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.
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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.
Yoel Levy
MD/PhD student
Yoel is a MD/PhD student at the Gray Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. His research focuses on astrocytes and their responses to different perturbations, with a particular emphasis on how these affect autophagy and its role in brain function and disease. He completed his pre-clinical medical studies at the Technion. In his free time, Yoel enjoys playing beach volleyball and tennis, exploring new music, and cooking.
Shireen Sarji
PhD student
Shireen is a PhD student at the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. She is interested in mitochondrial function and mitophagy mechanisms in neuronal models. Her current work focuses on developing a mitophagy biomarker-based biosensor to study mitophagy dynamics in neurons. By combining advanced imaging approaches with molecular tools, she aims to better understand the role of mitophagy in neuronal function, as well as its contribution to health and disease. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, painting, staying active, exploring nature, and spending time with friends and family.
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.
Gal Uzan
M.Sc. Student
Gal is a Master’s student in neuroscience, holding a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Biotechnology from Ariel University. Her research focuses on neuronal autophagy and its role in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in relation to pathological tau accumulation. She studies the in vivo dynamics of autophagic vesicles and how these processes are influenced by disease progression and aging, with the aim of understanding their contribution to neuronal dysfunction.
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.
Guy Naftachi
Lab Assistant/Research Technician
Guy holds a B.Sc. in Biotechnology and works as a laboratory assistant, specializing in cell cultures, including neurons and astrocytes. He supports a variety of research projects and enjoys expanding his skills in neuroscience and cell biology.
Outside the lab, he enjoys volleyball, traveling, music, and spending time with friends and family.
Alumni
Michal Lapidot
MSc
Rebecca Rapaport
Lab Assistant/Research Technician
Yossi Levy
PhD
Emanuela (Emma) Perah Break
MSc
Aviv Zaid Or
MSc
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