Dr. Mike Varshavski (known as “Dr. Mike”) will host Americans for Ben-Gurion University’s (A4BGU) “Celebrating the Remarkable 3: Pioneering Medical Science” virtual event on April 23.
A board-certified family medicine physician and social-media influencer, Varshavski has amassed more than 20 million followers across digital platforms. On his YouTube channel, Dr. Mike educates an audience of more than 10 million subscribers about their health and how to spot medical misinformation in all its nefarious forms.
Now in its third year, A4BGU’s annual virtual event will showcase Ben-Gurion University of Negev’s (BGU) latest innovative breakthroughs in the fields of 3D printed science, cancer research, biomedical engineering and more. Participants will discover how the pioneering spirit of Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion lives on through the institution bearing his name. Attendees will also get acquainted with how BGU uses 21st-century medical techniques to train the Negev Desert region’s science leaders of tomorrow.
“In strong alignment with the institution’s namesake, Ben-Gurion University is a true pioneer. The university ignites breakthroughs in fields ranging from cancer research to biomedical engineering and much more, all while training the next generation of medical science professionals who will leverage that cutting-edge research in their indispensable work,” said Dr. Mike. “As a medical professional from the Millennial generation, I understand the urgency of this mission for the vitality of our collective future—and I’m eager to partner with Americans for Ben-Gurion University to raise greater awareness about it.”
The virtual experience, accessible to participants free of charge, will feature a mini-documentary about two BGU professors who are conducting impactful research, Professor Galit Katarivas Levy and Dr. Moshe Elkebets.
Professor Katarivas Levy’s research focuses on the development of biomedical materials using different three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies. Her lab is involved in developing an implant that allows for the controlled release of a chemotherapy drug for Glioblastoma, a deadly and aggressive brain cancer. Elkebets’ laboratory focuses primarily on performing translational experiments on targeted therapeutics and immunotherapy for gynecologic and head and neck cancers.
“We are delighted to be spotlighting Ben-Gurion University’s breakthrough research while providing a platform to its outstanding students and highlighting the myriad ways the institution is bringing innovative solutions to the Negev and beyond,” said Doug Seserman, chief executive officer of A4BGU. “Dr. Mike is a natural choice for hosting this event, given his passion for broadly disseminating medical education on social media and his gift for making the most complex subjects more understandable to all.”
The conference will also feature conversations with students from BGU’s Faculty of Health Sciences programs and, as well as highlight the school’s diverse student body and its exemplification of how coexistence is possible through education.
Finally, the event will display BGU’s new Medical Simulation Building and the ways it is being used to train students, Magen David Adom paramedics and others in the community.
