As a professor of biology at the Weizmann Institute of Science for over 30 years, Jeffrey E. Gerst studies the complex workings of the cell at the molecular level using research models ranging from yeast to human cells. He has made numerous seminal discoveries in the field of cell biology and is currently developing new ways to treat human genetic disorders using RNA therapy, among his many projects. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed scientific papers in top journals and received numerous awards for his work.

Gerst is adventurous and loves to travel, having lived in Canada, Germany, Israel, and the USA and engaging in hobbies like kayaking and hiking.