Dr. Iris Sonia Weitz

 Refereed Papers

1. Vikas, S. Weitz, L. G. Nobili, L. Magagnin, and P. Saccomandi, Fiber Optic SPR Sensor Modified with Copper Oxide Nanoparticles for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Dopamine. accepted to IEEE Sensor Journal 11.12.2023.

 doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2023.3343600.

2. Rosh Abarbanel, L. Bianchi, S. Korganbayev, A. Pacheco, S. Ashkenazi, P. Saccomandi, I. S. Weitz, Thermal Response of CuO/Polydopamine Nanospheres under NIR Laser Irradiation. Ceramics International, 49 (14), 24302-24311, 2023. DOI:10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.10.313
3. Maor, N. Koifman, E. Kesselman, P. Matsanov, I. Shumilin, D. Harries and I. S. Weitz, Molecular Self-Assembly Under Nanoconfinement: Indigo Carmine Scroll Structures Entrapped Within Polymeric Capsules. Nanoscale, 13 (48), 20462-20470, 2021.

DOI: 10.1039/D1NR06494K

4. Maor, S. Asadi, S. Korganbayev, D. Dahis, Y. Shamay, E. Schena, H. Azhari, P. Saccomandi and I. S. Weitz, Laser-Induced Thermal Response and Controlled Release of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles from Multifunctional Polymeric Nanocarriers. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials 22 (1), 218-233, 2021. DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2021.1883406
5. N. Schiopu Aresteanu, A. Borodetsky, H. Azhari, and I. S. Weitz, Ultrasound-Induced and MRI-Monitored CuO Nanoparticles Release from Micelle Encapsulation, Nanotechnology 32, 055705, 2021. DOI: org/10.1088/1361-6528/abc1a1
6. S. Weitz, O. Perlman, H. Azhari, and S. S. Sivan, In Vitro Evaluation of Copper Release from MRI-Visible, PLGA-based Nanospheres. Journal of Materials Science 56, 718, 2021. DOI: org/10.1007/s10853-020-05296-w
7. Perlman, A. Borodetsky, Y. Kauffmann, Y. Shamay, H. Azhari, and I. S. Weitz, Gold/Copper@Polydopamine Nanocomposite for Contrast-Enhanced Dual Modal Computed Tomography-Magnetic Resonance Imaging. ACS Applied Nano Materials 2 (10), 6124, 2019. DOI: org/10.1021/acsanm.9b00791
8. Benguigui, I. S. Weitz, M. Timaner, T. Kan, D. Shechter, O. Perlman, S. Sivan, Z. Raviv, H. Azhari, and Y. Shaked, Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Inhibit Pancreatic Tumor Growth Primarily by Targeting Tumor Initiating Cells. Scientific Reports 9, 12613, 2019. DOI: org/10.1038/s41598-019-48959-8
9. Perlman, I. S. Weitz, S. S. Sivan, H. Abu-Khalla, M. Benguigui, Y. Shaked and H. Azhari, Copper oxide loaded PLGA nanospheres: Towards a Multifunctional Nanoscale Platform for Ultrasound based Imaging and Therapy. Nanotechnology 29 (18), 185102, 2018. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aab00c
10. Perlman, I. S. Weitz, and H. Azhari, Target Visualization and Microwave Hyperthermia Monitoring using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Transmission Ultrasound (NETUS). International Journal of Hyperthermia 24 1, 2017. DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2017.1378386
11. S. Weitz, M. Maoz, D. Panitz, S. Eichler, E. Segal, Combination of CuO Nanoparticles and Fluconazole: Preparation, Characterization, and Antifungal Activity Against Candida albicans. Journal of Nanoparticle Research 17 (342), 1-9, 2015. DOI: 10.1007/s11051-015-3149-4
12. Perlman, I. S. Weitz, and H. Azhari, Copper Oxide Nanoparticles as Contrast Agents for MRI and Ultrasound Dual-Modality Imaging. Physics in Medicine and Biology 60, 5767-5783, 2015. DOI: org/10.1088/0031-9155/60/15/5767
13. S. Weitz J. L. Sample, R. Ries, E. M. Spain and J. R. Heath, Josephson Coupled Quantum Dot Artificial Solids, Journal of Physical Chemistry B 104, 4288-4291, 2000.
14. -Y. Liu, A. J. Bard, F. Wudl, I. S. Weitz and J. R. Heath, Electrochemical Characterization of Films of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Their Possible Application in Supercapacitors, Electrochemical and Solid-State Letters 2, 577-578, 1999.
15. S. Weitz, M. Pellegrini, M. Royo, D. F. Mierke and M. Chorev, 1,2,5-Trisubstituted 1, 4-Diazepine-3-one: A Novel Dipeptidomimetic Molecular Scaffold, Letters in Peptide Science 5, 83-86, 1998.
16. Pellegrini, I. S. Weitz, M. Chorev and D. F. Mierke, Conformational Investigation of a Novel, Dipeptide Based Molecular Scaffold, Letters in Peptide Science 5, 151-153, 1998.
17. S. Weitz, M. Pellegrini, D. F. Mierke and M. Chorev, Synthesis of a Trisubstituted 1,4-Diazepine-3-one-Based Dipeptidomimetic as a Novel Molecular Scaffold, Journal of Organic Chemistry 62, 2527-2534, 1997.
18. Pellegrini, I. S. Weitz, M. Chorev and D. F. Mierke, A Trisubstituted 1,4-Diazepine-3-one-Based Dipeptidomimetic: Conformational Characterization by NMR and Computer Simulation, Journal of the American Chemical Society 119, 2430-2436, 1997.I. S. Weitz and M. Rabinovitz, The Application of C8K for Organic Reduction of Substituted Naphthalene. Journal of the Chemical Society-Perkin Transactions I 117-120, 1993.

