Professor Aaron J. Ciechanover

Born in Haifa, Ciechanover's journey was shaped by resilience, innovation, and a commitment to knowledge, amidst the backdrop of the newly established State of Israel. Ciechanover grew up in a household deeply rooted in the values of family, education, hard work, and dedication. These principles were instilled by his parents Bluma and Yitzhak, Polish immigrants. Tragically his mother passed when he was just 10, and his father when he was 15. His older brother Yoseph, an Israel prize recipient himself, who passed away in 2024, played a pivotal role in Aaron’s life, serving as a mentor and source of strength during these formative years.

After earning his MD from the Hebrew University School of Medicine in 1974, he completed his internship and clinical training at Rambam before serving as a military physician. During his medical studies, Ciechanover discovered a deep passion for biochemistry.
In 1981, Ciechanover earned a pivotal doctorate in biological sciences at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, there, under the mentorship of Dr. Avram Hershko and in collaboration with Dr. Irwin A. Rose, Ciechanover embarked on the groundbreaking discovery of the ubiquitin system and changes the course of cellular biology. His pioneering work on the ubiquitin system laid the ground for the development of medicines for cancer treatment. This important discovery earned him and his colleagues the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Ciechanover has received over 70 prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Albert Lasker Award and the 2003 Israel Prize.
His life and work exemplify the power of persistence, the importance of mentorship, and the endless pursuit of knowledge.
In recognition of his life’s work, the Honorable Rambam Awards Committee proudly bestows the 2025 Rambam Award to Distinguished Professor Aaron J. Ciechanover.