Celebrating Women in Science

Throughout history, women in STEM have defied societal norms, challenged conventions, and made groundbreaking discoveries that transformed our understanding of the world. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s honor some of the most influential women scientists—pioneers who paved the way for future generations of researchers and innovators in STEM fields.

Marie Curie (1867–1934) – The Pioneer of Radioactivity

Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to have won Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields: Physics and Chemistry. Her discoveries in radioactivity led to the development of X-ray technology and cancer treatments, fundamentally changing the landscape of modern medicine.

If Marie Curie had thought she wasn’t smart enough or had decided to stay home and help with chores instead, we might never have harnessed the power of radiation for medical breakthroughs and cancer therapies.

Fun Fact: Curie’s notebooks are still radioactive today and are stored in lead-lined boxes at the National Library of France!

Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958) – The Unsung Hero of DNA

Rosalind Franklin’s pioneering work with X-ray diffraction images provided the crucial evidence needed to understand the double-helix structure of DNA. Though her contributions were largely unrecognized during her lifetime, her research laid the foundation for modern genetics, biotechnology, and molecular biology.

If Rosalind Franklin had believed that science wasn’t for women or had chosen to pursue a different, more conventional career, our understanding of genetics and hereditary diseases might have been significantly delayed.

Fun Fact: Franklin also made significant contributions to the study of viruses, including the structure of the tobacco mosaic virus!

Katherine Johnson (1918–2020) – NASA’s Hidden Figure

Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician, played a crucial role in calculating trajectories for NASA’s space missions, including John Glenn’s historic orbit around Earth in 1962. Her work was instrumental in sending astronauts to the Moon during the Apollo program and shaping space exploration.

If Katherine Johnson had thought that math was too difficult or had chosen to stay away from science and engineering because of societal expectations, space travel as we know it might not have been possible.

Fun Fact: Johnson’s calculations were so precise that John Glenn personally requested her to double-check the computer’s work before his spaceflight!

Barbara McClintock (1902–1992) – The Genetic Trailblazer

Barbara McClintock’s discovery of "jumping genes" (transposons) revolutionized genetics by showing that genes can move between locations within a genome. Her groundbreaking work reshaped how scientists understand DNA and earned her a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983.

If Barbara McClintock had thought she wasn’t capable or had chosen to ignore her own instincts about genetics, we might not have uncovered the dynamic nature of the genome and its impact on genetic variation.

Fun Fact: McClintock was often ahead of her time—her work on genetic mobility was initially dismissed before being widely recognized decades later!

Tu Youyou (Born 1930) – The Malaria Fighter

Tu Youyou’s discovery of artemisinin, a compound used to treat malaria, has saved millions of lives worldwide. Her work, based on ancient Chinese medicine, bridged traditional healing and modern pharmacology, earning her the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

If Tu Youyou had dismissed traditional medicine as unscientific or had decided to follow a different career path, millions of lives might have been lost to malaria.

Fun Fact: Tu Youyou was the first Chinese citizen to receive a Nobel Prize in a scientific category without a doctoral degree or formal international training!

Jennifer Doudna (Born 1964) – The Gene Editor

Jennifer Doudna is one of the pioneers behind CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary gene-editing technology that has transformed medicine, genetics, and agriculture. This breakthrough allows scientists to edit DNA with unprecedented precision, holding promise for curing genetic disorders and advancing biotechnology.

If Jennifer Doudna had thought science was boring or had decided to ignore her curiosity about genetics, we might not have CRISPR’s revolutionary potential today, which is shaping the future of medical science.

Fun Fact: Doudna’s inspiration for CRISPR came after she saw a dream about controlling DNA with molecular scissors!

An Invitation to Future Women in STEM

These extraordinary women in STEM have shown us that curiosity, perseverance, and passion for discovery know no gender. As we celebrate their achievements, we also look to the future. To all the aspiring scientists, engineers, and researchers out there—your journey starts today. Bar-Ilan University proudly supports women in science, offering world-class research opportunities, mentorship, and an environment where innovation thrives.