Background
Keynan was born by the name Alexander Kotznok in 1921 in Kiev, Ukraine to Rachel and Ephraim Kotznok (1883–1963) whom was an industrialist, insurance man and an active Zionist.
Keynan was born by the name Alexander Kotznok in 1921 in Kiev, Ukraine to Rachel and Ephraim Kotznok (1883–1963) whom was an industrialist, insurance man and an active Zionist.
Keynan studied for a M.Sc and Doctor of Philosophy at the Hebrew University (he graduated in 1950 with his work on "The biological and biochemical studies of Clostridium botulinum") while serving the scientific department of the Jewish paramilitary organization Haganah.
Member, Advisory Committee on Application of Science & Technology to Development, United Nations. Professor & V President, Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Chairman, Research Authority, Hebrew University, 1968-1974.
Chairman, National Council Research & Development, Prime Minister Office, Israel, 1963-1967. Chairman, Institute, Institution Life Science, Hebrew University, 1967-1971. Science Director, Israel Institute, Institution for Biological Research, 1952-1962.
Visiting Professor, Harvard University & Massachusetts Institute, Institution of Technology, Boston, 1961 1962.
In 1948, with the establishment of the Israel Defense Forces, Keynan joined the Science Corps (חיל המדע) and soon thereafter was a founding member of the Israel Institute for Biological Research in Ness Ziona and its first director During this period he was appointed as a member of the Atomic Energy Commission (הוועדה לאנרגיה אטומית). Until his retirement in 1990, Keynan was a faculty member of the Hebrew University and since 1977 he was a full professor