Dr. Matan Gal-Katziri

Department of Electrical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering Sciences

My life before BGU: 

I was born in Kibbutz Hatzor and went to Tzafit high school In Kibbutz Kfar Menachem. My academic career began with a dual degree in physics and in electrical & electronics engineering at Ben-Gurion University. After a few years working in industry, I went to Caltech in the USA for a PhD and ended up staying there for my postdoc as well, because of coronavirus restrictions.

​My research:

I study radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC). This is usually the juncture responsible for interactions with the physical environment, before information is transformed into digital signals in the realms of communication, sensing, or radar, for example. I find the opportunity to study systems that learn and communicate with their surroundings fascinating. Likewise, that they can be constructed to be as small as a grain or two of rice, is a huge bonus. 

​Why BGU?

The geographical location, the train, the excellent researchers and students… Actually, why not BGU? No less important, however, I honestly believe that the Negev, the least populated part of the country, is where my personal contribution in my own field of expertise can have the largest impact. This used to be called Zionism. It can also be called good citizenship.​

​​An insight from my research:

I could write down just about anything here, but ultimately our theories must stand up to the tests of reality.

Something that do​esn’t appear on my CV:

My brief and unsuccessful career playing the mandolin.

A source of inspira​tion:

My grandparents, who abandoned their early lives and went off to build a new state in the middle of the desert (successfully). ​

When I grow up:

I used to want to be a pilot. Luckily for me and for the air force, it didn’t work out… I think I want to be me when I grow up.​

If I were not a researcher, I w​ould…

be a handyman, or set designer, or antiques collector.
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In brief​​​: 

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