Dr. Naama Assayag
Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences
My life before BGU:
I was born and raised in Beer-Sheva, where I graduated from Amit Beer-Sheva High School, located right next to Soroka Hospital. I completed my bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, on Mount Scopus, at the School of Occupational Therapy. I pursued my postdoctoral research at Tel Aviv University, in the Department of Occupational Therapy.
Why BGU?
I came here to help establish the Department of Occupational Therapy. I believe that launching this department at the University will not only provide the most professional training for occupational therapists, but will also lead to the development of occupational therapy services in southern Israel. I love the Negev and its diverse human landscape.
My research:
I study substance abuse disorders (commonly known as addiction). As part of my research, we developed a new intervention program aimed at improving the daily functioning of individuals with substance abuse disorders residing in therapeutic communities.
An insight from my research:
Daily strategies to improve self-regulation and executive functions can significantly enhance personal functioning. Go for it!
As for addiction—the best approach is prevention! We all share responsibility for this as a society.
Something that doesn't appear on my CV:
I love the kitchen and family time. A lot. I also love hiking and am a nature enthusiast.
A source of inspiration:
I feel the people around me in my daily life, all of them, are my inspiration. And I strive to live by the teachings of Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers).
If I weren’t a researcher, I’d be...
a full-time occupational therapist, working with at-risk youth and adults struggling with addiction.
