Four of Five 2012 Rothschild Prizes won by Hebrew University Researchers

Four of Five 2012 Rothschild Prizes won by Hebrew University Researchers

Jerusalem - Four out of five Rothschild Prizes for academic excellence for 2012 are to be awarded to Hebrew University researchers: Professor Gil Kalai of the Einstein Institute of Mathematics, Professor Raphael Mechoulam of the School of Pharmacy, Professor Howard Cedar of the Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC) and Professor Moshe Idel of the Mandel Institute of Jewish Studies.

The Hebrew University researchers are being recognized for their groundbreaking contributions in several areas.

Professor Kalai — for his work in for his ground-breaking work in combinatorics, convexity and probability theory. His work on discrete harmonic analysis has had a major influence in the field of computational complexity, and on other areas of theoretical computer science.

Professor Mechoulam — for attaining new horizons in understanding the chemistry of natural substances that influence human behavior and which can be found in cannabinoids. He has been a pioneer in studying the chemical basis of the activity of cannabis, and in more recent years in the elucidation of its physiological effects and potential for the development of new drugs.

Howard Cedar, who is the Edmond J. Safra Distinguished Professor — for his decisive contribution to understanding the fundamental mechanisms for gene repression that play a key role in development. His groundbreaking discoveries in epigenetics serve as the basis for understanding many physiological processes, including cell differentiation, genomic imprinting and stem cell biology. These discoveries have long-term implications for understanding physiological development of the human body and of cancer cells.

Professor Idel — for his transformative research into Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, for the development of methodology which introduces phenomenological modes of investigation and the development of theoretical tools that have facilitated interchanges between his field and other domains of religious studies.

The Rothschild Prizes have been awarded in two-year cycles since 1959, with prizes awarded in recognition of original and outstanding published work in the following disciplines: agriculture, chemical sciences, engineering, humanities, Jewish studies, life sciences, mathematics, physical sciences and social sciences. A prize is awarded for each discipline once in four years. The $50,000 award, divided among the prize winners, serves to support, encourage and advance the sciences and humanities in Israel.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Knesset on March 25, 2012, in the presence of Lord Jacob Rothschild.