Our team

Prof. Meir Plotnik

Scientific Director

I am a neurophysiologist, and my studies and subsequent research focused on motor control and vestibular function. I have about 30 years of experience conducting both animal and human research, on motor control and vestibular function (balance control). 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.

Scientific director of CATR since 2012 and a faculty member of Sackler medicine department in Tel Aviv University.

Meir.Plotnik@sheba.health.gov.il

Dr. Benedetta Heimler

Senior researcher

I am a cognitive neuroscientist with extensive experience in sensory-motor plasticity and rehabilitation.

At CATR I focus on uncovering multimodal processing in naturalistic scenarios with a special focus on Parkinson’s Disease and the motor system. My research spans from basic science questions aiming at uncovering multimodal contributions to PD motor symptoms, to the development and implementation of cutting-edge multi-competencies rehabilitation programs aiming at diagnosing, monitoring and treating these symptoms.
My duties also include identifying new and promising lines of research, writing grants and supervising students.

benedettaheimler@gmail.com

Dr. Amihai Gottlieb

Researcher

I am a cognitive scientist, working as a research coordinator in CATR for the past 7 years. During my work in CATR, I was involved in coordinating a major EU funded project for 3 years. Currently, I am assisting in publishing journal and conference papers and submitting grant applications.

amihai.gottlieb@gmail.com

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.

yotam.bahat@gmail.com

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 Universit

Galina.Berestetsky@sheba.health.gov.il

Maya Ben Yacov

Research coordinator and acting lab manager

I am a B.Sc. Student in Computer Science and Life sciences at the Open University. I joined the lab during my IDF service in R&D Physiology in the Medical Corps. My main project aimes to investigate the cognitive-motor deterioration due to 26-hour shifts among medical residents

Maya.BenYacov@sheba.health.gov.il

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.

coral.sheffi@gmail.com

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.

adi.lustig66@gmail.com

Past team members

Noam Galor

R&D engineer specializing in biomechanics and Parkinson's disease research. An alumnus of the Bio-Medical Engineering Department at Ben Gurion University.

Or Koren

R&D engineer specializing in physiological signal processing, alumnus of the Bio-Medical Engineering department at Afeka College of engineering.

Mishel Kasperuk

MSc student at TAU Sagol clinical programme

Project Title: 'Eye tracking in Parkinson's patients with stagnant walking - FOG'

Dr. Meytal Wilf

A neuroscientist with a wide background in neuroimaging of sensory cortices and in VR training. I joined CATR as a senior researcher, managing studies related to cognitive-motor interactions in healthy participants and in patients populations.

Shani Kimel-Naor

Biomedical R&D engineer and activity coordinator. An alumnus of bachelor's and master's degrees from the Biomedical Engineering department in Tel Aviv University.

Amit Benady

MD-PhD in collaboration with Bar Ilan University, medical degree at St. George’s University of London in conjunction with Sheba Medical Center.

Dr. Uri Rosenblum Belzer

Physiotherapist, Ph.D. from Ben Gurion University. Studied balance recovery processes using kinematic and physiological signals.

Lotem Kribus-Shmiel

Biomedical R&D engineer. alumnus of the Biomedical Engineering department at the Technion, Israel (IIT).

Dr. Desiderio Cano Porras

PhD in collaboration with Tel-Aviv University, Investigating how VR can influence motor learning and sensorimotor integration in neurological patients.