Students can apply to undertake research in one of the following Technion faculties. Feel free to explore these diverse fields and select a research project that resonates with your area of interest.
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering
Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning
Faculty of Biology
Faculty of Chemical Engineering
Faculty of Computer Science
Faculty of Mathematics
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Physics
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering
Prospective applicants to the Summer International Program at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering are expected to possess a strong foundation in a minimum of two of the following disciplines: Nonlinear Dynamical Systems, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finite Elements Methods, Thermodynamics, Heat Reactors, Optics, Control Theory, Wave Mechanics, Magneto-elastic Materials, Acoustic Metamaterials, Astrodynamics/Space Mechanics.
Proficiency in one or more of the following software packages is essential, depending on the chosen host profile: Matlab-Simulink, Python, Maple/Mathematica, CAD (SolidWorks/Creo), and LabView. Applicants are expected to demonstrate fluency in these tools, as they form an integral part of the specialized coursework and research activities during the program.
Dr. Vladimir Martinusi
Research Field: Analytical Mechanics for Space Systems. Modeling and mitigating the effects of the gravitational (non-sphericity, uneven mass distribution, third body attraction) and non-gravitational (atmospheric drag, solar-radiation pressure) perturbations of satellites’ orbits around the Earth, the Moon and other solar system planets. Students will learn how to apply theoretical results from Lagrangian/Hamiltonian mechanics into practical orbit prediction of satellites or study general perturbation models for nonlinear dynamical systems.
Required background: Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Analytical Mechanics. Differential Geometry is an advantage. Candidates may be from Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, Physics or Mathematics Departments/Faculties. Software fluency: Matlab or Python. Basic knowledge of a symbolic computation software (i.e. Maple or Mathematica) is an advantage.
https://aerospace.technion.ac.il/person/dr-vladimir-martinusi/
Assistant Prof. Igal Gluzman
Research field: Complex problems in fluid mechanics. The research in the lab employs experimental, numerical, and theoretical methodologies that combine interdisciplinary approaches from dynamical systems, advanced signal processing, computer vision tools, and estimation theory. FML is currently focused on the following research areas: 1) Transitional and turbulent boundary layers, 2) Cavitation and bubble dynamics
Required background: Experience in CAD design (SolidWorks), background CFD simulations on CAD models, high score in fundamental fluid mechanics courses (grades above 85), proficiency in MATLAB or Python.
https://aerospace.technion.ac.il/person/igal-gluzman/
Associate Prof. Beni Cukurel
Research Field: Gas turbines for propulsion and power generation applications. The lab focuses its efforts on the hot gas section, consisting of the combustor and the turbine. The scientific contributions are primarily applicable towards small scale engines, which are commonly used in distributed power generation, business jets, unmanned air vehicles, auxiliary power units, marine systems and other applications.
Required background: MATLAB, Solidworks / Creo, LabVIEW, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finite Elements / Volumes Solvers.
http://bcukurel.net.technion.ac.il/
Associate Prof. Joe Lefkowitz
Research Field: Multiple projects on the use of the zero-carbon alternative fuel, ammonia. Projects include the combustion of ammonia in a porous media combustor, reforming of ammonia using plasma discharges, ignition of ammonia in a flowing mixture, and diagnostics for ammonia combustion.
Required background: Thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, chemical reactors, or optics Students from Aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or physics.
https://aerospace.technion.ac.il/lab/cdl/
Associate Prof. Dan Zelazo
Research Field: The cooperative networks and controls lab (Connect Lab) explores problems related to the coordination and control of multi-agent systems. The lab explores how the mathematical field of graph theory can interface with dynamic systems and control theory in the study of these systems. We are currently focused on three core projects: i) analysis and design of networked systems, ii) formation control and multi-robot coordination, and iii) distributed power generation and the smart-grid. We focus on fundamental theory while also exploring implementation challenges on a multi-robot testbed as a demonstrator.
