Dr. Rivky Ophir is a veteran member of Moshav Hazeva, and has been involved with P2K over the years. Dr. Ophir is a research scientist at the Central Arava Science Center, a regional Research & Development association set up by the Ministry of Science. “The Arava embodies an excellent combination of research intensity and the calm of a desert environment,” says Rivky.

She divides her time between the Science Center, located near the Yair R&D Station adjacent to Moshav Hazeva, and Ben-Gurion University Medical School, where she runs a research laboratory focusing on genetic diseases among the Negev Bedouins that result from many generations of endogamy.

Rivky recently won worldwide renown for her studies of an active anti-cancer substance found in herbs such as lemon balm, lemon grass and verbena. Her research specialties include immune system – cancer stasis, the genetics of disease, new materials for cancer drug production and agricultural diseases.

We met Rivky in her research laboratory at the Science Center.

Did you always know you wanted to be a scientist?

Yes. Since high school, I realized that my curiosity would lead me to research. In 1973, I came to the Arava after receiving a graduate degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, but during my first few years here, I worked mostly at manual jobs.

My first ten years on Moshav Hazeva were spent raising children and cultivating vegetables. We worked hard in the fields, picking tons of vegetables. I was nicknamed “the fastest picker in the Arava.” My husband was unable to keep up the pace and gather everything I picked.

What was the role of science at that stage of your life?

Mostly reading scientific journals and taking courses at the Open University. It is important for me to convey this message to all those in the Arava who would like to study but are apprehensive about the distance from research institutes. Today more than ever, there are a good number of channels available for development and advancement, such as the Open University and the Internet.

When did you return to the academic world?

In 1982, as soon as my family situation allowed it, I studied for my doctorate at Ben-Gurion University. I was then tending my crops alone, without any outside workers, but research was like a fire burning in my bones.

Scientific curiosity motivates interest in the world around us. Personally, I find it challenging to solve mysteries. The interaction it engenders is not based on economic viability but rather common interest. Science can bridge between nations, between enemies. It is easy to cooperate scientifically even when living in countries hostile to one another. Science serves as a bridge. We all speak the same language – the language of science. The findings also have the added value of advancing health, overall development, etc.

What about science in the Arava?

Science can increase diversity among the local population. Many people are motivated by science and there are many problems that can be solved by scientific research, such as the rescue of plants headed for extinction or extermination of recurring agricultural pests. It is always beneficial for children to experience a scientific environment that encourages them to answer questions and leads them to places and topics untouched by the educational system.

Research in the Arava may concentrate on special topics such as the environment: flora, fauna, desert agriculture, using various energy sources to generate clean electricity and so on.

The Science Center’s activities include encounters with school children, who learn about various scientific concepts. We discovered some very curious children and were impressed their apparent interest. I feel that cooperation with the school and meeting with children opens a window to an enchanting and special world. I believe that we have to reinforce these sessions, as they contribute so much to us, the scientific staff. On this occasion, I would like to thank the school staff for enabling such encounters to take place.

Where is the Science Center headed?

We aspire towards maintaining five laboratories, each staffed by a researcher and two students, where we will examine topics such as agriculture and biotechnology, ecology – flora and fauna, water and energy.

We are recruiting local students and people interested in moving to the Arava, offering them opportunities for field and/or laboratory research at the Center.