Conferences Proceedings and Abstracts

Conferences Proceedings

1. Ashkenazi, I. S. Weitz, Effect of nanoconfining PLGA shell on the self-assembly of indigo carmine. Proceeding of IEEE International Conference on Nanomaterials: Application & Properties (NAP) 2023
2. Korganbayev, S. Asadi, I. Maor, E. Schena, H. Azhari, I. S. Weitz, and P. Saccomandi, Measurement of Enhanced Photothermal Effects of CuO-encapsulated Polymeric Nanospheres, Proceeding of IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (IEEE MeMea) (23^rd June) 2021. DOI: 10.1109/MeMeA52024.2021.9478675.
3. Korganbayev; S. Asadi, A. Wolf; A. Dostovalov, M. Zalteri, E. Schena, H. Azhari, S. Weitz, and P. Saccomandi, Highly Dense FBG Arrays for Millimeter-Scale Thermal Monitoring During Nanocomposite-Enhanced Laser Ablation. Proceedings of SPIE 11354, Optical Sensing and Detection VI, 113540G (1^st April) 2020. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2555436
4. Perlman, I. S. Weitz, and H. Azhari, Preliminary Study of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Acoustic and Magnetic Properties for Medical Imaging. Proceedings of SPIE 9412, Medical Imaging 2015: Physics of Medical Imaging, 941204, (18 March) 2015. doi: 10.1117/12.2081628
5. Pellegrini, I. S. Weitz, M. Chorev and D. F. Mierke, Conformational Characterization of Trisubstituted 1,4-Diazepinone as a Dipeptide-Based Molecular Scaffold. Peptides: Proceedings of the 24^th European Peptide Symposium, R. Ramage, R. Epton Eds. Mayflower Scientific Ltd., Kingswinford U.K. p 715-716, 1998.
6. S. Weitz, M. Pellegrini, D. F. Mierke and M. Chorev, Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Trisubstituted Hexahydro-3-Oxo 1H-1,4- Diazepine-Based Dipeptidomimetic. Unit. Peptides: Proceedings of the 24^th European Peptide Symposium, R. Ramage, R. Epton Eds., Mayflower Scientific Ltd., Kingswinford U.K. p 903-904, 1998.

Invited talks

2. S. Weitz, Efficient NIR photothermal therapeutic nanocarriers for cancer therapy, 2^nd Workshop on Minimally invasive thermal techniques for cancer removal, IEEE Sensors Council Italy Chapter, virtually September 24, 2020.
3. S. Weitz, Highly absorbing nanoparticles for improving the selectivity of laser ablation. Workshop on Minimally invasive thermal techniques for cancer removal, IEEE Sensors Council Italy Chapter, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy, September 4, 2019.
4. S. Weitz, Multifunctional Properties and Characteristics of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles. EMN Meeting on Smart and Multifunctional Materials, Berlin, Germany, August 25, 2016.

