lead to increased breast/ovarian cancer risk called the RAD51 paralogs, including RAD51C and RAD51D. Mutations in these specific genes are found in triple negative breast cancers, which are typically very aggressive and difficult to treat. This summer project will assist with creating and analyzing RAD51C and RAD51D breast cancer variants. Human cell culture and molecular biology techniques will be used to examine sensitivity of cancer variants to chemotherapy.
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| − | '''Claire Finkelstein, Algernon Biddle Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy Faculty Director, Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law'''
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| − | ''On the law of armed conflict''
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| − | '''Gad Alon, Jeffrey A. Keswin Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions. Director of the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology'''
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| − | '''Tom Baker, William Maul Measey Professor of Law, Topic: “Interdisciplinarity”'''
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| − | '''Morris Cohen, Panasonic Professor Emeritus of Manufacturing and Logistics. Topic: “Manufacturing Logistics”'''
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| − | '''Abraham Wyner, Professor of Statistics and Data Science, Topic: “Using Statistics to Understand Casualties in War?'''
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| − | '''David Raizin, Professor of Neurology, Topic: “Understanding fatigue”'''
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| − | '''Martin Seligman, Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology, Director of the Positive Psychology Center. Topic: “Resilience”'''
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| − | '''Angela Duckworth, Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor and co-founder of the Character Lab. Topic: “Grit”'''
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| − | '''Itay Goldstein, Joel S. Ehrenkranz Family Professor, Professor of Finance, Professor of Economics, Topic: “Global Games and Financial Fragility"'''
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| − | '''Brian Litt, Perelman Professor of Neurology, Topic: “Brain-machine interfaces”'''
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| − | '''Konrad Kording, Penn Integrated Knowledge Professor, Departments of Bioengineering, Computer Science and Psychology. Topic: “Brains, AI and Evolution”'''
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| − | '''Ron Berman, Associate Professor of Marketing, Topic: “Marketing”'''
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| − | '''Claudine Gartenberg, Asst. Prof. of Management, Wharton School (Topic, TBA)'''
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The Academic Bridge Fellowship will bring young people from Israel to the United States for a fully-funded summer program involving research and academic and cultural exchange. The inaugural program will take place from June 18 to July 23, 2024, at the University of Pennsylvania, a leading academic institution with programs in wide-ranging fields, including science, engineering, medicine, law, business, and the humanities, among other disciplines. The bridge fellowship is a scholarly summer internship, offering early exposure to the academic system in American universities and enhancing mutual understanding between fellows from Israel and members of our university community.
Fellows will work alongside students, faculty, and research staff in a wide range of academic research areas, including biology, medicine, psychology, business, law, and engineering, among other topics. Our program will provide fellows with an immersive experience studying and contributing to scholarly research. Fellows will be responsible for contributing to their group's research or scholarly activities. In doing so, they will gain exposure to the American academic system, thus offering them valuable training and experiences and building friendships. Cultural exchange is particularly important for promoting dialogue and mutual understanding, and such interactions greatly enrich learning communities.
The bridge fellowship concerns cultural exchange between fellows from Israel and members of our university communities. We invite applications from anyone who lives in Israel and/or attends an Israeli university and who is eligible to travel to the US. We expect candidates to meet English language proficiency requirements. Selection criteria include a strong commitment to spending 4-5 weeks engaged in full-time academic training/research and personal qualities that bode well for success in our program. We welcome applications from those affected by the massacre of Oct 7, those who have completed military or national service, and anyone affected by the ongoing war.
The program will cover all costs, including a multi-day orientation in Israel, flights to and from the US, housing and meals. Fellows will also participate in community activities, including group trips and (optional) Shabbat meals. Bridge fellows will be mentored by UPenn Faculty (listed below) and participate in regular “Lunch & Learn” meetings where they will be exposed to the cutting-edge research environment at UPenn. A typical week during the program will include a trip on Sunday, Monday-Friday work with faculty mentors and research groups, Lunch & Learn seminars, and community outings.
Applicants must submit materials using the attached form. The application requires you to answer a list of questions and upload a video, so please be prepared to allocate 1-2 hours to complete the application.
