Zwi returns inspired from Weizmann
During the month of July, Moriah College alumna Emma Zwi travelled to Israel to attend the annual Weizmann Institute of Science's International Summer Science Institute with two other Australian high school graduates.
During the month of July, Moriah College alumna Emma Zwi travelled to Israel to attend the annual Weizmann Institute of Science’s International Summer Science Institute (ISSI) with two other Australian high school graduates from Knox Grammar School and Fort Street High School, Petersham.
Alongside 77 participating students from 17 countries around the world, the students conducted scientific research at the Weizmann Institute in their chosen fields of biology, molecular biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics or computer sciences.
Zwi’s research contributed to a field of science involving the role of autoimmune regulators in gene transcription.
“This proved to be quite a niche project,” commented Zwi.
“My team were lucky enough to find positive results – results that confirmed our hypotheses – which is often quite rare in the world of scientific research.
“Although the research was of course very interesting and valuable, the social aspect is what really stands out about my ISSI experience.
“So many great friendships were formed so quickly, with recurring jokes and rich conversation constantly flowing,” Zwi said.
“Singing around the piano, dancing led by the South Americans, sharing meals, late night walks, magic tricks, singing happy birthday, learning lines in other languages, free nights in Tel Aviv, and generally being in a group of awesome like-minded people made this month nothing short of incredible.”
Trips to Jerusalem, Galilee, the Judean Desert and the Negev provided participants with a sense of Israel’s beauty and introduced them to its long history and diverse culture.
“The highlight of my trip was definitely the desert excursion; six days of hiking in the heat, only to come across a beautiful natural spring, and sleeping under the stars in various locations around Israel.”
The group also heard lectures and workshops led by senior institute scientists, attended departmental seminars and visited some of the country’s state-of-the-art facilities.
“This past month at the Weizmann Institute has been one of the most rewarding of my life.”
“The knowledge gained, and the relationships formed, will certainly inhabit a special place in my memory.”
AJN STAFF
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