Institute Staff
Prof. Shmuel Hayun is a Full Professor in the Department of Materials Engineering at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He earned his B.Sc. degrees in Physics and Materials Engineering, followed by an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Ben-Gurion University. His doctoral research focused on the mechanical properties and microstructure of reaction-bonded boron carbide composites. Prof. Hayun later completed postdoctoral research at the Peter A. Rock Thermochemistry Laboratory, University of California, Davis, supported by the ISEF Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Wolf Foundation Award for Excellence.
Prof. Hayun’s research interests include thermochemistry, thermophysical properties of materials, spark plasma sintering, and advanced ceramics development. He leads the National Center for Thermal Characterization of Materials, where his work bridges fundamental science and industrial applications in aerospace, defense, and energy sectors.
He has published extensively in leading journals, with over 3,400 citations and an h-index of 32. His notable publications cover topics such as high-entropy alloys, spark plasma sintered boron carbide ceramics, and order–disorder transitions in cerium hydrides. His research appears in journals including Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Ceramics International, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, and Inorganic Chemistry.
Dr. Einat Strumza earned her Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in 2022, following an M.Sc. (2018) and B.Sc. (2016) in the same field. Her doctoral research, titled Experimental Thermochemistry and Kinetics of High Entropy Alloys, focused on phase stability and thermodynamic behavior in multicomponent alloy systems. She has received multiple academic honors, including the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Award for Excellence, the European Materials Research Society Best Student Presentation Award, and scholarships from the Kreitman School of Advanced Graduate Studies.
Dr. Strumza’s research interests include high-temperature thermal analysis, phase characterization of complex alloys, and thermophysical properties of advanced ceramics and polymers. She has published extensively in leading journals.
Her contributions advance understanding of high-entropy alloys, additive manufacturing, and thermal characterization techniques, bridging fundamental science and industrial applications
Guy Niv is a Mechanical Engineer (B.Sc.) specializing in energy systems and thermal analysis. He possesses extensive experience in the diagnostics, maintenance, and design of advanced cooling and refrigeration systems, particularly within the medical and defense sectors. Guy integrates applied heat-transfer analysis with strong, hands-on technical troubleshooting capabilities to maintain complex infrastructures.
Ronit Avraham is an engineer with extensive experience in post‑silicon and design validation across mixed‑signal, RF, and high‑volume manufacturing environments. She holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the Technion, an MBA from the Open University, and advanced training in mixed‑signal and RF testing at the University of British Columbia.
Her career includes leading validation, yield improvement, and Tested Development efforts for complex semiconductor products. She has worked across multiple Intel divisions, contributing to SerDes testing, firmware validation, water level methodologies, and end to end product engineering from pre-silicon verification to manufacturing release.
Edna Danon is an experienced Researcher specializing in organic synthesis, analytical chemistry, and Thermochemical research. Holding M.A. in Organic Chemistry. She has worked in both industrial and academic settings, including pharmaceutical R&D and petrochemical analysis, and currently operates advanced instruments and supports research activities with the supervision of Prof. Shmuel Hayun.
Baby Lonia Gorbonosov had more than a decade of extensive experience of administrative role with the following expertise: Documentation Management Systems, Logistic Management which includes the import & export process, Quality Assurance Records and Project Administration Specialist for EPC which includes the tender processing, project scheduling, budgeting and planning. Previously engaged in largescale Renewable Energy Power Plant Projects, Industrial Infrastructures, Refurbishment Works, and Semiconductors Construction in Israel.
