Iris Barshack

About Iris Barshack

Pathology, once considered a support discipline, has rapidly evolved into a cornerstone of modern precision medicine. Over the past decade, the field has experienced a technological and conceptual revolution. As a senior pathologist and Head of the Institute of Pathology at Sheba Medical Center, and the President of The Israeli Association of Pathologists, I have worked to advance pathology both in practice and in vision, positioning it at the forefront of clinical innovation.

Our institute was one one of the first few dozen centers in the world to fully digitize pathology workflows for clinical diagnosis. For the past several years, we have operated in a fully digital environment, allowing pathologists to diagnose cases using high-resolution scanned slides both within the hospital and remotely. This transition has enhanced the quality, speed, and flexibility of diagnostic services and has laid the foundation for deeper integration of computational tools.

Driven by a deep commitment to innovation, I have led efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence into diagnostic pathology. In collaboration with academic laboratories and technology start-ups, we have developed advanced machine learning algorithms that operate directly on scanned pathological slides to identify molecular markers and predict treatment response, especially in the context of non-small cell lung cancer. These tools have been implemented into laboratory routines, significantly reducing diagnostic turnaround times and facilitating faster therapeutic decisions.

Our team is also pioneering research in the emerging field of pathoradiomics, which integrates data from digital pathology and radiology to generate richer, multimodal diagnostic insights. These efforts are conducted in collaboration with leading academic institutions in Israel and abroad, including Tel Aviv University, the Weizmann Institute of Science. We are also actively engaged in joint initiatives with pharmaceutical companies, supporting biomarker discovery and clinical trial development.

At the national level, I am currently leading the establishment of a digital pathology network in Israel, aimed at fostering collaboration between hospitals, academia, and industry. Though still in development, this infrastructure aims to create a cohesive, scalable model for advancing digital pathology on a broader scale, with the ultimate goal of expanding these efforts internationally.

Throughout my career, I have been driven by the belief that pathology is not only the basis for diagnosis but also a key to unlocking the future of individualized medicine. I bring to this mission a combination of scientific rigor, leadership experience, and a profound passion for the field. I remain committed to shaping the next generation of diagnostic tools and to positioning pathology at the center of transformative medical care.