“Running my own lab is a fascinating challenge. Recruiting new people, designing the space…defining the exact needs. It gives me the opportunity to dream about new research ideas I want to establish.”
First Things First with Dekel Rosenfeld

After spending six years in the US, Dekel Rosenfeld returned to Israel with her family, and she says “it feels good to be back in Israel to establish the new lab, and be reunited with our broader family.” While they were sorry to leave the friends and life they created in Boston, she knows that being back to Israel will help them achieve their true goals. “This is a big adjustment for the entire family, especially for the kids who didn’t remember Israel. Because of the pandemic it’s been four years since they visited Israel.”
Dr. Rosenfeld describes the process of putting together a new lab as “exciting, with many challenges, and discovery of new things.” She says it is the first time that she worked closely with an architect to define the needs of the lab and decide how to set it up to work most efficiently.
“Running my own lab is a fascinating challenge. Recruiting new people, designing the space and being in close contact with sales representatives to order equipment for the lab and defining the exact needs. It also gives me the opportunity to dream about new research ideas I want to establish.”
Dr. Rosenfeld sees a difference in recruiting students, and having to get used to Israeli culture. “In my lab at MIT, we mostly had foreign students, and in Israel recruitment is mostly from the department and faculty of engineering. Also, I benefit from the help I get in Israel from facilities and professional workers.
“Being a Zuckerman scholar helps me build new connections with other scholars and build a broader network. It also gives more opportunities to increase the exposure to the lab research and encourages collaborations with other labs. I also benefit from the networking events.”