Required background: Strong fundamentals in dynamic systems, control theory, and mathematics. Experience with MATLAB/Simulink a requirement. Experience with robotic platforms and ROS also useful.
https://aerospace.technion.ac.il/person/zelazo-daniel/
Assistant Prof. Pavel Galich
Research field: Numerical and experimental lab focused on elastic-wave mechanics, acoustic metamaterials, phononic crystals, nonlinear mechanics, magnetoelastic materials, and passive non-Hermitian acoustics.
Required background: Wolfram Mathematica, COMSOL, Solidworks, nTopology, Labview, ultrasonics, acoustics, crystallography, nonlinear mechanics, magnetism.
https://aerospace.technion.ac.il/person/galich-pavel/
Associate Prof. Ian Jacobi
Research field: Experimental lab focused on fluid mechanics, turbulence, drag reduction, flow control, bubble dynamics, particle dispersion. We perform flow diagnostics in a high speed water tunnel using particle-image velocimetry, along with other optical and mechanical measurement techniques.
Required background: Matlab, solidworks, labview, electronics, optics
Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning
Prof. Karel Martens
Research Field: Fairness of transport systems in developed and developing countries. Students will be offered the opportunity to conduct novel analyses using big data on mobility behavior and GPS-based travel behavior survey data.
Required background: Transport, urban planning, or geography, and have affinity with quantitative research methods and statistics.
https://fairtransport.technion.ac.il/
Professor Michelle Portman
Research Field: Coastal zone management and marine spatial planning. Students will be working on a) preparing a data base of nature-based solutions to coastal defense, erosion and climate change effects; b) researching marine conservation aspects of marine spatial plans from all over the world.
Required background: Marine biology/marine conservation, natural resources studies, geography (physical), marine or coastal ecology, marine/coastal geology or adjacent field.
Faculty of Biology
Research projects are open to students studying Life Sciences, Biology, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Bioinformatics. The Faculty of Biology encompasses diverse research fields organized into six clusters. Each cluster leads to a list of labs and faculty members specializing in that area. Explore the clusters to find a project that aligns with your academic interests and passion.
Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Bioinformatics (computational biology) is the study of biological information using tools from disciplines such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, and information theory to process large volumes of biological information. The Faculty of Biology at the Technion boasts world-renowned researchers in the field of bioinformatics and includes the most advanced equipment infrastructure in the world in order to enable faculty and students to conduct research at the highest level. The Faculty uses database analysis to make new discoveries related to drugs, disease epidemiology, population genetics, metabolic analysis, and the prediction of drug efficacy against molecular targets. Please click here for information on the participating labs and faculty members.
Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics
To understand biological processes, it’s critical to gain an in-depth understanding of molecules – the “building blocks” that compose animal and plant systems. The challenges facing science today often require technological solutions drawn from the fields of physics and chemistry; we use optical tweezers to track an individual molecule, mass spectrometers to identify thousands of proteins at once, fluorescence microscopes combined with lasers to create real-time live videos of subcellular activity, and electron microscopes to look at details at resolution levels of less than one nanometer. Please click here for information on the participating labs and faculty members.
Environmental Biology
Environmental Biology is the scientific study of the interactions between the ecosystem and the plants, microorganisms, and animals within it, as well as of species diversity and the effect of humans on ecosystems. The overall goals of Environmental Sciences include learning more about how natural environments work, understanding the human influence on inter-system balance, and finding new and sustainable solutions to environmental threats. The Faculty of Biology focuses on how various species adapt to changing environmental conditions. Please click here for information on the participating labs and faculty members.
Stem Cells and Developmental Biology
Developmental Biology is the study of the development of an individual organism from conception (as a zygote) to death. The Faculty of Biology tackles various matters in this field, ranging from molecular aspects (cell differentiation and the study of tissue and organ creation processes) to evolutionary aspects and the comparison between different species to find new ways of treating diseases, repairing damaged tissues, regenerating cells, and performing basic research. Please click here for information on the participating labs and faculty members.
Genetic Regulation and Protein Expression
Researchers involved in genetic regulation study the cellular and extracellular regulation of protein production and activity. These processes are regulated at the DNA level, the RNA level, and the individual protein level. The regulatory process mediates between the genotype and phenotype, and developing an understanding of it will help us find new interventions and treatments for the future.
