![]() ![]() The discovery of the 3D double-helix mosaic structure of DNA in 1953 was a huge revelation in the field of genetics and biochemistry, such that it led to the award of a Nobel Prize to three men who had worked on the project in 1962. In her individual work, Curie studied intensively the therapeutic properties of radium in alleviating pain, for which she won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1911, then going on to found a radioactivity laboratory in her home city and share her love for science and research with her own people. There, she would rise steadily through the ranks to eventually become the Professor of General Physics in the Faculty of Sciences at the Sorbonne, as the first woman to hold that position.Īlongside her husband, whom she met at the university, Curie investigated spontaneous radiation and their research led to the isolation of polonium and radium, for which they were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903. In 1891, in her early 20s, Curie moved to Paris to continue studying physics and mathematics, of which her father had been a teacher. Already one could see her passion for making knowledge accessible and drive to instill a love of learning for all. She also spent time reading in Polish to female workers as what was termed a “free university”. Due to her family’s financial struggle, Curie had to dedicate much of her time to providing for them, and even funded her sister’s medical studies with the agreement the favour would later be returned. It’s clear we’ve got a long way to go before women are as equally represented as men in STEM, but to commemorate global progress, here are some of the glass-ceiling breakers who triumphed even when representation and support were far less!Īs a recipient of two Nobel Prizes in her time, and the first woman ever to win a Nobel Prize, Marie Curie is potentially the most widely known historical woman in STEM. ![]() The most eye-catching being that only 17% of the STEM-qualified population in 2016 were women (see Figure 1), and as little as 14.5% of STEM professors.įigure 1: In 2016 women only made up 17% of the ove rall population of STEM-qualified people in Australia. The Australian government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources states a number of statistics regarding women in STEM. Bringing together our love of science at TwistED and this important day, we’ve collated some facts on women in STEM and are paying homage to those significant ones who’ve paved the way for today’s female scientists. ![]() On the 8th of March, people across the globe gathered to celebrate and advocate the achievements of women and the progression of gender equality for International Women’s Day. ![]()
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