Lev-Ari was trained in cellular biology and medicine, and has expertise in biology, Public health research,positive psychology, and health promotion.[1] He has been an academic board member of the Israeli Healthy Cities Initiative,[3] treasurer of the Israeli Organization for Health Promotion and Education,[1][4] a participant in the National Council for Health Promotion,[1] member of the Global Working Group on Mental Health Promotion, and Section Editor of Public Health at the Journal of Clinical Medicine.[5]
Lev-Ari is the founder and former director of the Integrative Medicine Center & Laboratory of Medicinal Herbs and Cancer Research within the Institute of Oncology of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.[6] He leads the Health Promotion research and consultation at the Integrated Cancer Prevention Center.[6] He received the Outstanding Scientist Award from the Israeli Society for Complementary Medicine under the auspices of the Israel Medical Association (2010).[7]
Lev-Ari's lab has developed and assessed the mechanisms and effectiveness of the inquiry based stress reduction intervention on well-being: from promotion to prevention, treatment, and recovery. He has co-authored over 75 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters[8] - among them 15 studies assessing the effect of inquiry based stress reduction on physical and mental health among healthy individuals,[9] teachers,[10] adults who stutter,[11] cancer patients and survivors,[12] and women carrying a mutation in the BRCA gene.[13] Further, his research interests include mmindfulness-based stress reduction,[14]cognitive behavioral therapy,[15]salutogenesis,[16]resilience,[17]well-being,[18] and mind body interventions.[19] His studies on longevity revealed its association with psychosocial factors and the satisfaction with one's marriage.[20][21]
Lev-Ari has been a student, practitioner, and teacher of mindfulness practices and inquiry (the work of Byron Katie) in Israel and around the world for many years.[22]