Abstracts of Presentations at Conferences

Presentations at Conferences

1. S. Weitz, Copper oxide nanoparticles in theranostic applications. The 16^th R@B Research at Braude, Braude College Karmiel, Israel, December 11, 2023 (Oral presentation).
2. Ashkenazi, I. S. Weitz, Effect of nanoconfining PLGA shell on the self-assembly of indigo carmine. IEEE International Conference on Nanomaterials: Application & Properties (NAP) 2023, 13^th International Conference, Bratislava, Slovakia, September 12, 2023 (Oral presentation).
3. Ashkenazi, P. Matsanov, N. Koifman, E. Kesselman, I. Maor, I. Shumilin, D. Harries, I. S. Weitz, Tuning the self-assembly of indigo carmine molecules by confinement of polymeric nanocapsules. The 6^th conference of The Israel Society for Biotechnology Engineering (ISBE 2022), Tel-Aviv, Israel, December 25, 2022 (Poster).
4. S. Weitz, Spatially Nanoconfined Assembly of Indigo Carmine by Double Emulsion Technique. IEEE International Conference on Nanomaterials: Application & Properties (NAP) 2022, 12^th International Conference, Kraków, Poland, September 14, 2022 (Oral presentation).
5. S. Weitz, Theranostic Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Loaded Polymeric Nanocarriers as a Promising Drug Delivery System. CIMTEC 2022, 9^th Forum on New Materials, Perugia, Italy, June 28, 2022 (Oral presentation).
6. Korganbayev, S. Asadi, I. Maor, E. Schena, H. Azhari, I. S. Weitz, and P. Saccomandi, International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (IEEE MeMea), virtually June 23, 2021.
7. Dahis, G. Saar, I. S. Weitz, N. Artzi, and H. Azhari, MRI-Contrast Enhancement of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Following FUS-Mediated BBB Disruption. 7^th International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound, virtually November 9, 2020 (Poster)
8. Perlman, A. Borodetsky, Y. Kauffmann, Y. Shamay, H. Azhari, and I. S. Weitz, Synthesis and Characterization of Gold/Copper@Polydopamine Nanocomposite for a Dual Modal CT-MRI Medical Imaging. Israeli Society for Medical and Biological Engineering (ISMBE), Haifa, Israel, February 23, 2020 (Poster)
9. Perlman1, A. Borodetsky, H. Azhari, and I. S. Weitz, Synthesis and Characterization of Gold-Copper Nanocomposite for a Dual-Modal Imaging Contrast Enhancing Material. The 15^th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Kfar Blum in the Upper Galilee., Israel, October 25, 2019 (Oral presentation).
10. S. Weitz, S. S. Sivan, O. Perlman, H. Azhari, Preparation of PLGA Nanospheres As Carriers for Copper Oxide Nanoparticles-Based Imaging Contrast Agent. 10^th International Congress Nanotechnology in Medicine & Biology (NanoBio&Med 2019), Graz Austria, April 15, 2019 (Oral presentation).
11. Schiopu, A. Borodetsky, A. Haim, and I. S. Weitz, Noninvasive Monitoring of Ultrasound Induced CuO Nanoparticles Release from PEG-b-PLA Micelles using MRI. Israeli Society for Medical and Biological Engineering (ISMBE), Haifa, Israel, February 25-26, 2019 (Poster)
12. S. Weitz, S. S. Sivan, O. Perlman, and H. Azhari, Encapsulation of CuO Nanoparticles by PLGA for Imaging and Controlled Delivery. The 14^th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Kfar Blum in the Upper Galilee., Israel, October 17, 2018 (Oral presentation).
13. Schiopu, A. Borodetsky, A. Haim, and I. S. Weitz, Noninvasive Monitoring of Ultrasound Induced CuO Nanoparticles Release from Polymeric Nano-carriers. NanoIsrael 2018, Jerusalem, October 10, 2018 (Poster)
14. Borodetsky, I. Arnon, and I. S. Weitz, The Antifungal Effect of Surface Modified CuO Nanoparticles Against Candida Species. NanoIsrael 2018, Jerusalem, October 10, 2018 (Poster)
15. Benguigui, I. S. Weitz, M. Timaner, T. Kan, D. Shechter, S. Sivan, Z. Raviv, H. Azhari, and Y. Shaked, Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Inhibit Pancreatic Tumor Growth by Targeting Tumor Initiating Cells. 17^th Biennial Congress of the Metastasis Research Society and Young Investigator Satellite Meeting. MRS 2018, Princeton, NJ, USA, August 1-5, 2018 (Poster).
16. S. Weitz, O. Perlman, S. S. Sivan, and H. Azhari, Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Oxide Based Polymeric Nano-systems for Biomedical Imaging, CIMTEC 2018, 8^th Forum on New Materials, Perugia, Italy, June 10, 2018 (Oral presentation).
17. S. Weitz, Synthesis and Characterization of Engineered Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Medical Applications, The 13th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Nahsholim Seaside Resort, Israel, October 25, 2017 (Oral presentation).
18. Perlman, I. S. Weitz and H. Azhari, Potential Medical Applications of Ultra Small Copper Oxide Nanoparticles, NanoBio&Med 2017, Barcelona Spain, November 22, 2017 (Poster).
19. Perlman, I. S. Weitz and H. Azhari, Microwave Ablation Planning and Monitoring Using Nanoparticle Enhanced Through-Transmission Ultrasound, Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC-2017), JeJu Island, S. Korea, July 11, 2017 (Poster).
