These Gaza scientists are keeping research alive amid war, destruction and uncertainty

[michele catanzaro]

The man below is neuroscientist Khamis Elessi, from Gaza. Left: receiving an award at the UniEdinburgh. Right: during one of the over 10 displacements he suffered during the war. He is one of a bunch of scientists that are trying to keep research alive amid destruction in Gaza. During the war, a source put me in contact with Samer Abuzerr, a water scientist displaced in a tent that still managed to do research and publish papers. Abuzerr told me about others that were continuing their work under the bombs, although their institutions had been destroyed. After delving into publications databases, I came across a bunch of researchers from Gaza that are doing their best to document the ongoing tragedy. All of them have gone through horrible ordeals, but remain “committed to their academic journey”, as Aya ElMashharawi- told me. Now, these scholars are calling to assess damage, address urgent needs, and start reconstruction. ElMashharawi told me: “there is a collective determination to remain on the land and serve the coming generations”. Read their stories and results here: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00160-w In the story, you will also find an interactive map showing the degree of annihilation of Gaza’s academic infrastructure. Thanks Ehsan Masood for your support throughout the investigation.