Avraham Barbi : Ascola member, graduate of the Odyssey program at the Israel College of Technology – theTechnion, Quantum Technologies Officer, Science and Technology Unit, The Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D).

Avraham grew up in MaalotTarshiha in the Galilee. In middle school, he admits to being bored and disrupting classes. His father made an agreement with his teachers to have him study alone in the library. "I wanted to seek knowledge elsewhere, so I enrolled in the 'Odyssey' program at the Technion (of the Center for Future Scientists and the Ministry of Education), where I discovered my fascination with physics." Avraham is presently a member of the program's alumni network and is on the brink of completing his master's degree in quantum information at the Hebrew University.

Furthermore, he is a researcher in a joint group with the National Center for Quantum Technologies in Raphael, where he is contributing to the design of Israel's defense quantum computer. "I aspire to participate in valuable and challenging projects that will shape the future of our nation," he concludes. For more details click here.

Keshet Shavit: Ascola member, graduate of the Odyssey Ben Gurion program, 23, biological crystal researcher.

Keshet grew up in Kibbutz Bari, where her mother, a science teacher, exposed her to the world of science at a young age. At 14, she was accepted into academic study programs for high school students at Ben Gurion University - Odyssey (by the Center for Future Scientists and the Ministry of Education) and Marie Curie, where she studied for her bachelors degree. She conducted research in Professor Amir Sagi's laboratory, presenting the results at conferences and publishing an academic article at just 18 years old.

Three years ago, at age 21, Keshet approached Nobel Prize winner Ada Yonat and secured a summer internship in her laboratory studying the ribosome structure of a bacterium with antibiotics that inhibit its development. She conducted this research while simultaneously completing her outstanding program bachelors degree in chemistry at Ben Gurion University.

Shortly after completing her army service, Keshet was invited to participate in a study on crystal formation mechanisms in the eyes of crabs, funded by the European Union. A crystal is a solid material made up of building blocks arranged in a cyclic pattern. Animals produce crystals with properties and shapes that a laboratory cannot create. "The goal of the research is to study the chemical and biological strategies of nature to create crystals. Understanding the way in which crabs control crystals in their eyes can help in the treatment of diseases and in the engineering of new materials," says Keshet. "The results of the research we performed may help treat diseases, engineer new materials, and develop innovative optical technologies, such as thinner than ever screens or camouflage capabilities," she adds. The results of the study were published in the prestigious Science magazine. For further details click here.