Pioneer Member

Rachel Amir – I was one of Prof. Gad Galili’s post docs in the early 90’s. Gadi generously opened his laboratory door for me at the Weizmann Institute, taught me the secrets of the biotechnology profession of plants. Even beyond that, he open my mind into a different field from what I had learned up until then, and carefully made sure I understood new knowledge, and encouraged me to be creative and apply critical thiniking abilities. Over time he prepared me to be the scientist I have become. Like a good father, he cared, but he also knew how to say words of criticism and direct me to the right ways. Over the years he has always been someone pleasant to talk to, and talk about science, about research, and to hear his opinion and to consult with. He served as an excellent mentor for a life in science. He also taught me how to be accurate in scientific writing and how to write research proposals, and encouraged me when things went less well, especially at the beginning of my career. I owe it to Gadi’s support at the beginning of my scientific career to become who I am today. I was privileged to meet a generous, creative man, full of passion for science and willing to teach like Gadi. Thank you Gadi for that.

Ruthie Angelovici – Professor Galili was my PhD advisor from 2004-2009; he instilled in me the love of plant science and also provided an amazing role model as a mentor.

Tamir Avin-Wittenberg – Gadi was my Ph.D. mentor, and working in his group inspired the research we do in my group today. His support and enthusiasm were key drivers of my scientific career, and this is not unique, as Gadi has many “scientific children”.

Daniela Ben-Tov – Gadi is the reason I pursued a career in science. His passion is contagious. Without his mentorship, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Gideon Grafi – Gadi opened the door to his lab for me and to the magnificent world of science.

Arik Honig – My Scientific mentor and a good friend.

Menny Kirma – Prof. Galili was my advisor during my Ph.D studies. I had learned from him about scientific thinking, dedication and being a group member. He was highly devoted to his role and I think he had a great impact on my abilities and career.

Simon Michaeli – For me, Prof. Gad Galili (Gadi) is, first of all, a kind and generous human being, who always sees the good of his students and workers at the highest priority. He never neglected or kept aside a student’s work on the account of not being “high impact”.
He believes that all students have their own unique quality and that they can produce and publish their work with proper guidance. In addition, there is no doubt that Gadi is an extraordinary scientist and pioneer in the Plant Sciences, with enormous contribution to the study of plant metabolic pathways and plant cell biology. Personally, there is no doubt that I became a much better scientist myself following Gadi’s guidance. Thank you very much Gadi.

Noam Shani – I have had the privilege of being one of the first students of Prof. Galili at the Weizmann Institute. I started my Ph.D. with him in 1988 and the five years I spent in his lab were inspiring. Gadi is a great scientist, but also a real “Mensch” and I will always regard him as a true mentor and friend.

Guiliang Tang – My name is Guiliang Tang, and I am a Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences at Michigan Technological University. My research focuses on RNA interference (RNAi) and microRNAs (miRNA), microRNA biotechnology and application, blueberry biotechnology and breeding, plant biochemistry and natural products, and RNA technology and application. I earned my Ph.D. from The Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel in 2001, where I completed my thesis on the regulation of lysine catabolism in Arabidopsis, under the mentorship of Gad Galili. Gad Galili was a pivotal figure in my academic and professional journey. During my time as a graduate research assistant at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Gadi’s mentorship was instrumental in shaping my approach to scientific inquiry and research. His deep knowledge and passion for plant biology were contagious, inspiring me to pursue a career in the field. Under his guidance, I published several key papers, including our work on the bifunctional lysine-ketoglutarate reductase/saccharopine dehydrogenase enzyme and its role in lysine catabolism. Later on, Gadi and I continued to collaborate on the application of RNAi and micro RNA technology for improving plant nutrition. This collaboration culminated in a notable publication in *Trends in Biotechnology*, where we explored using RNAi to enhance the nutritional value of plants by regulating amino acid metabolism. Gadi had an incredible ability to simplify complex concepts, making them accessible and exciting. His guidance went beyond technical knowledge; he instilled in me the importance of critical thinking, perseverance, and collaboration. His constructive feedback and unwavering support were crucial during challenging times, and his belief in my potential helped me achieve milestones I once thought unattainable. Gadi’s influence extends far beyond his own research; he has trained and inspired a generation of scientists who continue to advance the field of plant biology. I am profoundly grateful for his mentorship and the enduring impact he has had on my career.

Oren Tzafadia – Gadi guided my in my first steps of post graduation, and I see him as a key part of my success.

Xiaohong Zhu – If fate exists, I believe I was destined to be Gadi’s student. Meeting Gadi changed the direction of my career path, inspiring my love of science. I am extremely lucky to have had Gadi as my Ph.D. adviser at Weizmann. I arrived in Gadi’s lab without any molecular biology knowledge. When showing him my first DNA gel, he enthusiastically exclaimed: “You are now a molecular biologist!”, bringing tears to my eyes. After seeing photographs of my daughter, Gadi often enquired after her, and I was touched by his warmth and caring. My time in Gadi’s lab not only gave me the opportunity to learn science, but also shaped me as a person. His passion for science, his incredible ability to motivate his people, and his kindness towards those around him have had a tremendous impact on my career and my life. Gadi’s advice set my career on an extremely productive path, and much of my research was influenced by my experiences as a graduate student in his lab. I am extremely grateful to Gadi for introducing me to the exciting world of plant biology and for being such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable mentor and friend.