First of all, we wanted to say hello to the winner of the Israel Prize 2019. Without a doubt, this is a great honor. Thank you for agreeing to meet us. First, can you tell us why you won?
I have won it because of the understanding of how programmed cell death works in the mechanisms and genes associated with this phenomenon,

and on the understanding of the

protein map. How

toidentify the weak spots

of the cells in which it

is worthwhile to kill

the cell. This is the general

idea behind winning the prize. 

You have won many awards; The Milstein Award, Landau, EMET, is there an award that you are most excited about?
I think it's the Israel Prize because it is an Israeli one, and it's more exciting than a professional prize.

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As girls who are participating in the Cracking the Glass Ceiling, it is known that you were the president's advisor to promote women. Can you tell us about the job?
It bothered me that there are a few women in academic institutions at the level of Professors in Israel and all over the world. In the field of science there are not enough women. Many of the female students stop and drop out of school at some point along the road, and we wanted to investigate where they stopped and what caused it. Why we drop out at some point and do not reach the higher echelons. That was the job, to figure out where the problem begins. The difficulty of combining a career with a family seems very difficult, but it is possible. Women should be given equal opportunities. For example, if a woman undergoes difficulties after birth, she will still be able to maintain her status. To give equal opportunities, not to make affirmative action, simply to allow women to put together a career in science and family and get what they want to achieve. We lose brilliant minds as soon as they drop out, science loses. That's it, to develop new strategies together with women's advisers who will treat them equally and allow them to breathe.

Do you feel that you have been unfairly treated for being a woman?
No, because in science versus other subjects the achievements are very well defined and measured so no matter whether it is a man or a woman. In science the problem is dropping out. Once you enter the system you want to continue but it is a hard task to achieve. 

Do you have any new plans for the future? A new research?
Sure, there are always plans. In science once you answer one question immediately, another 100 new questions are opened. The more you know the more you see there is still a lot more to explore.

As a high-ranking woman, do you feel you're inspiring other girls?
Yes, of course. I was the head of a department here and head of the Council of Professors. I did it as an example to show that there aren't many woman and once you see that a woman is in these positions you see that it is possible. It does not come at the expense of the family and my children, and it is possible to combine these two things together. When you show that you are able to combine the two things it is undoubtedly inspiring.

Were there any younger scientists who came to ask for advice?
Yes, many female scientists, female students and young professors come for advice. For example, one girl on her maternity leave thought it impossible to go back to her career and I advised her to come back to it. I told her that it was always possible to continue in her career.

Do you have a tip for girls of our age who want to follow a path similar to yours?
Yes, just believing in yourself. There is nothing that can stop you. Believe in yourself, invest in things you love, develop and grow. There is no limit to what you can do.

Were you surprised when you received the announcement of winning the Israel Prize?
I was pleasantly surprised and was really happy when I received the phone message from Bennett. I was surprised that out of all these great candidates, I was the winner.
Professor Kimchi, thank you very much for agreeing to meet with us.