Omer Yehezkeli – Biographical Sketch
The laboratory of Nano-bio interfaces https://yehezkeli.net.technion.ac.il/
Academic Degrees
2009-2014 Ph.D., Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2006-2008 M.Sc., Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2003-2006 B.Sc., Chemistry (minor, Molecular Biochemistry), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Academic Appointments
2023- Assoc. Prof. Department of Biotechnology & Food Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology Haifa, Israel.
2017-2023 Assistant Prof. Department of Biotechnology & Food Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology Haifa, Israel.
2013-2017 Post-Doc, Research Associate, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder
Professional Experience (outside academia)
2008-2010 R&D at Sensogene (for Medingo)-implanted amperometric glucose biosensors
Research Interests (with selected publications)
The main research theme of my group is to understand the conditions needed to interface biotic and abiotic materials. We wish to use this knowledge to gain new properties and enhanced abilities. Our goal is to develop interfaced systems that display synergetic effects with non-natural enzyme activation triggers for both fundamental research and practical applications. From a broader perspective, we wish to blur the boundaries between the biotic and the abiotic world, which could contribute to humanity's need for renewable energy, sustainability, and human health. Our main areas of focus are:
- Cyborg organisms
- Biotic-abiotic photo(bio)electrochemical cells for artificial photosynthesis processes
III. Amperometric biosensors and biofuel cell devices
- Interfacing quantum dots (QDs) with enzymes for photo-induced activation
Grants (2019-2023), Competative
- 2020-2023, ISF, Nitrogenase Based Nano-Bio-Hybrid Systems for Photo-biocatalytic and Photo-bioelectrocatalyic Processes
- 2021-2023 Israel Ministry of Energy - Biotic/abiotic photo-bioelectrochemical cells
- 2023-2025 Israel Ministry of Energy Conversion of Biomass or Bioplastic Waste (PLA) into Fuels or Electrical Power Using Biotic-Abiotic Configurations (with Prof. Ayelet Fishman).
- 2023-2025 Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Israel Croatia program, Development of Artificial Enzymes for The Photoconversion of Waste to Hydrogen
Other grants
2019, SAEF, Nano-Bio Hybrid Systems for Ammonia or Fuel Generation
- 2018, Spira fund, Enzyme-Based Photoelectrochemical Systems for Photo-Biocatalytic Processes
- 2019, NEVET- Grand Technion Energy Program (GTEP), 2019, Unbiased photoelectrochemical cell based on BiVO4/Mn12O12(O2CR)16(H2O)4 photoanode and Bilirubin oxidase/ABTS/polydopamine cathode. Shared with Galia Maayan, Chemistry
- 2020, NEVET (received continuation)- Grand Technion Energy Program (GTEP), 2020, Unbiased photoelectrochemical cell based on BiVO4/ Mn12O12(O2CR)16(H2O)4 photoanode and Bilirubin oxidase/ABTS/polydopamine cathode. Shared with Galia Maayan, Chemistry
- 2021, Israel Innovation Authority, Kamin Program, Development of FAD/FMN dependent GDH and LDH Bioanodes for Analyte Detection and the Construction of Biofuel Cell Devices
- 2024 Tstart Dual, continuous monitoring of interstitial glucose and lactate using amperometric biosensors and microneedle arrays
- 2024 Dorot foundation Bioengineered SP1 Optimized for Perovskites Heterostructures Growth and Stabilization shard with Prof. Bekenstein
Active reviewer:
2019-Present: Chemistry of materials, Nano letters, Journal of American Chemical Society, Nature Communication, Advanced Science, ACS sensors Advanced Energy Materials, Angew. Chem. In Ed. ( top 10% of reviewers for Angewandte Chemie), ACS Applied Nano Materials, ACS catalysis, Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, ChemCatChem, ChemElectroChem, Bioelectrochemistry, Chemical Engineering Journal, Nanomaterials, Israel Journal of Chemistry, Biomolecules, Sensors, Materials, Nanomaterials, Catalysis communication, Catalysts, Biosensors, ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
2017-2018: Nature Communication, Bioelectrochemistry, CO2 Utilization, Sensors, Thin Solid Films, Light: Science & Applications, (Nature), Catalysis Communication
2013-2016: Journal of American chemical society, Fuel Cells, Sensors, Materials, Nanomaterials
MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Israel Society for Biotechnology Engineering (ISBE)
International electrochemical society (ISE)
Israel chapter-ISE (IL-ISE)
American chemical society (ACS)
Bioelectrochemical Society (BES)
Israel chemical society (ICS)
2023-2025 vice chair of division 2, Bioelectrochemistry, ISE.
FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS AND HONORS
- 2023 Daniel Shiran Biomedical Innovation Award
- 2023 Hershel Rich Technion Innovation Award
- 2022 Excellent publication in leading scientific journals, Grand Technion Energy Program “Protein-Mediated Biosynthesis of Semiconductor Nanocrystals for Photocatalytic NAD(P)H Regeneration and Chiral Amine Production”
- 2021 Excellent publication in a leading scientific journal, Grand Technion Energy Program . “Tailoring QDs Sizes for Optimal Photoinduced Catalytic Activation of Nitrogenase”
- 2020 Excellent publication in a leading scientific journal, Grand Technion Energy Program “Photosynthesis Z-Scheme Biomimicry: Photosystem I/BiVO4 Photo-Bioelectrochemical Cell for Donor-Free Bias-Free Electrical Power Generation”
- 2016 Catalysis and Surface Science Super Group (CSSSG), Speaker of the Year.
- 2015 The American Institute of Chemist Post-Doctoral Award.
- 2011-2013 The Levi Eshkol doctoral scholarship for scientific achievement, the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology.
- 2009, 2011 Jacob Laivand Award for Alternative Energy Research.