Laviv Team
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Tal Laviv
Principal Investigator
Tal graduated from Tel Aviv University where he obtained his PhD working with Dr. Inna Slutsky. His PhD research utilized FRET and functional imaging to uncover GPCR regulation of vesicle release at single synapses. He then went to perform my postdoc in the lab of Dr. Ryohei Yasuda at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. There he developed an experimental system to monitor activity dependent signaling in the awake mouse brain. He started his lab in Tel Aviv University at July 2020.

Sharbel Eid
MD/PhD student
Sharbel is an MD/PhD student in the faculty of medicine in Tel Aviv University. He is interested in studying how MeCP2, an important epigenetic factor, regulates brain function and dysfunction. To accomplish this, he is developing new FRET biosensors to dynamically visualize MeCP2 activity in the living brain. In his free time, he loves to read literature books, watch documentaries and spend time with his family and friends.

Tomer Kagan
MD/PhD student
Tomer is an MD/PhD student at Tel Aviv University. Tomer is interested in developing novel biosensors, and using them to visualize and understand neural protein signalling, activity and development. Tomer loves to play the piano, watch films, works as an animator and is also pursuing a PhD in Memeology.

Nikol Malchenko
PhD student
Nikol is a Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, with a keen interest in exploring the molecular signaling pathways associated with various brain disorders and neurodevelopmental diseases. Currently, she is engaged in the development of a novel biosensor designed to detect mTOR activity, aiming to promote the understanding of the role of this signaling network in autophagy and autism. In her free time, Nikol enjoys outdoor pursuits such as hiking and scuba diving.

Maya Maman
PhD student
Maya majored in biology and Psychology at the Open University of Israel. She is working on neuronal autophagy research and the development of autophagy biosensors. Outside the lab, Maya is a triathlete and personal trainer specializing in rehabilitation.

Michal Lapidot
M.Sc. Student
Michal is an M.Sc. student at the Sagol School of Neuroscience, where her research investigates how MeCP2 contributes to genome stability. She focuses on the dynamic interaction between MeCP2 and TOP2β, a crucial enzyme in protecting neurons from DNA damage. Through live imaging (FRET-FLIM) and γH2AX markers, Michal explores how neuronal activity affects this process.
Outside of the lab, Michal enjoys traveling both in Israel and abroad, attending theater performances, and sharing a good cup of coffee with friends.

Shelly Ben Zaken
M.Sc. Student
Shelly holds a B.Sc in biotechnology, and is now a Master's student in the Laviv Lab. Shelly researches molecular interactions with the PTEN protein, with the aim of influencing its configuration and function while using a FRET-based biosensor also developed in this lab. Outside of lab work, she enjoys traveling and dancing bachata.

Rebecca Rapaport
Lab Assistant/Research Technician
After graduating from UCLA with honors with a BSc in Neuroscience, she made Aliyah and began working with the Laviv lab, assisting in a variety of projects and taking the lead on a collaborative project using the lab's biosensors to quantify autophagy in deeper brain regions. Outside the lab, she loves dancing salsa/bachata, jiu jitsu, swimming, running, weightlifting, and traveling.

Anna Samuel
Lab Assistant/Research Technician
Anna holds a BSc in Biology from the University of Montpellier and a Master’s in Cognitive Neuropsychology from the Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam. She currently works as a research assistant and lab technician at the Laviv lab, where she supports various neuroscience projects using animal models. Outside the lab, she enjoys ice skating, creating games, learning languages, and reading. Her research interests lie in understanding the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and behavior in therapeutic application.
Alumni

Yossi Levy
PhD

Emanuela (Emma) Perah Break
MSc

Aviv Zaid Or
MSc
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