Prof. Josef Itskovitz-Eldor, in joint research with the University of Wisconsin, succeeded in isolating embryonic stem cells for the first time and discovered the enormous potential inherent in them for the production of various tissues. This breakthrough made the Technion a leader in embryonic stem cell research. Prof. Itskovitz-Eldor founded the Embryonic Stem Cell Lab at the Technion, was one of the few in the world who co-patented the creation of embryonic stem cells, and in his research continued to promote the potential inherent in them to cure various diseases. At the same time, he also served as the director of the Women’s and Maternity Departments at the Rambam Health Care Campus for 22 years.