September, 2021
Alumna Jing Song, MD, PhD
"A True International Immunologist from China, Israel, and America"
Dr. Jing Song, a girl from Yantai, Shandong, has always been interested in medicine and health studies. She has a dream of international collaboration on life-saving medication, and she is deeply devoted to the idea of the "Community with shared future for humankind."
Israel is one of the best places to learn biomedical, and her connection to Israel was within the family and blood. Her aunt received Master and Ph.D. degrees in public health at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. After Jing received M.D. from Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China, she headed to Israel. Jing followed in her aunt's footsteps all the way to the holy city and received her Ph.D. in the same university in Immunology.
As a postdoctoral fellow, Jing conducted biochemistry research in an H.U. lab. Alongside Professor Shimon Gatt. Her research contributed to the development of a new drug candidate for M.S. and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Jing enjoyed her stay in Israel and experienced local life and culture. Jing said, "As a woman from the far east, the experience living in Israel completely changed my perception of the world and religions. Learning Hebrew, making international and local friends, and discovering Jewish culture all played a huge part in my life. Living in Israel helped me become a more open-minded individual. I understand what General Secretary Xi said about we all humans are together after all."
Jing resides in Seattle, Washington, and is a staff scientist at Benaroya Research Institute (BRI). At BRI, she discovered potential causes for rheumatoid arthritis and developed new methods and protocols to identify and treat autoimmune diseases. She hopes one day her research can benefit more people.
Jing believes studying in Israel made today's her and paved the way for her to be an immunologist. She said, "My professors taught me fundamental research techniques and prepared me for my postdoc position at Benaroya. Today, I can contribute to the field of immunology and develop innovative autoimmune disease drugs and treatment – all thanks to the Hebrew University."
Jing would like to contribute more to the international immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases research and treatment in the future. With my unique background, it would be nice to join the high-speed development of China and help patients and their families.
Fun facts:
Jing loves trying new things in life. She recently started to do rowing crew on Seattle Lake Union. Jing is very adventurous, and she has done skydiving in Seattle and traveled in 30+ countries.
Jing also loves reading and is a regular in local book clubs in China, Israel, and United States.
Jing did her residence and medical internship in four different Chinese hospitals before studied at Hebrew University.
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