About Me
Polymorphism - The time travel of Dr. Dana Ashkenazi
My name is Dana Ashkenazi. I was born in Ramat Hasharon to Miki and Oded Lotker. I have two brothers: Zvika – a mathematician, and Ido – a garden light designer and an athlete. I'm married to Rafi Ashkenazi and we have two magnificent daughters – Sapir and Gal.
As a child, our home's courtyard always seemed to me like an enchanting world. The house where I grow was built on a former orchard. The courtyard was always full of fruit trees like a minuscule paradise. We had oranges, plums, persimmons, mango, lemons, Annona fruits, pomelos, and pecan nuts. Those colors, scents, and flavors are still very much with me, wherever I go.
Dana Ashkenazi
I used to love going into hiding in secret corners in the courtyard and dream of a distant world. Our house was full of books and radiated with the joy of creativity. My father, Oded, who had an artistic soul, taught me how to paint. He passed away in 2007, and I miss him very much.
My dear grandmother Shulamit, who was an amazing woman, thirsty for knowledge and a true friend, always provided me with encouragement and support. For me, Grandma Shulamit and Grandpa Morris Hearsch were always a steady rock and a staunch source of support, and although they had passed away many years ago, I still remember them with great love.
The Lotker family: Miki, Zvika, Oded and Dana (Ido was not yet born when the photo was taken).
Shulamit and Morris Hearsch (1932)
Shulamit and Morris Hearsch (1932)
Miki Lotker Glass Work
The Ashkenazi family on a trip to the Netherlands (2003)
As a child, I used to run around in the fields, climb trees, laugh as much as I could, paint, write poems and stories, and I dreamed of becoming a painter and a nature explorer. Later on, I studied painting and sculpture at Avni College, and creative thinking is to me a way of life.
I have first and second degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Ben-Gurion University, and my Ph.D. is in Mechanical Engineering from Tel-Aviv University. I met Rafi, who is also a materials engineer, during my studies in Beer-Sheba. He first aroused my interest when he sat next to me in nuclear physics class. His witty comments and lively sense of humor made me laugh, and I fell for him.
We became the closest friends and decided that as soon as we complete our B.Sc. studies, we would travel together to the United States. During the trip, we lived and laughed in a car we bought, visited parks and museums, and explored a world much different than we'd been used to. During this wonderful and exciting three-month trip, our mutual love only grew, and the rest is history... When I began my doctorate studies, we moved to Tel-Aviv. My dissertation dealt with fracture mechanics. I remember this period as a wonderful and exciting time.
Sapir and Gal – my most successful project – were born during that period. Over the first few months of their lives, they used to spend long hours in the fracture mechanics lab and on the Tel-Aviv campus lawns, and thus had a first taste of what it's like to be a student.
Visiting the Safari in Ramat Gan with with the girls Sapir and Gal.
Ashkenazi family in the Exit Glacier area, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska (July 2008).
Alaska through the Clouds. Photo: Rafi Ashkenazi (2008).
The Canadian Rockies. Photo: Rafi Ashkenazi (2010).
The Canadian Rockies. Photo: Rafi Ashkenazi (2010).
The Canadian Rockies. Photo: Rafi Ashkenazi (2010).
Today I'm working at the School of Mechanical Engineering, at the Tel-Aviv University. Over the past few years, I have been trying to live a healthy and peaceful life. I make it a point to eat varied and healthy foods, drink a lot, sleep well and maintain a humorous and optimistic attitude to life. I try to be pleased with my life, and share my optimism with those around me.
I love to write, hike, paint, dance, read, watch movies, listen to music and, of course, hang out with my charming family. My writings deal with materials science, popular science, art, archaeology, history, famous individuals, literature, and current affairs. I also write for children. I love strong colors, flowers, butterflies, the ocean, the feel of wind on my face, roaring laughter, and, above all the people around me.