German-Israeli Forum

The forum opens with welcoming remarks from the organizers and distinguished guests, introducing the day's central objectives: fostering scientific excellence, encouraging international research mobility, strengthening collaboration, and building lasting partnerships between Germany and Israel. Verena Shifferman, GIF — Welcome and Opening Remarks Nadav Douani, ScienceAbroad — Welcome Remarks Dr. Elad Arad, ScienceAbroad — Welcome Remarks Michael Baror, Director for Scientific and Economic Affairs, Embassy of Israel in Germany — Greetings

An engaging, interactive session designed to bring together early-career researchers from Germany and Israel, encourage meaningful introductions, and create opportunities for connections from the very beginning of the forum.

Ten early-career researchers will present their work through concise, five-minute pitches, introducing their research interests, highlighting the expertise they seek, and identifying opportunities for German-Israeli scientific collaboration. Presenting researchers: Dr. Christian Casey (Freie Universität Berlin) — “Writing Through Time: How Handwriting Evolves” Dr. Chen Tzror-Azankot (Bar-Ilan University) — “Metabolically Targeted Liposomes as a Strategy for Systemic Radionuclide Therapy” Dr. Verena Meier-Zekić (Heidelberg University) — “From Persecution to Recognition: The Genocide of Sinti and Roma in Europe and Its Relevance for German-Israeli Research” Dr. Katja Irob (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) — “Mechanisms of forest resilience at the arid edge of tree adaptation” Dr. Monalisa Singh Roy (planqc GmbH) — “Universal scaling of quantum caustics in the dynamics of interacting particles” Dr. Asher Suzin (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) — “Ultra-Orthodox Ascent to the Temple Mount: Redemption, Religious Authority, and Sacred Space” Dr. Rafael Eduardo Oliveira Rocha (University of Hamburg) — “Kurwenal: fast model building of massive complexes in ChimeraX” Dr. Rea Lavi (Tel Aviv University) — “GenAI-enhanced Pedagogy for Higher-Order Thinking Skills” Dr. Anna Kozell (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces) — “Inside the Shell: Exploring Mollusc Biomineralization” Dr. Tamar Berger (The Rockefeller University) — “Fanconi Anemia as a Window into Premalignant Field Cancerization of the Oral Mucosa”

Explore the poster exhibition, meet fellow participants and presenters, exchange ideas, and continue conversations about potential research collaborations.

A practical, fast-paced discussion with representatives of leading German research and funding organizations. Using real-world career and collaboration scenarios, the session will explore how to identify suitable funding opportunities, navigate research mobility programs, combine complementary funding instruments, and prepare a strong first application. Participating experts: Dr. Natalia Suponitskaya — DAAD Dr. Mirit Liran — GIF Dr. Annina Lottermann & Noemi Kriebisch — DFG Inka Löck & Oskar Militzer — Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Andrea Frahm — Helmholtz Association Dr. Benedikt Fausch — Leibniz Association Dr. Lou Bohlen — Minerva Foundation

A networking lunch featuring hosted tables with representatives of participating organizations, offering opportunities for informal discussions, professional exchange, and new connections.

Small-group discussions bringing together early-career scientists, senior researchers, and representatives of German and Israeli research organizations. The roundtables will address practical questions around finding the right research partners, initiating international projects, developing sustainable scientific networks, and learning from successful cross-border collaborations.

An opportunity to continue conversations, reconnect with participants, and explore emerging collaboration ideas.

A moderated conversation exploring the lived experiences of researchers working across borders, featuring perspectives from a German researcher based in Israel and an Israeli researcher based in Germany. The discussion will offer personal insights into international research mobility, professional opportunities, and the practical realities of building an academic career abroad. Featuring: Dr. Katrein Sauer — University of Haifa

A session highlighting the value of German-Israeli research partnerships, drawing on collaborative experiences and perspectives from researchers across institutions and generations.

A conversation showcasing a German-Israeli scientific partnership and the role of collaboration in advancing research. Featuring: Prof. Dr. Ilana Berman-Frank — University of Haifa; Director, Mediterranean Sea Research Center of Israel Prof. Dr. Eric Achterberg — GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

An intergenerational conversation bringing together distinguished academic leaders and researchers to reflect on German-Israeli scientific relations, the experiences shaping research partnerships, and the importance of sustaining collaboration for future generations. Featuring: Prof. Dr. Menachem Ben-Sasson — Chancellor, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Prof. Dr. Hadas Okon-Singer — University of Haifa Dr. Jenny Hestermann — Historian, Independent Researcher Prof. Dr. Ilana Berman-Frank — Director, Mediterranean Sea Research Center of Israel, University of Haifa Prof. Dr. Eric Achterberg — GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

Closing remarks and a transition to the evening forum.

Arrival and registration of evening forum participants.

Opening remarks welcoming participants to the evening forum and setting the stage for further dialogue on German-Israeli scientific cooperation.

A spotlight session highlighting young scientists, the experiences of Israeli researchers working in Germany, and perspectives on German-Israeli scientific cooperation.

A high-level discussion bringing together prominent leaders from the German and Israeli research communities to explore the future of bilateral scientific cooperation and the importance of strengthening institutional relationships, research partnerships, and opportunities for the next generation of scientists. Panelists: Prof. Dr. Ariel Porat — President, Tel Aviv University; Chair, Association of University Heads, Israel (VERA) Prof. Dr. Katja Becker — President, German Research Foundation (DFG) Prof. Dr. Walter Rosenthal — President, German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) Prof. Dr. Ami Moyal — Chair, Planning and Budgeting Committee (VATAT) Prof. Dr. Christian Doeller — Vice President, Max Planck Society; Minerva Stiftung

An opportunity to explore the poster exhibition, engage with researchers and institutional representatives, exchange ideas, and build connections over dinner.