The Azrieli Foundation has made a philanthropic commitment of $50 million to the Weizmann Institute of Science in order to promote catalytic brain research through the founding of the Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences. It is one of the largest donations of its sort on behalf of the foundation.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences will support a complete range of neuroscience research, stemming from more basic investigations to translational work that will bear significant worldwide consequence within the field. Furthermore, the money will in part be utilized to construct a brand new structure that will function as a center for neuroscience activities, resources, and up-and-coming technologies.
"The new Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences embodies one of the Weizmann Institute's fundamental values – interdisciplinary collaboration. It will create a home for all the Weizmann researchers studying neuroscience, who will, under one roof, work together to gain a detailed understanding of how the brain develops and how it functions. I'm confident that this new and unique research environment will enable the next major leap in brain research. The Azrieli Foundation's commitment to the Weizmann Institute is extraordinary and we are deeply grateful for their longstanding support and partnership," Weizmann Institute President, Prof. Alon Chen, said.
"The Azrieli Foundation seeks to nurture networks of excellence and out-of-the-box thinking, and we are passionate about supporting the next generation of researchers. In addition to Weizmann's outstanding record in science writ large, and neuroscience specifically, we are excited that this new institute will facilitate and amplify collaborative work across 40 groups in multiple disciplines. This is how breakthroughs in brain research will happen," the current chair and CEO of the Azrieli Foundation, Dr. Naomi Azrieli, commented.
Danna Azrieli, her co-chair, also made a point of adding that "our mission is to open doors for people, from the most vulnerable to the most exceptional. As builders, we open doors literally and metaphorically, so we are thrilled that the Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences will enable these brilliant scientists to explore brain research. We look forward to seeing what lies ahead through the doors of this new Azrieli Institute of Brain and Neural Sciences."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
