From Shattering Glass Ceilings to Purifying Wastewater
Technion Webinar
With Profs. Ayelet Fishman and Adi Radian
The Technion has long been a trailblazer in promoting women in science and engineering. In 1924, when academia was largely closed off to women, the Technion’s first class of 17 students included one female. Today, 44% of Technion doctoral students are women, and female faculty and alumni are developing technologies and launching startups across all disciplines. Hear from two such extraordinary women.
Professor Ayelet Fishman is a biotech and food engineer interested in creating healthy foods and vegan protein alternatives. Associate Professor Adi Radian is a soil and water scientist dedicated to making the environment a cleaner place. Friends and colleagues, they teamed up to patent a technology to purify wastewater of formaldehyde, a carcinogenic substance used in the production of glue, making it common in the wood, paper, and textile industries. It is also present in household items such as dishwashing liquids, and even tobacco smoke.
In this webinar, Profs. Fishman and Radian talk about their cross-disciplinary research and share personal stories about making their way in a world typically reserved for men. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Prof. Fishman was appointed Dean of Students just months before COVID-19 hit, making the job of overseeing the students’ welfare that much more complicated. She stepped down from that position in 2025. Prof. Radian was also the former chair of the Israel Clay Mineral Society and is making a name for herself developing soil and water treatment methods.
Technion supporter Merry Sherman,. moderates the webinar, and Doreen Green gives greetings. Dr. Sherman is the CEO and president of Mountain View Pharmaceuticals, a former member of the Technion Board of Governors, and an active ATS volunteer with her husband, Mark Saifer. Ms. Green, a steadfast supporter of the Technion for more than four decades, is the former Chair of Technion Canada’s Board of Directors.
This webinar was co-hosted by Technion Canada.
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