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NEWS
January 15, 2025

Ronit Ilouz, PhD

Scientist Spotlight

ICRF Research Career Development Award Recipient
Studying Personalized Medicine, Targeted Therapy, and Prostate Cancer
Bar Ilan University

Who is Ronit Ilouz, PhD?

Dr. Ilouz is an ICRF-funded Israeli researcher specializing in protein kinases, which are key targets for anti-cancer drugs. Her lab investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms of protein kinases and how they are deregulated in disease. She completed her MSc and PhD degrees at Tel Aviv University and did postdoctoral training at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Diego. She then returned to Israel and assumed a position at Bar-Ilan University, where she is now a principal investigator leading an independent laboratory in the Faculty of Medicine.

She’s a wife and mother of three teenagers, and like any working parent, looks to find a balance while managing the ongoing unimaginable challenges of the current war in Israel.

For Dr. Ilouz, the direct connection she has with patients and families has profoundly influenced her work. “It’s incredibly motivating to know that our scientific discoveries are providing hope to people worldwide.”

Research Overview

“During our ICRF grant period, we made significant progress in understanding how Protein Kinase A (PKA) drives prostate cancer. As a key regulator of cell growth and communication, PKA’s dysfunction can fuel not only prostate cancer but many other cancers.” By combining clinical data with cutting-edge laboratory research, Dr. Ilouz is working to develop targeted, personalized diagnostic tools and treatments for prostate cancer. “Our work brings us closer to delivering precision medicine that can improve early detection and provide more effective therapies for prostate cancer and beyond.”

Dr. Ilouz believes that the close collaboration between the clinic and lab allows her and her team to maximize results. At the clinic, MRI-targeted biopsies are used to collect tissue samples from both suspicious cancerous areas and non-suspicious regions within the same patient. These samples are analyzed in the lab using advanced imaging techniques to evaluate cellular changes and the presence of potential markers linked to cancer progression. This connection between patient imaging, pathology, and molecular analysis has enabled Dr. Ilouz to identify critical changes in PKA that drive cancer growth.

Reflections

“As a scientist in Israel, located in the north, the current situation presents significant challenges. During the war, we experienced repeated disruptions — starting experiments one day and being unable to return the next. This is especially difficult when working with live cells, growing cultures, and animal models, where continuity is crucial. Despite these obstacles, we adapted. We shifted our focus to analyzing data from home, which unexpectedly led to new insights and creative ideas that we might not have developed under normal circumstances. This resilience allowed us to continue moving forward, even when physically away from the lab.”

Dr. Ilouz says that the ongoing instability is still a challenge, but it has also shown the team’s strength and determination. “Our ability to adapt and stay productive despite these hardships reflects not only our commitment to science but also the resilience that comes from being part of a community that faces difficult experiences together.”

After completing her postdoctoral training, Dr. Ilouz recounts that returning to Israel with her family was not easy. “For years, my children struggled to fully understand the meaning and significance of living in Israel. My daughter, in particular, faced a difficult adjustment. She began her army service just before the war started and was indifferent about joining. She felt like her life was ‘on hold’ while her best friends in San Diego were starting college and pursuing their dreams. However, her experience has completely changed. She now serves as an officer in the intelligence department and has never felt more satisfied and fulfilled.”

Why Israel

According to Dr. Ilouz, “cancer research in Israel is uniquely fueled by the strength of personal relationships and deep-rooted friendships formed through shared life experiences. In Israel, it’s common for colleagues to have known each other since high school, served together in the army, or built close-knit communities during postdoctoral studies. These shared experiences create strong bonds and trust that naturally carry over into professional collaboration.” 

Dr. Ilouz believes that this closeness allows for open communication. “If I’m relaxing in the evening and an idea comes to mind, I can easily text a colleague—someone I might have known for years—and by the next day, I could already have the samples or support needed to move forward. These informal, off-the-clock conversations often spark creativity and ideas that might never emerge in formal meetings.” 

“When I bring ideas to the lab, the students become energized and contribute with even greater enthusiasm. Israel’s culture of strong personal connections and shared experiences creates an environment where collaboration feels natural and progress happens quickly. This blend of friendship and science makes cancer research in Israel exceptionally innovative and dynamic.”

Why ICRF

“ICRF has had a profound impact on my research career. It gave me the freedom and confidence to pursue research directions that I might have otherwise set aside. While starting a new project always brings uncertainty, the first year of ICRF funding laid the foundation that propelled my project’s growth and development as it continued. This consistent support transformed my initial idea into successful and impactful research.”

After revisiting her original grant proposal, Dr. Ilouz was amazed at how far she and her team have come. “The progress we made has far exceeded my expectations. This project not only opened exciting scientific opportunities but also helped me grow as a researcher and a mentor. It pushed me and my team to think creatively, take calculated risks, and collaborate in ways that enriched our work. I’m deeply grateful to ICRF for believing in this vision and providing the resources that allowed it to thrive.”

 

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