Amal Petach Tikva Beit Team Wins the Oympics!
In the 9th National Biotechnology Olympiad held at the Technion, Amal Shimon Greenhoiz Interdisciplinary High School in Petach Tikva recorded an inspiring achievement that places it at the forefront of scientific-educational excellence in Israel. Yitzhak Juan Asher Vialon, a 12th-grade student in the biotechnology major, advanced to the final stage of this prestigious competition and represented the school with impressive composure, depth of knowledge and outstanding scientific thinking. At the end of an intensive and demanding day, Yitzhak was announced as the winner of first place in the Olympiad – a personal achievement that is also a badge of honor for the Amal network and for the city of Petach Tikva.
The biotechnology major at Amal Shimon Greenhoiz has, for years, been considered a strong and innovative academic track that consistently reaches remarkable achievements in national competitions and external assessments. Under the professional leadership of the major coordinator Sisi Kremerman and homeroom teacher and major teacher Maya Dorman, students are trained to conduct independent research, integrate advanced laboratory methods and connect scientific curiosity with real-world challenges in medicine, environment and industry. The success in the Olympiad continues a tradition of excellence that combines a warm and supportive educational environment with high expectations, rigorous standards and close guidance – a combination that enables students to reach the highest national level.
The research assignment that won first place in the Biochemistry Olympiad examined the potential anti-cancer effects of lithocholic acid on two different breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), and through a series of carefully controlled experiments using viability assays, fluorescence imaging and detailed quantitative analysis, the students showed that exposure to a defined concentration of this molecule reduced cell viability and affected key processes of growth and survival in distinct ways in each cell type, presenting their findings in a clear, professional poster that impressed the judges with its scientific depth, methodological rigor and the ability to link laboratory results to future therapeutic directions – an achievement that highlights their maturity as young researchers and brings great honor to Amal Shimon Greenhoiz and the Amal network.
Alongside his personal win, Yitzhak, together with his teammates Idan Kalnitzky and Ori Greenberg, also won second place in the poster competition, for a research project presented in a scientific visual format. Their poster reflected accurate experimental design, careful data analysis and the ability to clearly articulate scientific insights – the same qualities that stand at the heart of academic research in bio-chemistry and biotechnology. The double achievement – first place in the Olympiad and second place in the poster competition – is a great source of pride for the biotechnology major and for the entire school, and a powerful example of how investment, perseverance and meaningful teacher–student relationships can lead high school students to achievements usually associated with academia.
Amal congratulates Orit Zilberman, the school principal and the talented team. As a State-Democratic Scientific-Technological network, Amal continues to invest its utmost efforts in creating a pedagogical environment that nurtures curiosity, diligence and initiative, empowering students to grow into creative thinkers and active, confident citizens.