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A Reluctant Scientist with a Doctor’s Heart

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After completing her military service, Machluf earned a B.Sc. in Life Sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She continued with an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in biotechnology engineering from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. In 1997, she began postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School, focusing on gene therapy, nanomedicine, and targeted drug delivery.

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Today, she is a full professor and former dean at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. She directs the Laboratory for Cancer Drug Delivery and Cell-Based Technologies, where she leads groundbreaking work on a system called NanoGhost, a stem-cell–derived drug delivery vehicle designed to target cancer cells precisely and reduce collateral damage to healthy tissue.

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National Honors and Global Impact

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Machluf’s achievements have earned her national and international recognition. She has received the Alon Award for scientific excellence, the Juludan Prize for advancing medicine through technology, and was one of 14 torchbearers at Israel’s 70th Independence Day ceremony in 2018. That same year, Lady Globes named her Woman of the Year.

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Despite her professional success, Machluf has never forgotten her origins. She repurchased the small Ashdod apartment where she grew up and frequently returns to speak at local schools, encouraging youth from underprivileged backgrounds to pursue their dreams. “The genes of my mother are in me,” she said in a personal interview, reflecting on her late mother’s influence.

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A Symbol of Israeli Diversity and Scientific Power

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As a proud Moroccan Jew, devoted mother, and visionary researcher, Marcelle Machluf represents the very best of Israeli innovation and multicultural resilience. Her journey is not just a personal triumph—it is a source of inspiration for women in science, immigrants, and anyone who dares to dream beyond their circumstances.

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‍Sources :

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https://ashdod10.co.il/14939-2/

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https://www.bio.technion.ac.il/people/machluf-marcel/

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https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5242609,00.html

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https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001251489

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https://m24.co.il/y-hgyh-phrwph-mrsl-mxlw-shlthh-khyldh/

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