Marie Curie

First woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win in two scientific fields, pioneering research on radioactivity.

Marie Curie (1867–1934), born Maria Skłodowska, was a Polish-French physicist and chemist who transformed science with her discovery of radioactivity. Despite gender barriers, she became the first female Nobel laureate (1903 in Physics) and the first person to win a second Nobel (1911 in Chemistry). Her isolation of polonium and radium revolutionized medical treatments and energy research.

Curie's relentless dedication led to mobile X-ray units during World War I, saving countless lives. Her work laid the groundwork for nuclear physics and cancer therapy. Despite facing discrimination and health risks from radiation exposure, she prioritized scientific progress over personal safety. Curie’s legacy endures through institutions like the Curie Institute, advancing global cancer research.