The Faculty of Biology uses experimental and computational methodologies to study DNA damage, DNA/RNA modifications, and the relationships between them, as well as signal pathways, endocrinology, and protein expression in sickness and in health across various models (human, plant, and microorganism). Please click here for information on the participating labs and faculty members.
Human Diseases (Immunology, Cancer, Neurobiology)
Immunology is the study of the ways organisms defend themselves from invading pathogens. It tries to answer various questions regarding the immune system’s normal activity – What is an antigen? Which cells are involved in specific immune responses? What does the lymphoid system do? What is an allergic reaction? It also studies medical conditions related to immune disorders, pathogens, autoimmune diseases, etc.
Cancer has been known in the last few decades as a leading cause of mortality. It is characterized by the uncontrolled division of cells in the body, leading to the creation of a malignant tumor. This poses a great therapeutic challenge, as we are not fighting a foreign invader, but the cells of the organism itself. Cancer research includes many different sub-topics. The Faculty of Biology at the Technion studies genetic and metabolic changes in cancer cells, cancer resistance to treatment, the involvement of the immune system in the body’s natural or induced anti-cancer response, and more.
Neuroscience has made great progress during the last few decades, with many new sub-fields, but there is much we still do not know The Faculty of Biology at the Technion believes in multidisciplinary research, as it helps us understand complex neurobiological processes and allows us to use methodologies from the worlds of physics and computer science. Our neurobiologists also study the simple nervous systems of animals that have no brain or actual nerves (e.g., C. elegans).
Please click here for information on the participating labs and faculty members.
Faculty of Chemical Engineering
Prof. Alon Grinberg Dana
Research field: Predicting the behavior of reactive chemical systems using chemical kinetic models. Applications range from fuel pyrolysis and combustion to pharmaceutical drug degradation.
Required background: Chemical Engineering or other related physical and chemical sciences and engineering.
https://dana.net.technion.ac.il/
Prof. Ofer Manor
Research field: Microscale Interactions in Surfaces and Fluids Lab. We use theory and experiment to investigate drifts (changes) in a system behavior under periodic electrical and mechanical excitations. Visiting students will join our recent projects on a new spectroscopy approach for studying dynamic electrokinetic effects in the electrical double layer of ions (surface electrical properties) and on mass transport in porous media in the presence of ultrasonic waves.
Required background: Students should be of engineering or physics background.
https://chemeng.technion.ac.il/en/team/ofer-manor/
Prof. Tamar Segal-Peretz
Research field: The Functional Nanostructures and Imaging Lab works on understanding and developing new functional nanostructures for nanofabrication processes, water technologies, and energy devices using polymers and atomic layer deposition (ALD) based processes. The project will focus on developing molecular layer deposition to create membranes for water purification processes. The research combines vapor phase processes for polymer synthesis, polymer characterization, and testing membrane performance. This exciting project can lead to new directions in environmental and water-energy nexus research.
Required background: Students studying chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, polymer chemistry or related fields.
Faculty of Computer Science
Associate Prof. Mirela Ben-Chen
Research field: Computer Graphics and 3D Geometry Processing, mainly polygon mesh processing. Applications to shape analysis, shape deformation and animation, discrete conformal maps and parameterization, shape realization and fabrication. The specific project will be decided together with the student based on the ongoing research projects in the group and the student’s interests.
Research background: The student is expected to be enrolled in a CS/EE or related program, with strong programming skills in Python, Matlab or C++, as well as knowledge of numerical optimization methods. Experience with computer graphics / computer vision is an advantage.
Faculty of Mathematics
Assistant Prof. Maxim Gurevich
Research field: Representation theory of p-adic groups treated by methods originating in the domain of quantum algebra. Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials are integer invariants attached to a Coxeter group. They play important roles in representation theory and the study of symmetry. Aided by artificial intelligence methods, recent algorithmic breakthroughs have enhanced some of our understanding of these polynomials. As a result, ample opportunities now exist for combinatorial experimentation, aiming to strengthen connections between theoretical frameworks and computational evidence.
