PhD Trailblazers Honored For Computer Science Achievements

Four Israeli PhD students have been named winners of the second annual Blavatnik Prizes for Outstanding Doctoral Students in the field of computer science.

The ceremony, at Tel Aviv University (TAU) earlier this month, was attended by British-American industrialist and philanthropist Sir Leonard (Len) Blavatnik, long-time TAU benefactor and supporter of science, innovation, and higher education in Israel. The Blavatnik School of Computer Science plays a crucial part in TAU’s real-world contributions that advance innovation. 

“Israel is at the forefront of the ongoing computer science revolution that increasingly affects everyday lives around the world,” said Sir Leonard. “As such, it is vital to amplify the academic achievement of emerging trailblazers, who are poised to become future leaders and innovators in academia and industry.”

The prizes are provided through generous funding from the Blavatnik Family Foundation, a more than a decade old philanthropic organization that backs and finances numerous scholarships and programs through its Blavatnik Initiative. 

A jury of computer science experts from TAU, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem select winners from a pool of doctoral students and recent PhD recipients from all Israeli universities whose research targets high-impact areas that contribute to Israel’s economic prosperity.

The 2022 recipients were: Nave Frost of Tel Aviv University; Gal Yona of the Weizmann Institute of Science; Assaf Shocher of the Weizmann Institute of Science; and Leshem Choshen of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.  

“Again and again, Sir Leonard Blavatnik has demonstrated his heartfelt commitment to nurturing the next generation of outstanding young scientists and creators – at TAU, in Israel and globally,” said TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat. “We at Tel Aviv University are grateful for his support and friendship that is felt throughout the campus, and that is opening new avenues for excellence in crucial fields.”

“Israeli PhD fellows in computer science contribute immensely to research and teaching that move the field forward,” said Prof. Sivan Toledo, head of the Blavatnik School of Computer Science at Tel Aviv University. 

“Sir Leonard Blavatnik and his considerable contributions play an immeasurable role in propelling them to new frontiers. The Blavatnik Prizes celebrate the achievements of the best of these PhD students, and the Blavatnik School of Computer Science is honored to award these prizes for the second time.”