Scienceאריאל דרבסי

Ariel Darvasi

Ariel Darvasi was an Israeli geneticist and professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, known for research on gene mapping, chronic pain and schizophrenia.

1962 to 2018Gene mapping strategiesGenetics of schizophreniaFounding IDgeneThe Boss Theory

Born: 17 February 1962, Santiago
Died: 28 September 2018
Occupation: geneticist
Education: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Denmark Comprehensive School

Ariel Darvasi was born in 1962 in Santiago

Ariel Darvasi was born in Santiago, Chile, in 1962. When he was 10, his family moved to Israel and settled in Jerusalem. As a high school student there, he taught physics to a parallel class for their matriculation exam after their teacher left.

He served in the IDF from 1980 to 1983 and fought in the First Lebanon War. He earned a BSc in biology and computer science in 1988, then an MSc and a PhD in genetics at the Hebrew University under Moshe Soller. He did postdoctoral research at the University of Paris.

Darvasi published over 100 scientific papers. He developed strategies for mapping genes linked to complex traits, studied the genetics of chronic pain with Marshall Devor, and found a gene linked to schizophrenia in 2002. He also held a US patent on identifying DNA in crime scene mixtures and developed the Boss Theory on human behavior.

He headed Genetics Studies at the Hebrew University from 2006 to 2009 and later the Life Sciences program. From 2012 to 2016 he was Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sciences. He also founded the biotechnology company IDgene, which raised about US$15 million in 1999.

In 2017 the SEC investigated him over alleged insider trading in Mobileye shares, and the case was settled with a fine and no conviction. He died of pancreatic cancer on September 28, 2018. He left a wife and 3 children.

Milestones in Ariel Darvasi's life

1962
Born in Santiago, Chile.
1980
Began his IDF service.
1988
Earned a BSc in biology and computer science.
1999
Won the Landau Prize, and IDgene raised about US$15 million.
2002
Published a gene linked to schizophrenia.
2006
Became head of Genetics Studies at the Hebrew University.
2012
Became Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sciences.
2018
Died of pancreatic cancer.

Ariel Darvasi served in the military

He served in the IDF from 1980 to 1983, first as a flight course cadet and then as a tank commander in the Armored Corps. He took part in the First Lebanon War.