rooniarbel@gmail.com · 0486 508 858
Melbourne, Australia
Portrait of Dr. Roni Arbel

Roni Arbel, MD/PhD

Paediatrics & Computational Neuroscience

I am a doctor and neuroscientist. I completed my paediatric training at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, working across general paediatric wards, outpatient clinics, and the NICU. My research focuses on cortical plasticity in sensory-deprived individuals through dedicated training, rehabilitation methods, and neuroimaging. I am looking to expand my clinical skills in community and developmental paediatrics, and in complex care.

Based in Melbourne Now seeking clinical fellowships, opportunities in community paediatrics, and research collaborations
Poster Presenting at ASDP 2026, Melbourne · 20–22 August →

Education & training

  • Completed paediatric specialty training at Hadassah Medical Center
  • PhD, Neuroscience, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD), Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • MSc, Neuroscience · BSc Medicine, Cum Laude
Research focus

Clinical work and neuroscience research

I have experience in inpatient paediatrics and the NICU, including care of children with metabolic, genetic, and complex medical conditions.

My PhD research used functional neuroimaging (fMRI) to study cortical plasticity and critical periods in congenitally blind adults. I wish to apply some of these concepts to basic neuroscience research on the premature brain, with the aim of enhancing cognitive outcomes in prematurity.

The most recent of it goes to ASDP 2026 in Melbourne as a poster on how the brain learns to read through sound. See the poster →

Line illustration of a brain as a cognitive network
Clinical work

Inpatient, NICU, and complex care

As Chief Registrar in Paediatrics at Hadassah Hospital, Mount Scopus, I led the registrar training program and worked across general paediatric wards, outpatient clinics, and the NICU. That included children with metabolic, genetic, and other complex medical conditions. I am looking to expand my clinical skills in the care of children with complex medical and neurodevelopmental needs.

Inpatient paediatrics and NICU

Ward and neonatal intensive care, including extremely premature and critically ill neonates.

Cortical plasticity

fMRI studies of how dedicated training reshapes sensory cortex in congenitally blind adults.

Follow-up of chronic conditions

Ongoing involvement with children with metabolic and genetic conditions, and with rare founder mutations.

Critical periods

How early sensory experience, or its absence, organises developing cortex.

Methods

Python, MATLAB, and neuroimaging analysis for plasticity research.

Volunteering

Hand-cycling trainer at ALYN Hospital; work with blind runners and Paralympic athletes; adaptive playgrounds; inclusive cycling.

Experience

Clinical & research appointments

2021-2025

Clinical Registrar in Paediatrics

Hadassah Hospital, Mount Scopus Campus · Jerusalem
  • Chief Registrar: led the registrar training program, integrating hospital and department needs with formal and practical clinical training.
  • Managed registrar scheduling and hospital placement through sustained crisis conditions.
  • General paediatric wards and clinics serving a diverse and often underserved catchment, including metabolic and genetic conditions and rare founder mutations.
  • Extensive NICU experience including acute management of extremely premature and critically ill neonates.
2019-2020

Medical Intern

Shaare Zedek Medical Center · Jerusalem
  • Selected for the competitive paediatric internship track.
2013-2022

PhD Researcher, Neuroplasticity & Sensory Substitution

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem · Amedi Lab
  • Thesis: Sensory flexibility in cortical specializations: the blind brain as a model to challenge classical theories on the emergence of brain organization and development.
  • Designed and executed task-based fMRI studies in congenitally blind adults and healthy controls.
  • Developed OVAL, a novel auditory orthography optimised for visual-to-auditory sensory substitution. Try it in your browser →
Education

Training path

Paediatric specialty
Israel
Specialty training completed at Hadassah Medical Center
PhD, Neuroscience
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2013-2022
Sensory flexibility in cortical specializations; the blind brain as a model
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2013-2020
MSc, Neuroscience
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2010-2012
BSc, Medicine
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2009-2012
Cum Laude
Exchange, Outstanding Students
Zhejiang University School of Medicine · Hangzhou, China
2017
Selected publications

Peer-reviewed research

01
Rapid plasticity in the ventral visual stream elicited by a newly learnt auditory script in congenitally blind adults
Arbel R, Heimler B, Amedi A · 2023
Neuropsychologia
02
Face shape processing via visual-to-auditory sensory substitution activates regions within the face processing networks
Arbel R, Heimler B, Amedi A · 2022
Frontiers in Neuroscience
03
Congenitally blind adults can learn to identify face-shapes via auditory sensory substitution and generalize learned features
Arbel R, Heimler B, Amedi A · 2022
Scientific Reports
04
The sound of reading: color-to-timbre substitution boosts reading performance via OVAL, a novel auditory orthography
Arbel R, Heimler B, Amedi A · 2020
PLOS ONE
05
Cross-sensory transfer of sensory-motor information: visuomotor learning affects an audiomotor task using sensory-substitution
Levy-Tzedek S, Novick I, Arbel R, et al. · 2012
Scientific Reports
06
Vision through other senses: practical use of sensory substitution devices as assistive technology for visual rehabilitation
Maidenbaum S, Arbel R, Buchs G, Shapira S, Amedi A · 2014
IEEE MED
Honours & teaching

Awards and teaching

Awards

2018
Student Exchange Program for Outstanding Medical Students
2017
Na'amat Award for Women in Science
2016
Folks Scholarship for MD/PhD Students

Teaching

2025
Chief Registrar of Paediatrics, Hadassah Mount Scopus
23-25
Clinical Teaching Supervisor, Medical Students, Hadassah
2015
TA, Biostatistics, International MPH, Hebrew University
13-16
TA, Neuroanatomy, Faculty of Cognitive Science

Get in touch

For clinical opportunities, research collaborations, or introductions. I would be glad to hear from you.

rooniarbel@gmail.com 0486 508 858