20. S. Weitz, M. Maoz, D. Panitz, S. Eichler, and E. Segal. Studying the Therapeutic Antifungal Properties of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles. 6^th Annual Symposium of Drug Delivery System 2016 (SDDS-2016), Nanjing, China, November 16, 2016 (Oral presentation).
21. Tal, and I. S. Weitz, Surface Modifications of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles, The 12^th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Hagoshrim, Upper Galilee, Israel, 2016 (Oral presentation).
22. Perlman, I. S. Weitz and H. Azhari, Multimodal Magnetic Resonance and Through-Transmission Ultrasound Imaging of Nanoparticles, 8th HOPE Meeting with Nobel Laureates, Tsukuba, Japan, 2016 (Poster).
23. Perlman, I. S. Weitz and H. Azhari, Multimodal MRI-ultrasound Medical Imaging of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles, Israeli Society for Medical and Biological Engineering (ISMBE), Haifa, Israel, 2016 (Oral presentation).
24. Perlman, I. S. Weitz, and H. Azhari, Investigation of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles as a Dual Imaging Modality Contrast Agent for Medical Diagnosis, The 11^th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Hagoshrim, Upper Galilee, Israel, 2015 (Oral presentation).
25. S. Weitz, M. Maoz, D. Panitz, S. Eichler and E. Segal, The Antifungal Effect of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on Candida Albicans. The 2^nd conference of The Israel Society for Biotechnology Engineering (ISBE 2013), Tel-Aviv, Israel, 2013 (Poster).
26. Maoz, D. Panitz, Sigal Eichler, Ester Segal and I. S. Weitz, The Antifungal Efficacy of Formulated Copper Oxide Nanoparticles. The 9^th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Hagoshrim, Upper Galilee, Israel, 2013 (Oral presentation).
27. S. Weitz, M. Grozovski and M. Maoz, Copper Oxide Nano-carriers for Bioactive Drugs. The 8^th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Acre, Israel, 2012 (Oral presentation).
28. Maria Grozovski, S. Weitz, Paraoxonase Activity and Oxidative Stress in Experimental Hypercholesterolemia. The 8^th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Acre, Israel, 2012 (Oral presentation).
29. S. Weitz, N. Bar-Guy and M. Grozovski, Copper oxide Nanoparticles for Hypercholesterolemia Treatment. The 2^nd International Colloids Conference, Colloids and Nanomedicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2012 (Poster).
30. S. Weitz and M. Grozovski, Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Statin Carriers. The 2^nd Galil Biomedical Meeting, Tel-Hai, Israel, 2011 (Oral presentation).
31. S. Weitz, N. Bar-Guy, M. Grozovski, Effect of Copper oxide Nanoparticles on Cholesterol Levels in The Liver. The 7^th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Kfar Bloom, Israel, 2011 (Oral presentation).
32. S. Weitz K. Knani, M. Maoz, C. Freitag, J.J. Morrell, The Potential for Using CuO Nanoparticles as a Wood Preservative. IRG 42: The International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Queenstown, New Zealand, 2011 (Oral presentation).
33. S. Weitz and M. Grozovski, Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Functionalization for Medical Applications. The 6^th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Haifa, Israel, 2010 (Oral presentation).
34. S. Weitz, K. Knani and M. Maoz. Water Soluble Copper Oxide Nanoparticles as an Antifungal Agent. The 5^th Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Nahariya, Israel, 2009 (Oral presentation).
35. Maoz and I. S. Weitz, M. Blumenfeld, C. Freitag and J. J. Morrell. Antifungal Activity of Plant Derived Extracts against G. trabeum. IRG 38: The International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Grand Titon National Park, Wyoming, USA, 2007 (Oral presentation).
36. Maoz and M. Blumenfeld and I. S. Weitz. Antifungal Activity of Plant Derived Extracts against G. rabeum and T. rubrum. The 3^rd Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Hagoshrim, Israel, 2007 (Oral presentation).
37. S. Weitz and M. Maoz, C. Freitag and J.J. Morrell, Preparation of Water-Soluble Antifungal Formulations of Hydrophobic Natural Extracts. IRG 37: The International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Tromso, Norway, 2006 (Oral presentation).
38. S. Weitz and M. Maoz, Water Soluble Antifungal Formulations of Hydrophobic Natural Extracts. The 2^nd Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Maalot, Israel, 2006 (Oral presentation).
39. S. Weitz and M. Maoz, Antifungal Treatment of Wood Decay Fungi by Water Soluble Formulations of Natural Extracts. The 1^st Interdisciplinary Research Conference ORT Braude College, Karmiel, Israel, 2005 (Oral presentation).
40. S. Avital and M. Rabinovitz, Synthetic Applications of Potassium Graphite Intercalate, C₈K, The 56^th Annual Meeting of the Israeli Society Israel, Jerusalem, Israel, 1991 (Poster).

