Top 6 women scientists in the world

Female scientists who have contributed massively to the field of medicine, science and technology.

By Noorulain Sayed 10th Feb, 2016 | 03:28 pm

Whenever one thinks of female scientists, Marie Curie is the only name which strikes the mind. However, there are many female scientists who have contributed massively to the field of medicine, science and technology. On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we take a look at six such great women.

Elizabeth Blackwell – First doctor in America

This British born American physician was the first woman to become a medical doctor in the United States. Back in 1847, she was the only female student in Hobart College and in her class of 150 male students! On January 23, 1849, she received her medical degree.

Rita Levi-Montalcini – Discovered nerve growth factor

Rita was an Italian neurologist. She received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986 for the discovery of Nerve growth factor (NGF). She was also one of the first scientists who emphasized on importance of the mast cell in human pathology.

Irène Joliot-Curie – Discovered artificial radioactivity

Like mother like daughter! Marie Curie’s daughter Irene Joliot Curie won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1935 for the finding of artificial radioactivity. Irene and her husband Frederic also turned boron into radioactive nitrogen, aluminum into phosphorus and magnesium into silicon.

Caroline Herschel – Discovered comets

Caroline Herschel was an astronomer and the first woman scientist to be recognized by England. During most of her professional life, she collaborated with her brother Sir William Herschel. Caroline discovered several comets. The comet 35P/Herschel-Rigollet, is named after her.

Gerty Cori – First woman to win Nobel Prize in Medicine

Gerty was an American biochemist. She made a path breaking discovery of the mechanism where glycogen, a derivative of glucose, is transformed in the muscles to form lactic acid, and is later reformed as a way to store energy. For this discovery, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1947. She was the third woman and the first American woman to win a Nobel Prize in science. Gerty was the first woman to win the prestigious Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Dr. Indira Hinduja – Delivered India’s first test tube baby

Dr. Indira pioneered the gamete intra-fallopian transfer leading to the birth of India’s first test tube baby. A gynecologist, obstetrician and infertility specialist, her invaluable research has been published in several national and international medical journals.