Penina is a clinical fellow at the Balance Disorders & Ataxia Service (BDAS) at the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital and Monash Genetics service and an honorary research fellow at the Bionics Institute.

Academic and Professional Background:
Dr. Ponger is a senior neurologist and geneticist specializing in movement disorders and neurogenetics. She earned her MD from Tel Aviv University, graduating magna cum laude in Medical Sciences (2005–2009). Her training includes Neurology at Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem (2010–2016) and a fellowship in Medical Genetics, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (2017–2021). Her past positions have included heading the Adult Neurogenetics Service and Ataxia Clinic along with site coordination of PDGENEration Research Initiative, at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. Dr. Ponger has also been involved in tailored therapeutic trials over the last years.

Research and Clinical Contributions:
Dr. Ponger’s primary research includes clinical studies of gait, eye movement and voice analysis amongst people with balance disorders caused by dysfunction of the cerebellum. Dr Ponger is also interested in wearable device development for rehabilitation and studying the genetic causes for neurodegenerative disease of the brain, including cerebellar ataxia and complex movement disorders.

Awards and Grants:
Dr. Ponger has successfully secured grants, including funding from Israel's Chief Scientist Office and the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative, to advance both wearable technology and genetic research.

Teaching and Mentorship:
Dr. Ponger is a dedicated educator, having served as a lecturer in Tel Aviv University's Brain Sciences Program and as a thesis supervisor for neurology residents.