#16: Marie Curie

Marie Curie, a pioneer in the field of radioactivity, faced not only the challenges of groundbreaking scientific discovery but also the fears and misconceptions of her era. Her groundbreaking research on radioactivity in the early 20th century brought her two Nobel Prizes and a profound understanding of the atomic world. However, it also stirred deep concerns about the potential dangers of her work.

At a time when the hazards of radiation were not fully understood, Curie’s relentless pursuit of knowledge often placed her in perilous situations. She carried radioactive materials in her pockets, and her notebooks from the time were still so highly radioactive. Her pioneering work not only expanded our understanding of the fundamental forces of nature but also laid the foundation for modern nuclear physics and medicine.