Karen Avraham

Prof. Karen B. Avraham serves as Professor and Dean of the Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences at Tel Aviv University, holding the Drs. Sarah and Felix Dumont Chair for Research of Hearing Disorders. Her laboratory operates within the Department of Human Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry.

Her research centers on genomics of deafness and developmental delay, utilizing advanced methodologies including AI-driven gene discovery, CRISPR-based gene editing, drug repurposing, and epigenomic regulation studies. The lab employs state-of-the-art imaging tools like confocal and electron microscopy to investigate hearing impairment pathophysiology from genetic variants.

Recent publication trends reveal strong focus on translational genomics, with significant work on mouse models of human disorders (GRIN2D encephalopathy, SMARCA4-related otosclerosis) and computational approaches to rare disease gene annotation. Her team actively participates in major international conferences including the Inner Ear Biology Workshop and Association for Research in Otolaryngology meetings.

The laboratory maintains active research funding including support from the Klass Family and hosts post-doctoral trainees specializing in genomics techniques. Current leadership includes Ms. Helen Berman as Administrative Assistant.