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Societti Advertorial

SciTech
Slimmer

WHO HELPED HER
FINISH A MARATHON?

Two local teens participate

in Technion research program.

hile many teens canceled trips
fives, hold Technion degrees.
to Israel this summer due to
"Throughout my life, I have heard
the escalated situation in Gaza,
countless intriguing stories about the
Jenna Goldstein, a senior at Cranbrook
research conducted there and its impact
Kingswood High School, and Amit Miz-
on Israel's high-tech economy," he says.
rahi, a senior at International Academy
This summer, he did his own research
High School, spent the summer on a
on a computer science project that
research program in Israel.
explored an algorithm to match kidney
The two were among 43 high school
donors to recipients, among other
students to participate in SciTech, a
things. Working with two colleagues
three-week international science and
and a faculty mentor, he engineered an
implementation and application of the
technology research program at the
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
algorithm from scratch.
in Haifa. Now in its 21st year, SciTech
"From the moment I set foot on
campus, I knew that I had made the right
gives young students the chance to carry
out research in a broad range
of fields while experiencing
dormitory living with peers
from around the world. Partici-
pants this year came from nine
countries, including Australia,
Serbia and South Korea.
"I felt that being in Israel
[during Operation Protective
Edge] showed my support and
trust in the Israeli army, that
they would keep me safe,"
Jenna says. "Also, being there
showed my family and friends
back home that not everything
the media has been saying is
true, and that Israel is a nice
place to be, even in times of
crisis."
A well-rounded student
who excels in academics and
sports, Jenna could have taken
advantage of any number of
summer programs. She plays
field hockey and ice hockey, is
involved with Model United
Nations and is president of
Friendship Circle in West
Bloomfield.
"But I saw an article about
Jenna Goldstein and Amit Mizrahi participated in a
Technion program this summer.
a girl in my area who at-
tended the Technion program
a few summers ago and I was
so excited to apply," she says. "I have
choice," Amit says. "I was amazed by the
always been into science and knew from
Technion's faculty and facilities ... and
a young age that I wanted to pursue my
the combined intellect of the program's
interests in biology."
participants was astounding. Whenever
Jenna worked under a Technion re-
we were together, the ideas and creativ-
searcher in the Faculty of Biotechnology
ity seemed to radiate throughout the
and Food Engineering to investigate the
room. It was clear that I was surrounded
location of ferritin, a protein that stores
by future scientists, engineers and lead-
iron and releases it when the body
ers."
needs it into disease-fighting white cells
Outside of the labs, he explored areas
known as macrophages. By identifying
on campus where family members had
the protein's location, scientists can bet-
once studied and dined. He also made
ter understand how iron is absorbed and
time to socialize.
secreted in the body, which could lead
"The friendships that I made and the
to the treatment of diseases associated
knowledge that I gained at SciTech did
with iron deficiencies such as Parkinson's
not end with the final goodbyes," he
and Alzheimer's.
says. "Not only have I found my roots at
"It was particularly exciting to see my
the Technion, but I also planted seeds
research come together during the last
for the future."
week, when we created a project poster
SciTech was founded by the late Harry
and presented our findings before an as-
J. Stern of Sands Point N.Y., a supporter
sembly of peers and professors."
of the Technion and the American Tech-
Amit attended the Technion to con-
nion Society. Admission to the program
nect to his roots. His grandfather is a
is selective. Student research culminates
Technion professor emeritus, and his
in an oral presentation and written
mother and father, among other rela-
report for publication. ❑

AA

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1

SEARell

'5Gs 601;ane

A Technion alumnus did. In May 2012, paraplegic Claire Lomas
finished the London Marathon in 14 days using ReWalk, a
lightweight, computer-assisted exoskeleton developed by Technion
alumnus Dr. Amit Goffer, who is paralyzed from the chest down.
Says Goffer of his invention, "Everything was based on the basic
education that I received at the Technion, which is priceless." And
he is developing ReWalk further, so more people can use it. There
are many more breakthroughs at the Technion-Israel Institute of
Technology. As one of the world's leading universities in science,
technology and medicine, the Technion is a major source of
innovation. The brainpower of its graduates helps drive the Israeli
economy and contributes to the health and wellbeing of people
in Israel and around the world. The American Technion Society
consists of thousands of people in the United States who support
the Technion. Please join us and help make the next generation
of Technion breakthroughs possible. Visit www.atsdetroit.org
or call 248.593.6760.

American
Technion
Society

Advancing Innovation for Israel and the World

6735 Telegraph, Suite 304, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 248.593.6760
Joey Selesny, Regional Director joey@ats.org www.ats.org
For more information on our Speakers and Events,
call: 248.593.6760

1917320

October 2014 • Chai Israel I 39

