The Azrieli National Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research (ANCAN) is a national multidisciplinary research center dedicated to advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Based at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and working in close collaboration with leading healthcare institutions across Israel, ANCAN integrates clinical, genetic, epidemiological, behavioral, and digital data to study the biological and environmental factors that shape neurodevelopment.

​

The center maintains a large and deeply phenotyped national research cohort that includes clinical assessments, genomic data, developmental measures, and longitudinal health information. ANCAN also supports collaborative research, develops and evaluates new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and promotes the translation of scientific findings into clinical practice. In addition, the Center serves as a national platform connecting researchers, clinicians, autistic individuals and their families, policymakers, and other stakeholders to foster innovation and improve care and outcomes across Israel.

​

Prof. Menashe is one of the founders of ANCAN and currently serves as the director of the center.

​