Nadav Efrat | 2026 SURF Participant

Nadav Efrat is a sophomore majoring in computer science and bioengineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a passion for computational biology and data-driven approaches to human disease. At Illinois, he conducts research in the Maslov Lab at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, applying computational modeling and statistical methods to better understand microbial ecosystems, biomolecular networks, and genome dynamics. Beyond research, Nadav has advised early-stage startups through the CUBE Consulting Club, helping teams navigate technical challenges, product development, and growth strategy. This summer at Mayo Clinic, he will conduct research with Dr. Purna Kashyap, studying how gut bacteria and dietary carbohydrates influence gastrointestinal function and inform microbiota-targeted therapies. Through the SURF program, Nadav hopes to better understand how computational and biological research can be translated into real-world impact while working alongside scientists and physicians. He is broadly interested in opportunities at the intersection of computation, biology, and healthcare innovation.