Our Team
Prof. Meir Plotnik
Science director of CATR since 2012 and a faculty member in Sackler medicine department in Tel Aviv University.
I am a neurophysiologist, and my studies and subsequent research focused on motor control and vestibular function. I have about 20 years of experience conducting both animal and human research, on motor control and vestibular function (balance control). In the past several years I have been investigating gait and postural stability in different patients’ cohorts. My work is generally distinguished by first modeling and theorizing the problem and then empirically investigates it.
In our center we employ inter-disciplinary approach, in collaboration with physicians, physicists and engineers. I have the expertise and enthusiasm to contribute on the aspects of balance evaluation and physiological parameters. I am always open to new ideas and collaborations engaged with the combination of physiology and technology in basic science, clinical applications or device development.
Education: PhD in Physiology, the Hebrew University - (1993 – 1998)
M.Sc. in Physiology, Tel Aviv University (1988 – 1993)
Email: Meir.Plotnik@sheba.health.gov.il
Noam Galor
R&D Engineer and lab manager
R&D engineer specializing in biomechanics and Parkinson's disease research. Additionally, the research coordinator and labs' activity manager. An alumnus of the Bio-Medical Engineering Department at Ben Gurion University.
Yotam Bahat
VR expert. I am responsible for creation of VR environments, both for clinical and research use, and for the implementations of the scenes in the CAREN Labs.
This includes:
- 3D modeling and texturing
- 3D animations
- Programming all functionalities to suite the CAREN labs (proper projection, moving platform, treadmill, other inputs/outputs)
- Relevant MoCap settings.
In addition, my responsibilities are technical maintenance and troubleshooting, operating in selected researches and staff training.
Amihai Gottlieb
I have been a researcher and research coordinator at CATR for the past decade. I hold a PhD in cognitive psychology from Tel-Aviv University. My tenure at CATR has involved coordinating numerous studies, including significant EU-funded projects over a period of three years. I have contributed to over 10 peer-reviewed papers, serving as the first author on three of them. Currently, my role includes assisting in the publication of journal and conference papers and the submission of grant applications..
Dr. Benedetta Heimler
Senior Researcher
I am a cognitive neuroscientist with extensive experience in sensory-motor plasticity and rehabilitation.
I direct and manage CATR research on Parkinson’s disease (PD), with a focus on gait and balance motor disorders and freezing of gait. My research spans from basic science questions aiming at uncovering neural/physiological signatures of PD motor symptoms, to the development and implementation of cutting-edge rehabilitation programs aiming at reducing these symptoms, and thus improving the quality of life of PD patients.
Coral Sheffi
PhD student
I am a Neuropsychologist experienced in neuroscience research in the field of perception. I have a Master's degree from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and currently doing my Ph.D. at the Center of Advanced Technologies in Rehabilitation (CATR) through the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. As part of my Ph.D. research, I am studying the affective modulation of integrative cognitive, motor, and neurophysiological processes in healthy and clinical populations using VR
Adi Lustig
PhD student
I am a biomedical engineer with a BSc degree from Technion institute of technology and a MSc degree from Tel-Aviv University.
I am currently doing my PhD studying integrative neurophysiological processes in health and disease using virtual reality at the Center of Advanced Technologies in Rehabilitation (CATR) together with the Sackler faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University.
Mishel Kasperuk
MSc student at TAU Sagol clinical programme
Project Title: 'Eye tracking in Parkinson's patients with stagnant walking - FOG'
Maya Ben Yacov
B.Sc. Student
I am a B.Sc. Student in Computer and Life sciences at the Open University. I joined the lab during my IDF service in R&D Physiology in the Medical Corps. Currently working on cognitive-motor deterioration due to 26-h shifts in doctors
Past team members:
Dr. Glen M Doniger, PhD
Research scientist and a project director.
My research focuses on how VR can be used to better understand the interface between cognitive and motor function in the real world and ultimately to devise effective therapeutic strategies to improve the lives of patients suffering from sequel of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. I am also interested in the neural “perceptual closure processes” involved in the visual recognition of common objects from partial information. I have significant experience developing and validating a computerized neurocognitive assessment platform for profiling and tracking subtle cognitive deficits associated with a variety of conditions.
Education: Post doctorate in Efferent Vestibular System University of Chicago (1998 – 2001)
PhD New York University (2001)
MA New York University (1999)
BA Yeshiva University (1997)
Email: glen.doniger@sheba.health.gov.il
Desiderio Cano Porras
I am a bioengineer and work as a researcher in the framework of the project "Perception and Action in Complex Environments" (PACE Project - H2020). In addition, I am a PhD student in Tel Aviv University and conduct my doctoral research in CATR.
My project:
Investigating how VR can influence motor learning and sensorimotor integration in neurological patients. My project aims to investigate how perception and action work in VR, and to provide recommendations for clinical use of VR in rehabilitation programs.
Evyatar Arad
R&D engineer specializing in physiological signal processing, alumnus of the Bio-Medical Engineering department at Ben-Gurion University.
Examples of my work in CATR include:
- Development of computational EEG motion-artifact reduction methods for the analysis of EEG signals recorded during locomotion.
- Development of methods and tools for EEG and EMG signal-analysis for detecting gait disturbances in PD patients.
- Studying the effects of split-belt treadmill walking on impaired bilateral coordination of gait in PD.
- Investigating bi-hemispheric cortical synchronization using Time Delay stability and Phase synchronization in subjects with PD.
Adam Grinberg
Physical therapist specializing in orthopedic and sport physical therapy, alumnus of Tel Aviv University.
Examples of projects I am associated with:
- “Studying the dynamics of neurophysiological networks' interactions predisposing freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease with virtual reality” project, sponsored by the Israel Science Foundation.
