BSs and MSc degrees in Chemistry from the Technion.
PhD in Computer Science and Biological Chemistry from the Weizmann Institute of Science.
Associate Professor at ETH Zurich until 2024.
Participated in the Technion Excellence Program: 1993 – 1996.
During his Master's studies, Kobi worked under the supervision of Prof. Timor Baasov on the mechanism of the enzyme Kdo8P synthase, a key drug target for the new generation of antibiotics. He took part in the ongoing project that aimed at designing antibacterial drugs. In parallel, he participated in the effort to uncover catalytic properties of natural and synthetic polysaccharides.
After obtaining his MSc degree, Kobi moved to the Weizmann Institute to work on biomolecular computing with Prof. Ehud Shapiro. Together, they built a DNA-based molecular finite automaton, a simple computing device. Later they demonstrated a potential utility of the automaton as a diagnostic tool.
After graduating from the Weizmann Institute, he became a Bauer Fellow and a group leader at the Center for Systems Biology at Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. His work was dedicated to developing biological computers that operate in human cells.
Do you have recommendations to the students enrolled in the program and to future candidates?
"Do not be afraid to take risks and act independently, but listen carefully to your mentors."