LA Philanthropist Dariush Fakheri Establishes Project Jacob to Fund Research at BGU
LA Philanthropist Dariush Fakheri Establishes Project Jacob to Fund Research at BGU
November 23, 2010
Business & Management, Medical Research, Negev Development & Community Programs, Press Releases
LOS ANGELES, November 24, 2010 — A Los Angeles philanthropist has created an innovative foundation model that will provide up to $1.2 million to create a fund at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer-Sheva, Israel. It enable the University to more effectively move research developments from the laboratory to commercial applications.
Should the initial research projects become successful, the fund would be reimbursed and future proceeds would be divided between the University’s general fund and the University’s fund to continue to underwrite additional such projects.
Dariush Fakheri, who is president of the International Judea Foundation (IJF) supplying the funding, says that, “Israel’s future and its economy are dependent on continued successful innovation. We are trying to fix the dilemma of too many incredible innovations and discoveries getting stuck in a lab due to limited resources.”
Project Jacob is open to other donors who want to contribute to promising research that requires additional financial support to get it to a stage where patents can be sold.
“Project Jacob” refers to the biblical Jacob, who requested to be paid in speckled goats and sheep while working for his uncle, Laban. Jacob, one of the earliest scientists, initiated a selective breeding program yielding a large flock — and consequent prosperity.
“Project Jacob is a unique and innovative example of channeling philanthropy in support of research on the verge of commercialization that will help the University and impact fields like medicine and alternative energy,” explains Doron Krakow, executive vice president of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. “It is a new avenue through which any donor can support the commercialization of the most promising research at BGU in a targeted way.”
International Judea Foundation’s initial donation will seed three projects chosen by a BGU research committee to receive funding. The organization will provide additional funding up to the $1.2 million based on successful commercialization of these projects.
Among the initial projects chosen by the committee of BGU research heads and Fahkeri for Project Jacob are:
- Retinal Angiography System – Retinal blood flow indicates many health issues, including diabetes mellitus, macular degeneration and vascular occlusion. BGU researchers have developed an image analysis tool from a series of high-resolution angiographic images that allows for the quantification of blood flow and vessels’ permeability to help make diagnoses.
- Balance Training System – This robotic engineering project, a treadmill-like device, simulates real life mobility problems while walking to help improve motion stability for the elderly and disabled.
- Venus Catheter – This device has already been patented but needs refinements to treat thrombosis, or blood clots, which affects 15 million people each year who suffer from strokes.
ABOUT AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
By supporting a world-class academic institution that not only nurtures the Negev, but also shares its expertise locally and globally, Americans for Ben-Gurion University engages a community of Americans who are committed to improving the world. David Ben-Gurion envisioned that Israel’s future would be forged in the Negev. The cutting-edge research carried out at Ben-Gurion University drives that vision by sustaining a desert Silicon Valley, with the “Stanford of the Negev” at its center. The Americans for Ben-Gurion University movement supports a 21st century unifying vision for Israel by rallying around BGU’s remarkable work and role as an apolitical beacon of light in the Negev desert.
About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev embraces the endless potential we have as individuals and as a commonality to adapt and to thrive in changing environments. Inspired by our location in the desert, we aim to discover, to create, and to develop solutions to dynamic challenges, to pose questions that have yet to be asked, and to push beyond the boundaries of the commonly accepted and possible.
We are proud to be a central force for inclusion, diversity and innovation in Israel, and we strive to extend the Negev’s potential and our entrepreneurial spirit throughout the world. For example, the multi-disciplinary School for Sustainability and Climate Change at BGU leverages over 50 years of expertise on living and thriving in the desert into scalable solutions for people everywhere.
BGU at a glance:
20,000 students | 800 senior faculty | 3 campuses | 6 faculties: humanities & social sciences, health sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences, business & management, and desert research.
For all press inquiries, please contact:
James Fattal, J Cubed Communications
516.289.1496
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