Research background: Students studying mathematics or computer science with basic knowledge of Group Theory and Rings and fields.
https://sites.google.com/view/maxgur
Assistant Prof. Ariel Rapoport
Research field: Fractal geometry and Ergodic theory. The student will attempt to extend recent results regarding the dimension of self-similar measures on the real line.
Required background: Students studying mathematics with a basic knowledge of measure theory.
https://sites.google.com/mail.huji.ac.il/ariel-rapaport
Assistant Prof. Howard Nuer
Research field: Algebraic geometry. The student will work on the project “The intersection of the components of the Noether-Lefschetz locus of Gushel-Mukai fourfolds”. The project is motivated by the study of moduli spaces of special Gushel-Mukai fourfolds in algebraic geometry. Like cubic fourfolds, these smooth fourfolds have a rich and accessible Hodge theory that reduces studying their extra algebraic cycles to elementary questions in the arithmetic theory of positive-definite integral quadratic forms. We will attempt to study those Gushel-Mukai fourfolds which lie in the intersection of all the discrimant d Noether-Lefshetz divisors, which is equivalent to finding a minimal rank positive-definite integral quadratic form representing the set of discriminants.
Required background: Students studying mathematics who are familiar with the arithmetic theory of integral quadratic forms at the level of Serre’s “A Course in Arithmetic”. It is preferred to have some background in Algebraic Geometry.
https://sites.google.com/site/howardnuermath/home
Associate Prof. Ron Rosenthal
Research field: Mathematical Physics, Probability and stochastic processes. The student project will focus on growth models. Probabilistic growth models haven’t been used to model growth in a variety of real-life phenomena such as population, tumors, bacteria, etc. The main goal is to understand the growth rate and limiting geometry of the aggregates. In this project we will study a variety of models and try to find conditions under which an asymptotic shape exists.
Required background: Students who are studying mathematics or physics and have completed a course in probability. Knowledge in measure theory (real analysis) will be useful but not mandatory.
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Research projects are open to students studying mechanical engineering, civil engineering or aerospace engineering.
Prof. Rimon Elon
Research field: The Autonomous Robotics Laboratory specializes in innovative robot manipulation and grasping. Our focus includes pioneering research in alternative gripper designs, control mechanisms, and grasping theories tailored for commercial and industrial tasks.
https://robots.net.technion.ac.il/
Prof. Morel Groper
Research field: The TriboMechanics Lab serves as a state-of-the-art applied tribology facility leveraging interfacial science to enable optimized mechanical component design for enhanced reliability and performance. With an emphasis on providing engineering solutions to improve the capabilities of machine components, the lab focuses on various areas of tribology domains. Uniting custom-fabricated tribometers and metrology instrumentation with mechanical/electronic workshop capabilities, this uniquely equipped lab facilitates enhanced performance of components such as propulsors, bearings and seals. The project will focus on upgrading a reciprocal tribometer to model piston ring and cylinder operation.
https://meeng.technion.ac.il/members/morel-groper-2/
Prof. Yakov Ben-Haim
Research field: Decision-making whilst facing deep uncertainty. The research will be based on elementary concepts from info-gap decision theory, combined with models and concepts from other disciplines. The decisions can be in any field. Engineering design, system reliability, and safety analysis are of primary interest. The research project is theoretical and computational. The student would formulate a (simple) decision and develop an analysis for supporting that decision.
Faculty of Physics
Research projects are open to students studying physics.
Prof. Yotam Soreq
Research field: The research concerns theoretical particle physics. In particular, physics beyond the standard model of particle physics at different energy and length scales. The student project will explore different methods to discover new particles.
https://phsites.technion.ac.il/hep/members/yotam-soreq/
Prof. Ram Adar
Research field: The central theme of the group’s research is understanding living systems, using theoretical tools from soft, active matter and statistical mechanics. We offer two research projects related to the interplay between living cells and their environment on different scales – 1) single-cell volume regulation in response to deformations and shocks; 2) multicellular migration and tissue patterning resulting from cell-tissue interaction. The students will have the research freedom to combine between theoretical analysis, imaging data analysis, and numerical simulations.
