About Us
Founded in 1944, the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science develops philanthropic support for the Weizmann Institute in Israel, and advances its mission of science for the benefit of humanity.
This was a year of particularly awe-inspiring breakthroughs at the Institute.
As we enter a time of year abundant with food-centric holidays, it's helpful to think about how we eat – and how much. And given the link between overeating, obesity, and diabetes, it's no coincidence that November is American Diabetes Month. Weizmann scientists are looking at the complexities of diabetes and developing novel treatments.
On October 10, 2017, nearly 200 American Committee supporters from across the country joined a special conference call with CEO Marshall S. Levin. The second in a series of semi-annual calls focused on “Science at the Leading Edge: Latest Breakthroughs from the Weizmann Institute of Science.” Mr. Levin opened with the news of the Weizmann Institute’s sixth place ranking in the prestigious Nature Index of Innovation, and Weizmann Prof. Michal Schwartz’s distinction as “Lady Globes” Woman of Year for her groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research.
October 10, 2017
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and people everywhere are running, walking, and even shopping in support – and, at the Weizmann Institute of Science, investigating, researching, and pursuing creative new ways to attack this still-insidious, too-common disease. Our devoted scientists are developing ways to detect breast cancer early, designing more effective treatments, and better preventing it in the first place. Learn what Weizmann is doing about breast cancer – and how you can help.
Each summer, the Kupcinet-Getz International Science School offers outstanding undergraduate students from around the world the opportunity to spend two months conducting research at the Weizmann Institute. For Alice Chudnovsky, now a sophomore at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, participating in the program was the opportunity of a lifetime. Here, Alice reflects on her transformative summer at Weizmann, her passion for Israel and mathematics, and her efforts to encourage women in her field.
September is World Alzheimer’s Month – a fact that highlights the disease’s unfortunate status as a major, ongoing, global health crisis. There are many intersecting reasons that Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise; ironically, most of them are also advances, such as better healthcare, prevention, nutrition, safety, and the like, all of which lead to increased longevity. And while Alzheimer’s is a disease of the aging brain, there is also a significant genetic component to this devastating illness. As of now, despite many years and many billions of dollars, there is no truly effective treatment, much less a cure.
September 2017
How Weizmann Institute scientists are advancing food security in an insecure era
Thanks to advances in healthcare, sanitation, safety, and nutrition, people today are living longer than ever; in fact, in the West, the fastest-growing demographic is age 85 and up.
Did you know that May is National Cancer Research Month? As the American Association of Cancer Research states, this observance “recognizes the importance of cancer research”: after all, without basic research and the skilled scientists pursuing it, we would never have means of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Cancer research has been a major focus of the Weizmann Institute of Science since its early days. Our scientists were among the first in the world to demonstrate that cancer develops in a multistage process; since then, they have made major advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Today they are deeply invested in the development of personalized cancer therapies.
May 2017