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Lise Meitner: The Unsung Hero of Nuclear Fission
Few stories in science are as bittersweet as that of Lise Meitner. An Austrian-Swedish physicist, Meitner was instrumental in the discovery of nuclear fission, the process that would change the world forever by unlocking the enormous power inside atoms. Working side by side with Otto Hahn, she provided the theoretical explanation for how uranium atoms split, releasing vast amounts of energy—a discovery that eventually led to nuclear energy and atomic weapons. Yet, in 1944, when the Nobel Prize for this earth-shattering work was awarded, only Hahn’s name was called. Meitner, who had fled Nazi Germany, was left out, a decision that still shocks many historians and scientists today. In a symbolic gesture of recognition, the element meitnerium (Mt) was named after her in 1992, but outside the scientific community, few know her name. This glaring oversight is a striking example of how easily vital contributors can be left in the shadows.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell: The Pulsar Pioneer
Jocelyn Bell Burnell’s journey in astrophysics is as inspiring as it is infuriating. In 1967, as a young graduate student, she noticed strange, regular signals in radio telescope data—signals that turned out to be the first known pulsars, rapidly rotating neutron stars emitting beams of radiation. This discovery fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. Yet when it came time to honor the breakthrough, the Nobel Prize in Physics went to her supervisor, Antony Hewish, in 1974. Bell Burnell was not included, a decision that many have since called out as unfair. Despite this, she continued her career with grace and generosity, even donating the $3 million Special Breakthrough Prize she received in 2018 to fund scholarships for women and underrepresented groups in science. Her resilience and commitment to fairness have made her a beloved figure in science.
Chien-Shiung Wu: The First Lady of Physics
Chien-Shiung Wu, often called the “First Lady of Physics,” made discoveries that shook the very foundations of science. Born in China and later working in the United States, Wu’s experiments in the 1950s proved that the law of parity—long thought to be a universal rule—could be violated in weak nuclear interactions. Her meticulous work made the theoretical predictions of Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen-Ning Yang a reality, which led to them receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics. Wu, however, was not included in the award, despite her key experimental achievements. She broke barriers for women in physics, becoming the first female president of the American Physical Society, and her legacy is an inspiration to anyone who feels unseen. Wu’s work continues to be cited in physics research today, a testament to her lasting impact.
Rosalind Franklin: The DNA Pioneer
Rosalind Franklin’s contributions to science are as clear as the famous photograph she captured—Photo 51, which revealed the double helix structure of DNA. Her expertise in X-ray crystallography allowed James Watson and Francis Crick to model the structure of DNA, one of the most important discoveries in biology. Yet, when the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded in 1962, Franklin’s name was missing. She died young, at just 37, and recognition for her work came largely posthumously. This oversight has become a rallying point for those fighting for fair acknowledgment in science. Franklin’s story is now taught in schools and universities worldwide as a symbol of both scientific brilliance and the need for equality.
Katherine Johnson: The Mathematician Behind NASA’s Success
Katherine Johnson was a mathematical genius whose calculations sent astronauts into space and brought them safely home. Working at NASA during a time of deep racial segregation, Johnson calculated trajectories, launch windows, and emergency return paths for missions such as Alan Shepard’s 1961 flight and John Glenn’s historic orbit around Earth in 1962. Glenn famously insisted that only Johnson verify the complex computer calculations before he would take off. Her story, long hidden, became known to millions through the bestselling book and hit movie “Hidden Figures.” Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 and witnessed a late wave of recognition, but for decades, her name was missing from the history books. Her perseverance and brilliance showed that talent knows no boundaries of race or gender.
Henrietta Lacks: The Woman Behind HeLa Cells
Henrietta Lacks changed the face of medicine, though she never knew it. In 1951, doctors took cancer cells from her without her knowledge or consent. These cells, known as HeLa cells, proved to be “immortal”—they could reproduce endlessly in the lab and have since been used in countless medical breakthroughs. From developing the polio vaccine to advancing cancer and HIV research, HeLa cells are everywhere. But for decades, the woman behind them was forgotten, and her family received no compensation or acknowledgment. Only recently, through books and documentaries, has Lacks’s story gained the recognition it deserves. Her case has sparked vital discussions on medical ethics, patient consent, and the dignity of every individual who contributes to science.
Dorothy Hodgkin: The Nobel Laureate in X-ray Crystallography
Dorothy Hodgkin’s name deserves to shine just as brightly as her scientific achievements. A British chemist, Hodgkin decoded the structures of penicillin, insulin, and vitamin B12 using X-ray crystallography, a technique that reveals molecules in stunning detail. For her work, she became the third woman ever to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, in 1964. Her discoveries paved the way for lifesaving drugs and treatments that are still used today. Despite this, Hodgkin remains relatively unknown outside scientific circles. She was also a mentor to future Nobel laureate Richard Henderson and an advocate for women in science, showing that success and generosity can go hand in hand.
Gerty Cori: A Pioneer in Biochemistry
Gerty Cori’s story is one of quiet revolution in the world of biochemistry. In 1947, she became the first American woman to win a Nobel Prize in science, honored for her work on glucose metabolism. Along with her husband, Carl Cori, she discovered the Cori cycle, which explains how the body converts glycogen to glucose and back, powering our muscles and brains. Cori faced obstacles at every turn—she was often offered lower salaries and less prestigious positions than her male colleagues. Still, she continued to break barriers, earning her place in history. Her research underpins much of what we know about diabetes and metabolic diseases today, but her name is still less known than it should be.
Mary Anning: The Fossil Hunter
Mary Anning has been called the greatest fossilist the world ever knew, yet for much of her life, her discoveries went uncredited. In the early 19th century, Anning scoured the cliffs of Lyme Regis, England, unearthing fossils that would shape the young science of paleontology. She discovered the first complete Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus skeletons, rewrote the understanding of prehistoric life, and even influenced Charles Darwin’s ideas. But as a woman of modest means, she was often excluded from scientific societies and her work was dismissed by male contemporaries. Only recently has her name begun to receive the honor it deserves, showing how history can change when we choose to look deeper.
Esther Lederberg: A Trailblazer in Genetics
Esther Lederberg’s research laid the foundation for many of the advances in genetics that followed. She discovered the lambda phage, a virus that infects bacteria, and developed replica plating, a method that allows scientists to study bacterial mutations with precision. These discoveries have been vital to research in genetics, molecular biology, and antibiotic resistance. However, much of the recognition for this work went to her husband, Joshua Lederberg, who won the Nobel Prize in 1958. Esther’s story is a powerful reminder of how easily women’s contributions can be overlooked, even when they are at the very heart of scientific progress. Her legacy endures in the countless experiments made possible by her pioneering techniques.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
