Israeli paediatrician Dr Moran Almog returned to Israel in August 2020 after completing his 12-month AUSiMED Research Fellowship in Cardiac Embryology at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI) in Sydney.
Moran’s Fellowship was made possible by the generous support of the Lowy Foundation.
Moran describes his Fellowship experience as, ‘a unique experience during an exceptional time.’
He spent a year in Sydney with his family enjoying the cutting-edge research facilities at the VCCRI and learning advanced genomic analysis skills under the supervision of Professor Sally Dunwoodie.
When most VCCRI employees were requested to work from home in March 2020 due to COVID 19, Moran continued his research activities from home. According to Professor Dunwoodie, despite the restricted personal interactions and limited access to the lab, Moran gained the knowledge required to assemble and run a genetic program focused on congenital heart disease. He also formed a clinical and research network of expert clinicians, computer scientists and the experimental biologists that he can draw upon as he works to establish a similar research program in Israel.
Professor Dunwoodie also credited Moran for being a wonderful ambassador for Israel saying,
“I personally really valued the conversations that he and I had about Israel and I know that my colleagues did also.”
AUSiMED wishes Moran great success in his career in paediatric cardiology in Israel.