Yaara Oren & Inbal Wortzel

Zuckerman Faculty Scholars Inbal Wortzel and Yaara Orenwere named among three women making a significant difference in cancer research at Tel Aviv University’s Gray School of Medical Sciences.

Dr. Wortzel’s research focuses on metastasis and the hidden communication systems that influence how tumors travel, and how the immune system responds, which could lead to strengthening immune-based therapies and preventing cancer from spreading.

“I love what I do because I get to travel all over the world, meet scientists with brilliant minds, and brainstorm about how to make the world a better place,” Dr. Oren said.  Her research focuses on understanding rare, drug-tolerant “persister” cells that survive therapy, and developing new strategies to detect and eliminate them to support longer-lasting treatment outcomes.

As emerging leaders who represent the future of cancer research, both Dr. Wortzel and Dr. Oren represent the growing impact of women in STEM fields. While their critical work advances the fight against cancer, they are inspiring the next generation of women and girls to believe in their potential and pursue scientific discovery, a key goal of the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program.

 “Never lose hope in yourself: always believe in yourself, even when somebody tells you that you cannot. You probably can, and you will,” says Dr. Worzel.