Avi
Gluck

Avi Gluck is a PhD student in the Department of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science under the supervision of Prof. Noam Stern-Ginossar.

His research focuses on the mechanisms employed by SARS-CoV-2 to shut off host protein synthesis and subvert the host cell toward successful viral production.

Avi uses a combination of molecular and high-throughput techniques to probe the mechanism and host factors involved in host mRNA decay induced by the coronavirus. Understanding the specifics of this viral strategy will provide insight into potential treatments, against not only COVID-19 but also potential future novel coronaviruses.

Avi was born in Chicago and immigrated to Israel at the age of 19. He currently lives in Kiryat Gat with his wife and three children. After serving in the IDF as a lone soldier, he obtained a BSc in biochemistry and food science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an MSc at the Weizmann Institute of Science, where he studied host shutoff in coronaviruses. During his undergraduate studies, Avi volunteered at the Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin helping fellow lone soldiers. In his free time, Avi enjoys hiking, running, listening to audiobooks, and spending time with his family.