Theses

Ph.D. thesis: Design and Synthesis of 1,4-Diazepine-3-one–Based Dipeptidomimetic as A Novel Molecular Scaffold [Hebrew]. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. 1997. Supervisor: Prof. M. Chorev

M.Sc. thesis: Applications of C₈K for Selective Reductions of Organic Compounds [Hebrew]. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. 1991. Supervisor: Prof. M. Rabinovitz

Academic Appointments

1992 – 1997                 Research Assistant, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, School of Pharmacy. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

2005 – 2007                 Adjunct Lecturer, Open University, Beit Biram (Haifa), Israel

2002 – 2007                 Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Biotechnology Engineering, ORT Braude College, Israel

2007 – 2011                 Lecturer (special contract), Department of Biotechnology Engineering, ORT Braude College, Israel

2011 – 2015                 Lecturer, Department of Biotechnology Engineering, ORT Braude College, Israel

2015 – present            Senior Lecturer, Department of Biotechnology Engineering, ORT Braude College, Israel

 Professional Activities

College Activities and Services

2007 – 2011         Assistant of Head of Department, Department of Biotechnology Engineering

2007 – 2018         Coordinator, Internship Students Program, Department of Biotechnology Engineering

2011 – 2014         Member, College Strategy Committee, ORT Braude College

2012 – 2020         Member, Student Excellence College Committee, ORT Braude College

2012 – 2020         Member, Research Committee, Department of Biotechnology Engineering

2012 – 2021         Member, Curriculum Committee, Department of Biotechnology Engineering

2019 – 2022         Member, The Center for Engineering Education and Entrepreneurship, ORT Braude College

2020 – 2023         Member, The Academic Council, Braude College of Engineering

2020 – 2023         Chair, The Academic Affairs Committee, Braude College of Engineering

2012 – present     Academic advisor for the undergraduate students, Department of Biotechnology Engineering

Visiting Positions

Visiting Professor, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome (UCBM), Italy, September 2019. 

Teaching Experience

Organic Chemistry 2, Organic Chemistry (Lab course), Chemistry of Engineering Materials, Organic Chemistry and Polymers, General and Physical Chemistry, General and Analytical Chemistry.

Awards

1995    School of Pharmacy Award for outstanding Ph.D. research

1997    Faculty of Medicine Award for excellent Ph.D. thesis (Dean’s Award)

2017    Honors College Distinguished Faculty Award

2020    Honors College Distinguished Faculty Award

2021    Honors College Distinguished Faculty Award