The Technion’s story has been intertwined with Israel’s for more than a century, from laying the foundations for a new nation to shaping its future.
Captain (res.) Denis Krokhmalov Veksler z”l was due to begin his studies this year at the Technion, pursuing his dream of becoming an aerospace engineer. But, on January 8, just weeks before the start of the school year, Captain Krokhmalov Veksler tragically fell in battle in the Gaza Strip. His ultimate sacrifice is being memorialized through a collaboration between the Technion and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to develop a communications satellite.
When she was 17 years old, Hilla Haddad Chmelnik ’06 decided to pursue engineering at the Technion. An exemplary student from a young age, Hilla participated in the Atuda program, deferring her military service until after completing her studies so that she could bring specialized knowledge to the IDF. She ultimately chose to major in […]
“If you have energy, you have everything — food, water, heating, defense,” said Professor Dario Dekel, director of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program (GTEP) at the Technion. “Energy is critical for the future.” The GTEP has already made impressive breakthroughs in alternative and sustainable technologies, including fuel cells and batteries, green hydrogen and electrolyzers, water energy, renewable energies, and more. But the war with Hamas has made Israel’s need for energy security more crucial, even with the discovery of natural gas in the Mediterranean. “Given the political situation in Israel, you cannot depend on getting energy from…
“Every time I’d bring him a project, he’d hand it back full of comments and tell me, ‘You can do better,’” said aerospace engineer Inbal Kreiss ’88, who fondly recalled that lesson learned as a student from Technion Professor Yeshayahu Talmon. And that advice helped shape her career. Kreiss, a graduate of the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering, is today head of innovation at the Systems Missiles and Space Group of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI), the nation’s prominent aerospace and aviation corporation. Since joining IAI in 2000, she has held leadership positions on projects that have contributed to Israel’s…
No idea is too big in Start-Up Nation, and resilience and motivation are what make Israel’s bustling tech economy so successful. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Omer Schneider, former CEO and co-founder of cybersecurity company CyberX, about his time at the Technion and how he took his big idea all the way to an acquisition deal with the largest tech company in the world. His dedication to his work in every stage of life gave him the confidence to believe in himself and make an impact on millions of people throughout his career. Omer’s story is also…
Judith Hocherman-Frommer always envisioned an academic career at the Technion. After all, she spent 10 years there. She received a bachelor’s degree (’87) in electrical engineering followed by a master’s (’90) and doctoral degree (’94) in control systems. After a postdoc at Princeton University, she taught as an adjunct lecturer for three years, while working full time at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. “I thought I would get some real-world experience before immersing myself in academia,” she said. She intended to stay for one year, but 27 years and five promotions later, Hocherman-Frommer is the executive vice president for research and…
In a pivotal scene in the blockbuster film “Barbie,” the CEO of Mattel fumes, “No one rests until this doll is back in the box,” referring to Barbie’s escape from his toy universe into the real world (where, for instance, she swaps her pink high heels for some no-nonsense Birkenstocks). Like the film’s Barbie, Technion alumna Neta Blum B.Sc., M.Sc. has long railed against the stereotypes and double standards that often keep women in a box. Today, the aerospace engineer heads a technological division in Israel’s Ministry of Defense’s R&D body, has earned a place in Forbes Israel’s “30 Under…
Going from development on Israel’s world famous Iron Dome missile defense system to maximizing energy usage might sound a little odd, but to Ron Halpern, chief commercial officer at mPrest, the software company behind the platform, the transition was a natural one. “Iron Dome essentially is a real-time distributed asset optimization system; the assets happened to be interceptors,” Halpern tells NoCamels. mPrest CEO and Founder Natan Barak and CTO Noam Arbel are Technion alumni. Iron Dome was developed in large part by Technion alumni working at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
Professor Daniella Raveh became dean of the Technion’s Faculty of Aerospace Engineering on January 1, 2024. She is the first woman to have obtained this position at the University. An alumna of the Faculty, she graduated with honors and went on to earn both a master’s and Ph.D. degree at the Technion. She became a prominent researcher and a popular lecturer in the Faculty. “I’m honored to become the dean of the Faculty where I once studied, and where I have spent many years conducting research and teaching,” said Prof. Raveh. “Aerospace engineering is a field suitable for both men…
When Ovadia Harari (z”l) ’64, M.Sc. ’67 immigrated from Egypt with his family as a youth, who could have imagined the trajectory his life would take, and the impact he would have on the State of Israel? From those humble beginnings, Mr. Harari went on to become one of the best aeronautical engineers Israel has ever produced, a longstanding luminary of its defense industry, and a dazzling example of leadership. His distinguished work allowed Israel to flourish on the ground and in the skies, and made possible a trail of firsts that advanced Israel’s aerospace capabilities to the loftiest levels….
Brigadier General (Ret.) Pinhas Buchris ’91 is a longtime pioneer of Israel’s security, dedicated to serving the State both on the frontlines and in various leadership positions. He’s also a man who lives by his words. Once, when asked what advice he would give to up-and-coming Technion students, he said: “If I have a message for (them), it is: ‘The daring is victorious.’ Don’t give up on your dreams even in difficult times. Studies and perseverance can lead to improvement and success, even when the environment seems hostile or difficult.” His long and storied career and bold contributions to securing…
Leaning on our friends and family during these challenging times has been an immense relief for many of us, but one of the most important forums for solidarity in this era shaped by conflict and tragedy is not so visible. The power of online community has played an invaluable role in providing wartime support, and Nathanaelle Klein, Technion alumna and Chief Product Officer at Soli, is one of the talented individuals shaping an empowering online community in Israel right now. In speaking with Nathanaelle, I learned about how the academic foundation she acquired at the Technion inspired her global career, and…