BILHA FISCHER – A BRIEF BIOSKETCH

• Position: Full Professor in the Chemistry department, Bar-Ilan University.
• Professional experience: Leading a research group focusing on drug development and diagnostics, involved in national and international collaborations both in academia and industry for the last 20 years.
• Education: MSc degree in Medicinal Chemistry (chemistry of carbohydrates) under the supervision of Prof. A. Nudelman/BIU; PhD in Organic Chemistry (chemistry of heterocycles)/BIU under the supervision of Prof. A. Hassner; Post-doctorate (chemistry of nucleosides and nucleotides, molecular modeling) under the supervision of Dr. K. Jacobson/NIH, MD, USA.
• Teaching experience: Courses in - Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Modern Strategies in Drug Design, Bio-in-organic Chemistry, Bio-organic seminar, and Organic Chemistry Laboratory.
• Over 110 papers and 10 patents.
• Membership: Vice dean of Scool of advanced studies,  Bar-Ilan U senate member, member of the Israel Prize committee (in the field of Chemistry and Physics), former head of the Chemistry department, former Rector’s advisor for promotion of women in academia; Member of the Board of Executives of the Israeli Chemical Society, MSc Degree committee, PhD Degree committee, Referee of the Israeli Science Foundation committee, Referee of the Fulbright Foundation, Departmental Teaching committee, Member of the University Appointment and Promotion committee. 

• Prizes: Teva Prize for excellent young scientists; Juludan Prize (Technion) for the Application of Exact Sciences to Medicine; Shoham Prize for arts

MY CREDO

General – I believe that Israel, which is almost devoid of natural resources, should focus on its human resources, in particular on scientists and engineers, to promote the Israeli economics. We, as scientists, must take part of this effort to promote science in Israel.

Drug Development - I believe that we as medicinal chemists take part in TIKUN OLAM = we Make the World a Better Place. This is our duty and privilege.

Industry – Currently there is some gap between academia and industry, which I believe should be bridged by joining forces and working-out common initiatives.

Community - I believe that the academia is like Aladdin’s treasure cave. The numerous treasures of knowledge should be shared with community.