Prof. Jacob Gopas, PhD
Scientific Advisor
Senior cancer biologist and translational researcher with over four decades of experience in oncology, immunology, and natural-product drug discovery.
Professor Emeritus
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Based in Israel
ABOUT PROF. JACOB GOPAS
Prof. Jacob Gopas trained in cell biology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (NY) and rose to full Professor and later Professor Emeritus in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, while leading the Oncology Research Laboratory at Soroka Medical Center for more than 35 years.His work focuses on Hodgkin’s lymphoma pathogenesis and immunobiology, including Reed-Sternberg cell biology, apoptosis and senescence, cytokine signaling, and viral associations, alongside extensive programs in natural-product-based therapeutics.Prof. Gopas has pioneered studies on Nuphar lutea thioalkaloids (notably DTBN) as multi-functional anti-cancer, antimalarial, antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents, and contributed to NF-κB pathway inhibition, quorum sensing and biofilm disruption, and the effects of obstructive sleep apnea on stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
EXPERTISE & RESEARCH AREAS
- Hodgkin's Lymphoma Pathogenesis & Immunobiology
- Reed-Sternberg Cell Biology, Apoptosis & Senescence
- Cytokine Signaling & Viral Associations
- Natural-Product Based Therapeutics
- NF-κB Pathway Inhibition, Quorum Sensing & Biofilm Disruption
- Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Stem-Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Visiting scientist positions at the NIH/National Cancer Institute and SUNY Health Science Center Brooklyn
- Head (dean-level) of Ben-Gurion University’s Recanati School for Community Health Professions (Nursing, Physical Therapy and Paramedic departments)
- Former Fellow of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), European Association for Cancer Research (EACR) and Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
- Maintained continuous competitive funding from NIH, Israel Science Foundation, Israel Ministry of Science and Health, Israel Cancer Association, and joint BGU–Fox Chase Cancer Center initiatives
- Author or co-author of 130+ peer-reviewed papers, reviews and book chapters
- Over two decades on national committees and six years as Head of Israel’s National Agency of Ethics in Animal Experimentation (under the Ministry of Health)
- Leadership roles in community health education and the Israel Association for Cancer Research
FEATURED PUBLICATIONS
Professor Jacob Gopas — Publications
Selected research contributions spanning cancer biology, molecular oncology, targeted therapeutics and translational research.
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Professional societies and organizations connected with Professor Jacob Gopas throughout his career.