Malaria research in Israel?! You read that right!

It doesn’t make sense! Israel is largely desert! Where are the mosquitos? And yet, two doctoral students at Hebrew University’s Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases have made it their mission to gain a deep understanding of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, a pathogen that affects 250 million people and kills 600,000 worldwide annually. Despite years of research, many aspects of the parasite’s basic cell biology remain obscure, hindering rational drug design and improved therapeutic interventions.

So far, their research has revealed new insights into the cell’s physiology; insights they believe could play a vital role in developing drug treatments that would revolutionize how our world fights malaria and other related diseases for years to come.

Meet Amanda and Shirly. In pursuit of their PhD degrees, they have taken on a joint research project that focuses on the relationship between CPN60 (a protein) and ClpP (an enzyme) inside the malaria parasite. Together, they keep the cell alive and allow it to continue its reproductive cycle inside the human body. As most antimalarial drugs work by interrupting various parts of the parasite’s life cycle, analyzing this cycle will allow Shirly and Amanda (and other scientists who study their research in the future) to select, test, and perfect the best-known medical treatments for malaria. The research will also inform the treatment of other diseases caused by parasites.

Amanda and Shirly’s research has the potential to save lives. However, there is an important detail about their own lives that you may not have expected. Shirly is Israeli and Amanda is Palestinian from East Jerusalem. They’re both Fellows in a unique scholarship program called Science Training Encouraging Peace (STEP). Founded in 2013 at Tufts University (in Boston, Massachusetts, USA), STEP is a not-for-profit organization that funds stipends for Israeli and Palestinian science scholars to work in pairs for the full length of their MS, PhD, or MD degrees at Israeli universities (between 2 and 4 years). STEP was founded in response to the ever-present reality that, while Israelis and Palestinians live in close proximity, they are rarely afforded the opportunity to meet one another in a safe, non-polarized environment––let alone the opportunity to work together!

This innovative, cross-border program pairs one Jewish Israeli student with one Palestinian student from the West Bank or East Jerusalem, cultivating a unique environment where science serves as a bridge across cultural divides. By focusing on collaboration in a safe and neutral setting, STEP not only promotes professional partnerships but also nurtures friendships, fostering understanding and empathy in a region where such connections are all too rare. Through shared scientific endeavors, participants embark on a journey of discovery—of knowledge, of each other, and of the possibilities that arise when diverse perspectives come together.

When Amanda was asked to share how STEP has impacted her, she said:

“STEP has strengthened my bond with [my partner] Shirly. It has enhanced our mutual understanding and empathy for one another’s backgrounds and perspectives. I feel I am now more open to how others think or feel and I am scientifically stronger because I have a partner to help me.” 

Shirly agreed, adding, “ I aspire to be a role model for young people, especially young girls, encouraging them to pursue careers in science and medicine. Our partnership is a way to express our values and hopes that there will be more joint scientific and medical research cooperation between Arab and Jewish communities.”

After completion of their doctoral studies, most STEP Fellows take on important positions, both in the region and abroad, and positively influence society from the inside out. As doctors, professors, and governmental assistants, they spread the value of cooperative science and STEP’s culture of coexistence.

Lastly, they’re not alone! STEP has 9 pairs (18 students) currently enrolled. Calling themselves, their faculty, and the program’s founders “the STEP Family,” the pairs conduct daily research on a wide variety of issues facing both Palestinians and Israelis; including cancer, water desalination, agriculture, and mental health.

Shirly and Amanda’s story is a clear example of the fact that Israel’s industry-leading university laboratories are places of great hope and opportunity. On a greater level, and in a time where division dominates the headlines, Amanda, Shirly, and their fellow STEP scientists remind us of what’s possible when people come together with open minds and open hearts. Let their journey be an invitation to support and champion programs that foster cross-cultural partnerships and inspire the next generation to see peace as both a destination and a daily practice.

To learn more about STEP and support our mission, visit: www.step-gtp.org