thank you for your letter regarding Katchul, his lab, and his collaboration with kama"g. I am of course aware of the points that you raise in your letter. Unfortunately, at Tel-Aviv University Physics, I have finite and limited real-estate, and I obviously must give priority to young new researchers building their labs, over senior faculty such as Katchul, who officially retired 9 years ago. In fact, at other universities, researchers often lose their lab space as soon as they retire, whereas at TAU, in appreciation of Katchul's status and ongoing contributions, we have repeatedly delayed the closing of his labs, but we have reached the limit, so to speak. In view of the value to kama"g of Katchul's current research work, and his ongoing collaboration with kama"g scientists, perhaps his lab (and part or all of his team) could be accommodated at kama"g? If so, this could also be an opportunity to start passing on Katchul's unique knowledge and expertise in fiber fabrication to the next generation. Katchul is 77, and I wish him at least another 43 years of productive activity, but it would seem to me prudent to begin such a transfer of knowledge, perhaps by relocating his lab to kama"g? Please let me know if this might be an option.

with best regards

Dan (with apologies for the English, my Hebrew typing is very slow)