The Context
Over the past two decades interest in
the area of health and nutrition has grown, and an unusual combination of
dynamics currently exists. Positively
speaking, technological advancements have changed the face of healthcare. In addition, as a result of significant
research and investment, great strides have been made in the area of health,
with improved sanitation, upgraded living and work conditions, stronger
environmental regulations, and more. Concerning nutrition, there is heightened
awareness of food security issues, improvement in combatting malnutrition, and
greater understanding of the role of nutrition and diet in health and disease,
as well as well-being. Furthermore,
awareness of the importance of fitness has increased and the benefits of a healthy
lifestyle are actively promoted by healthcare providers, government offices,
and other organizations. Yet, despite these positive trends, the incidence of
obesity is out of control and nutrition-related illness has skyrocketed and
grown more complex.
The Center’s First Two Decades
The Center was formed to promote
interdisciplinary research in the fields of international health and nutrition,
and the Center has evolved, reflecting the specific research interests of its
members. The first decade emphasized faculty recruitment and development and
the establishment of laboratories.
During this period, Dr. Natalia Bilenko, Prof. Assaf Rudich, Prof. Iris
Shai, and Prof. Danit Shahar were recruited to BGU and joined Prof. Drora Fraser
as members of the Center. The new Center provided an organizational framework
and administrative support, enabling researchers to focus on research and the
submission of competitive grant proposals.
At the time of its founding, the Center was involved in a prestigious
research collaboration with Columbia University (based on an international
cooperation in infectious disease research program from the National Institute
for Allergies and Infectious Disease) and a project with Egypt (based on an
Institute of Medicine Grant for Middle East Regional cooperation). These projects and other endeavors, including
conferences on preventative nutrition served to launch the Center.
Since then, the Center has taken off,
and the past decade can proudly be described as a decade of research excellence
at the S. Daniel Abraham International Center for Health and Nutrition. The Center has supported the efforts of our new
faculty and serves as a source of synergy and point of convergence for
researchers from different disciplines with a shared interest in health and
nutrition-related research. The Center
has not only facilitated the recruitment and education of researchers, but
generated unique state-of-the-art infrastructure and a collaborative
interdisciplinary research program that have resulted in high profile research
published in top professional journals and widely reported in the mainstream
media. Scientific achievements have led to invitations for the Center’s
researchers to present at prestigious conferences and before general audiences.
This research has generated fruitful
collaborations, including joint grants with leading international
institutions. Furthermore, it has
created a ripple effect and strengthened our ability to attract top students and
postdoctoral researchers from all over Israel; the Center’s impact is expanding
as our faculty trains the next generation of researchers and healthcare
professionals. Our graduates hold key
positions in Israel’s health, scientific, and educational sectors, further
extending the Center’s influence in the field.
