3. Ellen Gleditsch (1879–1968)
A Norwegian radiochemist who worked with Marie Curie, Gleditsch helped refine measurements of radium’s half-life, indirectly contributing to the study of radon, a decay product of radium.
4. Elizabeth Rona (1890–1981)
A Hungarian radiochemist who made significant advancements in the study of radioactive isotopes, including those related to radon and radium.
5. Sister Mary Theonila
A lesser-known but important figure, she worked in the mid-20th century on radon exposure and radiation studies, especially regarding its impact on health
NORTH AMERICA
Marie Curie, one of the most famous scientists of the 20th century, had many protégés and influenced a large number of scientists, especially women, through her groundbreaking work in physics and chemistry. While Curie herself spent much of her career in Europe, her influence reached North America, where several women studied under her or were directly inspired by her.
Here are a few notable women in North America who were connected to Marie Curie:
1.Irène Joliot-Curie (France) – Though not North American, Irène, Marie Curie's daughter, became an influential figure herself and spent some time in North America promoting the work of her mother. She was a significant physicist and chemist, winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1935.
2.Gerty Cori (United States) – Gerty Cori, a biochemist, was heavily inspired by the work of Marie Curie. Though not a direct student of Curie, Cori was among the many women scientists of the time who were inspired by Curie's pioneering work in radioactivity. Cori, along with her husband Carl Cori, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1947 for their work on the enzymatic conversion of glycogen.
3.Lise Meitner (Austria/Sweden) – Lise Meitner was another major figure in the scientific community who was influenced by Curie's work. Meitner’s contributions to nuclear physics were crucial, and she was a mentor to many scientists in the field. While she wasn’t directly under Curie’s tutelage, Meitner’s connection to Curie’s legacy was profound. Meitner’s influence spread to North American institutions through her collaborations and by inspiring women in science worldwide.
4.Marguerite Perey (France) – A physicist who worked directly under Marie Curie at the Radium Institute in Paris. While Perey herself was French, her research and Curie’s influence were felt globally. In the U.S., Perey's work with the discovery of Francium impacted many scientific minds, including North American scientists, especially women pursuing physics and chemistry.
While Curie herself wasn’t directly involved in mentoring a specific generation of North American women in person, her work inspired countless scientists across the world, including in North America.