At 23 years old, Aseel Gadban has an impressive list of accomplishments under his belt.
He applied to Hebrew University against all odds, studied in a language he does not speak at home, completed two degrees within four years, repeatedly made the Dean’s List, started a PhD at the age of 22, and has become a role model in his community.
Aseel was born to educated parents and grew up in the Druze village of Hurfeish. Good students were expected to choose either medicine, law, or engineering. In fact, until the 11th grade, Aseel was set on studying medicine. But then he had a change of heart. “I didn’t want a doctor’s lifestyle,” he recalls. He had always loved biology, discovering the unknown. “Biologists are the engineers,” he jokes, “and doctors just implement their findings.”
While the Druze community does serve in the military, Aseel received a medical exemption. He knew that his next step would be higher education, and he was encouraged to study closer to home, where he would surely earn top marks. In particular, he was warned against Hebrew University – it was too hard, people said. Not one to follow the herd, he went online and registered at Hebrew University.
He found himself, 17 years old, living in Jerusalem, and studying biology in Hebrew. “We learned Hebrew in school,” he explains. “We just didn’t learn to use it.” He completed his BSc within 2.5 years, and then joined an accelerated MSc track towards the end of his studies, and he was selected to receive a generous scholarship from the Strasal Foundation.
"Not only did the scholarship allow me to dedicate myself to my studies, but it actually motivated me to work even harder! When I heard I would receive the merit-based Strasal scholarship, I felt that my hard work and accomplishments were recognized. The Strasal scholarship encouraged me to aim even higher!
Aseel discovered his interest in stem cells and embryology in Prof. Nissim Benvenisty’s lab, where he completed his doctoral research. The next decision was easy: Aseel decided to continue to doctoral studies.
Aseel is working on two research projects. The first focuses on the FMR1 gene which, when silenced (inactive), causes Fragile X Syndrome. He is working on identifying chemical ways to reactivate the gene in vitro.
His second research project is in parental imprinting, which determines whether specific genes (from either the sperm or the egg) are expressed. When improperly executed, the embryo can develop any number of imprinting disorders, such as Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, or others. Aseel is trying to identify specific regulators that affect imprinting, to provide insight into this process and offer a path towards a cure.
His scholarships make it possible for Aseel to devote all his attention to his studies. “I was making a living as a tutor. Now everything I do is on campus. Even as a teaching assistant, my mind is wrapped around my own research.”
Every year, Aseel is invited to address students at his old high school. He tells them to listen to their hearts. “Follow what you love,” he tells them. “You can be whatever you want to be.” In fact, since he enrolled at Hebrew University, additional students from his village, and the Druze community, have followed in his footsteps – including his brother.
Today there are about 100 Druze students on campus, and they meet regularly through a studen club, Sabil (“path”). “I love hanging out with other Druze students, since we’re a minority within a minority. I still feel connected to my village, even when I’m in Jerusalem,” he says.