- Studying gait adaptation in Parkinson's disease patients, using a split belt treadmill paradigm.
- "Landing without visual input – Motor learning of compensatory internal feedforward based strategies" – Master's thesis project.
Lotem Kribus-Shmiel
R&D engineer, alumnus of the Biomedical Engineering department at the Technion, Israel (IIT).
Examples of my work in CATR include:
- Development of a stabilization algorithm for coordination of limbs while walking on treadmill (Tied belt and Split belt)
- Recovery algorithm development for gait parameters.
- Audio-Visual affinity response time - hand movement analysis.
- Out of body experience induced by virtual reality environment – analysis of ECG and performance times.
- Assessment of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) via wearable wireless sensors.
- Assessing coordination between left and right eye movement during Nystagmus.
Shani Kimel-Naor
R&D engineer specializing in biomechanics, alumnus of bachelor and master degree from the Biomedical Engineering department in Tel Aviv University. In addition, I am also CATR activity management coordinator.
My projects:
• Evaluation of the physiological-cognitive-autonomic interaction during combat-related physical strains in a virtual reality environment*
• Evaluation of physical and cognitive performance after simulated road march with and without cognitive load in discharged combat soldiers*
• Biological signals processing for assessing anxiety level
• Development algorithms for evaluation of balance by analyzing center of pressure (CoP) and center of mass (CoM) signals
• Assessment of balance impairment in panic disorder patients
• Biomechanics of the body during self-paced walking on different inclinations
*(collaboration with Heller Institute, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps)
Uri Rosenblum Belzer
I am a physiotherapist, an alumnus of the Physical Therapy department at Ben-Gurion University and a Health Science PhD student at the Physical Therapy department at Ben-Gurion University.
My projects:
- Leader of the “Algorithms Development for the Analysis of Physiological Networks for Fall Prevention in Elderly Subjects With and Without Neurological Disease Using VR Environments” project, sponsored by Israel’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
- Balance recovery strategies following a trip or slip perturbation while walking.
- Center of mass dynamics of balance recovery during walking.
- Kinetic and kinematics properties of balance recovery during walking.
Oran Ben-Gal
Biomedical R&D engineer, alumnus of the Bio-Medical Engineering department at Ben-Gurion University. I am specializing in developing VR environments for our systems and for headsets.
My projects:
- Developing algorithms via Matlab for the analysis of data collected in an Alzheimer's project.
- An inter-tap interval project which compare between young and elderly healthy adults in hand tapping tasks with different auditory cues.
- Development of ecological cognitive tests by using the VR headset
Maya Cohen
R&D engineer, alumnus of the Bio-Medical Engineering department at Tel-Aviv University.
My projects:
• Neurocognitive tests in virtual reality - Research coordination, Data management & Analysis, development of ecological cognitive tests for VR head mounted display (HMD).
• Alzheimer's project – research coordination and data managing.
• Development of algorithm via Matlab for analysis of arm swing.
Zoya Katzir
PhD student in the Center of Advanced Technologies in Rehabilitation (CATR) at Sheba Medical Center together with Tel Aviv University. I hold BSc and MSc degrees in life sciences, both from Ben-Gurion University. My master's thesis focused on protein biochemistry and structure-function interactions.
At CATR, my research focuses on studying the dynamics of neurophysiological networks' Interactions predisposing Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's disease using virtual reality to provoke FOG episodes by influencing sensory (e.g., visual, auditory, proprioceptive), cognitive and motor competencies.
In addition, I am responsible for coordination of CATR clinical trials according for GCP requirements.
Amit Benady
MD-PhD student. I am currently completing a medical degree at St. George’s University of London in conjunction with Sheba Medical Center. In addition, I am conducting my PhD research at the Center of Advanced Technologies in Rehabilitation (CATR) at Sheba Medical Center together with Bar Ilan University.
I hold BSc and MSc degrees in neuroscience, both from Tel Aviv University. My master’s thesis focused on biochemical mechanisms of traumatic brain injury.
In CATR I participate in several studies, the main ones are:
- sensorimotor integration in the context of locomotion using virtual reality.
- characterizing self paced mode walking in an elderly population.
- Studying gait parameter changes during aging.
Or Koren
R&D engineer specializing in physiological signal processing, alumnus of the Bio-Medical Engineering department at Afeka College of engineering.
Examples of my work in CATR include:
- Development of computational EEG motion-artifact reduction methods for the analysis of EEG signals recorded during locomotion.
- Development of methods and tools for EEG and EMG signal-analysis for detecting gait disturbances in PD patients.
- Investigating bi-hemispheric cortical synchronization using Time Delay stability and Phase synchronization in subjects with PD.
Galina Berestetsky
R&D engineer specializing in physiological signal processing.
My responsibilities include:
• Analysis of physiological datasets
• Integration of physiological recording with VR for biofeedback applications
• Interfacing with external vendors to source hardware and software solutions
• Guiding students in capstone projects
Education:
• MA Cognitive Science - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• BSc Mechanical Engineering - Michigan Technological University
Dr. Shlomit Zorani, PhD
I'm working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Sagol Center, collaborating with CATR. My academic journey started with a B.Sc. in Optometry from Bar Ilan University, followed by an M.Sc. in Vision Sciences and a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from Tel Aviv University. My focus has always been on understanding visual perception and related brain diseases, leading to several scientific publications.
Now, I'm studying the offspring of Alzheimer's patients, searching for early signs of the disease. Alongside my research, I teach at the Bachelor's Degree Academy in Optometry in HAC Jerusalem, sharing my knowledge and passion with students
