Shir Wertheimer
PhD Student
During the years 2016-2019, Shir conducted her research for her MSc. studies in the lab of mechanics of composite materials, under the supervision of Prof. Haj-Ali. Shir worked as a lab instructor for undergraduate biomedical engineering students, in the lab of fluid properties, and has been working as a Teacher Assistant, in the course of Fluid Mechanics for Biomedical Engineering. From 2019-current, Shir has continued her research for her Ph.D. studies in the lab of mechanics of composite materials, under the supervision of Prof. Haj-Ali. Shir had won a fellowship from the Ministry of Science for her Ph.D. studies. Her current research resulted in the publication of archival journals and international conference proceedings. Shir has been conducting research in the field of biomechanical engineering, in areas of computational biomechanics and experimental mechanics of biocomposites. Her Research experience includes: analysis of biocomposite materials using finite element method; development of in-house experimental setup, conducting mechanical experiments of composites using DIC technique; preparing biocomposite materials, and scanning using SEM microscopy ; and conducting laboratory research involving cell culture techniques and utilizing confocal microscopy. In the framework of her research, Shir has supervised an M.Sc. student in his final project and over 10 undergraduate students in their final projects and as research assistants. Shir has published two archival journal publications as the first author and one as a co-author:
[1] Wertheimer, S.*, Sharabi, M.*, Shelah, O., Lesman, A., & Haj-Ali, R. (2021). Bio-composites reinforced with unique coral collagen fibers: Towards biomimetic-based small diameter vascular grafts. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 119, 104526.*Both authors contributed equally to this manuscript
[2] Shelah, O.*, Wertheimer, S.*, Haj-Ali, R., & Lesman, A. (2021). Coral-derived collagen fibers for engineering aligned tissues. Tissue Engineering Part A, 27(3-4), 187-200.
*Both authors contributed equally to this manuscript
[3] Sharabi, M., Wertheimer, S., Wade, K. R., Galbusera, F., Benayahu, D., Wilke, H. J., & Haj-Ali, R. (2019). Towards intervertebral disc engineering: Bio-mimetics of form and function of the annulus fibrosus lamellae. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 94, 298-307.
Education
10/2016-01/2019: M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (Magna Cum Laude)
School of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Tel Aviv University
Thesis title: “Bio-Composites based on soft coral collagen: towards engineered blood vessels" ; Supervisor: Professor Rami Haj-Ali
10/2012-08/2016: B.Sc. in Bio-Medical Engineering (Magna Cum Laude)
Bio-Medical Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Tel Aviv University
Honors, awards and fellowships
2021 - Women Students in STEM fellowship, Ministry of Science & Technology, Israel
2018 - Excellence scholarship for outstanding achievement, Engineering Faculty, Tel Aviv
University
2017 - Dean’s award for outstanding achievement, Engineering Faculty, Tel Aviv University
Conferences
Oral Presentations:
NICE 2020 -
Bioinspired Composites Based on Unique Coral Collagen Fibers: Tissue Extracellular Matrix Engineering Towards Vascular Graft. 5th International Bio-inspiration N.I.C.E. conference - Oct. 12-14, 2020 in Nice, France
BIOINSP 2022 -
Bio-Inspired Cardiovascular Grafts Based on Ultra-Long Novel Coral Collagen Fibers. 6th International School and Conference on Biological Materials Science “Bioinspired Materials 2022” March 21-24, in Kostenz, Germany
Poster Presentations:
ISMBE 2018 -
Bio-composites Based on Coral Collagen Fibers for Tissue Engineering
Mirit Sharabi, Shir Wertheimer, Ortal Shelah, Rami Haj-Ali and Ayelet Lesman
ISMBE 2019 -
Bio-Composites Based on Unique Soft Coral Collagen Fibers: Towards Tissue Engineered Blood Vessels
Shir Wertheimer, Ortal Shelah, Mirit Sharabi, Ayelet Lesman and Rami Haj-Ali
CMBBE 2021 -
Bioinspired Composites Based on Unique Coral Collagen Fibers: Towards Engineered Vascular Grafts
Shir Wertheimer, Mirit Sharabi, and Rami Haj-Ali