Prof. Avital’s research bridges behavioral neuroscience, molecular biology, and translational medicine. Prof. Avital has pioneered a cross-species framework that integrates rodent, canine, and human models to investigate social, attentional, sensory, and emotional dysregulation across disorders such as autism (ASD), ADHD, and PTSD.

A key innovation is the transgenerational Low Social Cooperation rat line, selectively bred for more than 25 generations to model ASD-like traits, one of the few behavior-anchored heritable models worldwide. This model is under investigation as a foundation for molecular, electrophysiological, and nanotherapeutic discovery.

At the human-applied end, he developed the Mindtension™ EMG-based neurophysiological assessment tool for attention and emotional regulation, currently tested in clinical and educational settings, giving rise to national and international collaborations (e.g., Prof. Carmen Moreno, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain).

Prof. Avital’s translational pipeline has also led to groundbreaking collaboration with Prof. Alejandro Sosnik (Full Professor, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel) aimed at developing an intranasal nano-formulated cannabinoids for ASD (paper under review).

These achievements collectively demonstrate leadership in developing convergent, cross-disciplinary strategies from mechanistic neuroscience to applied therapeutics.

Prof. Avital’s research over the years has been extensively funded by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Israel Ministry of Science and Technology, US army/NIH and the ISF. 

Orcid 

LinkedIn

Email: aavital1@univ.haifa.ac.il; Avitalavi@hotmail.com 

Lab Manager

Dr. Inon Maoz is the Laboratory Manager at the Behavioral Neurobiology Laboratory at the University of Haifa, where he previously served as a Staff Scientist. He completed his PhD in Medical Sciences at the Technion’s Faculty of Medicine in 2022. Dr. Maoz supports the lab’s cross-species research mission by managing the construction and operation of advanced Behavioral-Physiological Assessment Facilities. He possesses specialized expertise in developing behavioral research tools for rodents and working dogs, as well as extensive experience conducting electrophysiology studies in behaving animals. His technical proficiency includes programming in Python, Matlab, and Arduino to facilitate innovative data analysis and system design. Additionally, Dr. Maoz has experience with various research systems, including fNIR and EEG, and was among the first to apply the Mindtension™ (ASAT) technology in the field.

Email: Inon.Maoz@gmail.com, imaoz1@univ.haifa.ac.il

Visiting Researcher

I am a Behavioral Geneticist, focusing on domestication-related and experiential effects on behavior, neuroendocrine regulation, and genetic or epigenetic mechanisms associated with human-animal bonding, stress, and fear in canids.

Email: yuhrbk@gmail.com

Ph.D. Candidate 

My research focuses on objective behavioral and hormonal assessments of therapy dogs working with individuals diagnosed with PTSD. I am also a lecturer at Reichman University, and a co-founder of Pawsitive Technology. With over 20 years of experience across startups, corporate environments and academia, I wear quite a few hats and somehow, they all seem to fit. 

Email: anat.assaf@gmail.com

Ph.D. Student

I am a psychologist and neuroscientist currently pursuing my Ph.D. My translational research is conducted in parallel in both rodents and humans, focusing on cooperative social interactions -a behavior known to be impaired in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I employ advanced neuroscientific tools to decipher the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying social cooperation  and decision-making. In addition to my doctoral studies, I serve as a university lecturer. 

Email: avibh84@gmail.com

Ph.D. Candidate

I am a Ph.D candidate. My research focuses on the neurophysiological basis of psychological resilience in soldiers. 

Email: rotemcohen2012@gmail.com

Ph.D. Candidate

I am a Ph.D. candidate. My research focuses on treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in people with severe mental illness, using cognitive restructuring, and its impact on emotional, cognitive, and attentional parameters. 

Email: hilamsh@gmail.com 

Ph.D. Candidate

I am an Occupational Therapist, Professional Dog Trainer and a Ph.D. candidate. My research focuses on Dog assisted therapy in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Email: dariastotland@gmail.com 

Ph.D. Student

I completed my M.A. studies in Neuro-cognitive Psychology at the ECN lab, IIPDM, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa. I'm currently in my first year of Ph.D. studies in the Haifa University Occupational Therapy department. My current research interest is  focused on creating a cognitive-executive profile to assess functionality of working dogs.

Email: dana.b.vilker@gmail.com

Graduate Student

I am an M.A student in Occupational Therapy. The main topic of my research is the relationship between attentional mechanisms, emotional regulation, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among individuals on the autism spectrum.

Email: svetaharon@gmail.com

Graduate Student

I am an M.A student in Occupational Therapy. The main topic of my research is the effects of aquatic therapy on emotional and attentional regulation in children with ASD.

Email: Rivka68@gmail.com

Graduate Student

I am a M.A. student in Occupational Therapy. The main topic of my research is Alleviating PTSD Symptoms through Combined Noradrenergic and Dopaminergic Modulation.

Email: gershonori@gmail.com

Graduate Student

I’m an M.Sc. student in neurobiology who’s interested in the fascinating intercept of psychology and biology.

Email: lotem97hinga@gmail.com

Graduate Student

I am an M.A. student in Occupational Therapy. My research examines the differences in social cooperation in animal model, focusing on motivational, emotional, and attentional regulation.

Email: shaked433@gmail.com

Graduate Student

I am aמ M.A student in Occupational Therapy. The focus of my research is the influence of childbirth on attentional and emotional regulation in women during postpartum period. 

Email: Noa.azran@gmail.com