Algorithm Architect Breaks Barriers

Prof. Meirav Zehavi's fascination with computer science theory, particularly algorithms, began during her bachelor's studies. Over the years, this fascination evolved into expertise, paving the way for a distinguished research career. 

Prof. Zahavi works on problems that continue to challenge her, and in 2023, her results won her the prestigious Krill Prize for Excellence in Scientific Research - awarded to researchers in Israel who have demonstrated significant research breakthroughs in the fields of exact sciences, life sciences, and medicine, engineering, and agriculture. "I don't view my occupation as 'work,' but as a source of pleasure, creativity, independence, knowledge and self-fulfillment," she says.

Prof. Zehavi completed her three degrees at the Technion. Her doctoral dissertation dealt with the development of parametric algorithms for problems that have applications in bioinformatics. Her explanation is straightforward: "I like solving problems, and algorithms are basically 'recipes' for solving problems. I became interested in parametric algorithms specifically while studying for my master’s degree and over the years, I was increasingly impressed by the mathematical complexity of this field. I discovered applications in diverse fields such as computational geometry, computational economics, and bioinformatics".

Prof. Zehavi joined the Department of Computer Science at Ben-Gurion University about five years ago. "Choosing an academic career track was the natural step for me after finding, during my graduate studies, that research is fun and satisfying. It is unique in that it allows for creativity and new discoveries."

As for BGU’s role in her success, Prof. Zehavi says: "The University provided the means to realize my research potential. The academic level in the Computer Science Department is very high. The environment is very professional and practical, and it is also pleasant socially".

“I believe in working hard. I also think it's important that researchers love what they do, not only so that they succeed, but also so that they enjoy the journey to discovery".

What gives you job satisfaction?

"After spending a long time working on a problem without making any progress, when it looks like I’m heading for a dead end, a new insight sometimes illuminates the problem in an exciting new way. In other cases, it is not new light revealing something previously unseen, but rather familiar pieces of the puzzle that had appeared to be useless and here they just fall into place, illuminating the way to an immediate solution. Such moments in one’s work are magical, and they give great satisfaction. Another sort of satisfaction comes after continuous hard work on lots of small details, and the pride one feels when the project is completed. That's how I felt when I finished working on a book in my field that will be published soon".

As a woman scholar in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subject, you’ve probably encountered a few difficulties. What kind of challenges have you faced?

"The main challenges arose while I was at school - not academic challenges, but social ones, in the sense that society (and especially children, although I don't know if this is as true today as it used to be) expects girls to focus on 'less mathematical' fields. I also felt this during my undergraduate studies - albeit to a much lesser extent than at school - but happily, once I was in graduate school those background noises disappeared. Drawing on my own personal experience, I think that the main obstacle that needs removing involves overcoming social conditioning and ways of thinking acquired during childhood".

What advice would you give to young women researchers planning an academic career?

"Believe in yourself, be diligent, don't be afraid to ask questions and don't hesitate to be bold.”

If you weren't a researcher at the university, what would you want to be?

"I would like to be a veterinarian, and realize my love of animals."

Adapted from an original article in issue 112 of Aleph-Bet-Gimmel, the University’s Hebrew language magazine. For the original article.