Science Without Borders: The Mark Azbel Prize United Physicists from Karazin and Tel Aviv Universities

The Mark Azbel International Prize is intended to support young researchers in the field of theoretical physics. It was established in the spring of 2024 at the initiative of the scientist's widow, Irina Kolodna, to support Karazin University, where Mark studied and began his scientific career. The prize can be awarded to young researchers in theoretical physics from the schools of physics of two universities — Karazin University and Tel Aviv University.

Mark Azbel was an outstanding physicist, dissident, and organizer of scientific resistance against the Soviet totalitarian regime, and a professor at Tel Aviv University who began his scientific journey at Karazin University. One of the best periods of his life is associated with Kharkiv — his passion for physics, first scientific successes, and academic recognition. At the age of 25, he became a Doctor of Science, receiving brilliant reviews from Academician Lev Landau.

The first Israeli laureate of the Mark Azbel Prize was Noa Feldman, a PhD student from the School of Physics.

The first Ukrainian laureate of the prize was Professor Zakhar Maizelis from the Department of Theoretical Physics at the Faculty of Physics of Karazin University. The Ambassador of Israel to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, presented him with this scientific award at a ceremony in the main hall of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine on May 16, 2024.

We are grateful to our Israeli colleagues for their active support and assistance to the university, which allows us to move forward with confidence!

Learn more about the establishment of the Mark Azbel Prize in the article prepared by Shimon Briman, a graduate of the School of History of Karazin University (class of 1993), a friend of the university, journalist, and expert on Israeli-Ukrainian relations.