Richard Isralowitz, Ph.D.
Professor (Emeritus) Richard Isralowitz is Director of the Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research (RADAR) Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU). He has served as senior advisor to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs for health and social program development in Africa and the Middle East. Recognition and honor for his professional work include "Distinguished International Scientist" - US National Institute on Drug Abuse; "Fulbright Fellow" - National University of Singapore; "International Scholar" - New York University; "Hallsworth Professor of Social Policy" - University of Manchester, England; and, "Research Fellow", United States Department of Justice. He received his doctorate from the Heller Graduate School for Advanced Studies in Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University. His professional publication record includes over 150 articles and 12 books on health and policy related issues.
Alexander Reznik, Ph.D.
Alexander Reznik is Senior Research Associate, Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research (RADAR) Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He received his doctorate from the Institute of Psychology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow. Dr. Reznik is the author of books and scientific publications on substance abuse among high risk populations including former Soviet Union immigrants. His research interests include multicultural aspects of substance use, immigration, acculturation, and vulnerable populations.
Yuval Zolotov, Ph.D.
Dr. Yuval Zolotov is a Senior Research Associate, Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research (RADAR) Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Yuval is involved with the medical cannabis ecosystem and his professional work is dedicated to this issue. Dr. Zolotov completed his PhD in Public Health at the University of Haifa. His dissertation is titled "Medical Cannabis Recommendation: Understanding and Predicting Physicians' Behavior." Dr. Zolotov has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and is constantly collaborating with local and international researchers.
Mor Yehudai, MSW
Mor Yehudai is the RADAR Center program and fiscal manager. She is responsible for the RADAR Center's student scholarship program; and, is involved with research of COVID-19 impact on social work student health and well-being. She completed her undergraduate social work degree at Haifa University and MSW at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU). Her graduate thesis research, involving UCLA experts, focused on parenting skills among substance abusing mothers. Also, Ms. Yehudai is a graduate of the Tel Aviv University trauma program and serves as a mental health officer in the Israel Defense Forces reserves. Mor works as a social worker for the Ministry of Health – Beer Sheva Psychiatric Hospital addressing mental health and substance use issues.
Adi Dagan, M.B.A
Adi Dagan is a RADAR Center project development manager. Her responsibilities include organization and coordination of major survey initiatives including those linked to COVID-19 and other disaster conditions, voluntary service agencies and university "help" profession students. Ms. Dagan completed her undergraduate degree in social work and a Masters of Business Administration at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev - Mandel Social Leadership Program. Experienced in community and coalition building, Adi serves as a senior mental health officer in the Israel Defense Forces - Trauma Prevention Unit.
Shmaya Bender, B.A
Shmaya Bender is a RADAR Center research assistant with responsibilities for program budget management. He has conducted and published research on the impact of COVID-19 among university "help" profession students' health and well-being.
Recipient of the RADAR Center Award for Academic Excellence, Shmaya is completing
his graduate studies in the "BGU - Mandel Program for Social Leadership".
Shai-li Romem Porat, B.S.W student
Shai-li Romem Porat is a RADAR Center research assistant with fiscal and program development responsibilities. With gaming experience, he is applying his knowledge of this issue to its association with COVID-19, isolation, and loneliness.
Noa Levy, (B.S.W student)
Noa Levy is the recipient of the BGU-RADAR Center - Suse Smetana (Z"L) Scholarship for excellence in social service and volunteerism. With scholarship support, Noa will continue to address the needs of individuals and groups who are underserved and find difficulty obtaining their rights. "I have chosen to work with the elderly population in Israel because I understand how vital it is to help them deal with the challenges of life, especially those who have experienced considerable hardship."
Noa, a BGU Dept of Social Work undergraduate student, will fulfill her scholarship volunteer obligation with "Amcha", a non-profit organization that address the needs of Holocaust survivors and their families,as well as serve as a RADAR Center research assistant addressing important factors related to quality of life among older adults.
Prof. Richard Isralowitz, RADAR Center Director (left) with Dr. Darwin Telias, M.D. (right). Dr. Darwin Telias, a psychiatrist and pioneer in prevention and treatment services for people with addiction, worked with Prof. Isralowitz for more than 20 years in areas of education, training and research promoting RADAR Center efforts.
