Marie Curie: The First Woman to Win the Nobel Prize, Twice

Marie Curie was a Polish Scientist known for her extensive research in the field of radiology and understanding radioactive elements. Her research began with the discovery of X-Rays, with no clear reason as to why they exist and where they come from. Further research was done to discover that the waves came from uranium, but there was no understanding of why it radiates from it. Marie Curie, fascinated by the topic, decided to research it as a thesis. Her interest in science, is what drove her to start researching. Prior to this research she had done some research on magnetic and electric fields. She was also very dedicated to her work, sometimes even forgetting all life around her while working.

Curies major work revolves around her study of two other radioactive metals: pitchblende and torbernite. Both of these metals highly radioactive, with the former being nearly four times the strength of uranium, and the ladder being two times. Through this research she also discovered two more radioactive elements: Polonium (named after her home country) and radium. Her extensive research of these elements furthered the worlds research and understanding of radioactive elements and how they work. In her papers written jointly with her husband, who joined her lab to help with the efforts, she clearly established ownership in her work. This, in part, was to display that she was capable in completing strong work, as many believed women could not demonstrate such skills. As a result for her work she was given not one, but two Nobel Prizes for her work. One was a prize in Physics shared with her husband and a colleague, the other was a prize in Chemistry, which she won alone. This also made her the first woman in history to win a Nobel Prize.

In Walter Isaacson's "The Code Breaker" there is discussions on the process and creative workings that were needed to invent CRISPR. One thing that was highly mentioned in the book was interdisciplinary thinking, where more than one field or people needed to work together to discover something. In CRISPRs case, the use of microbiology and chemistry allowed for the massive breakthrough in which CRISPR is, and today is one of the most important and one of the highest success rate processes that can occur. Similarly, Curie used her research in Physics as well as her interest in he natural sciences to study radioactive elements. Her research allowed her to understand the electric fields around these objects as well as expand research as to why these waves of energy are projected on objects. Another topic brough up was lots of experimentations and trial and error. Both groups spent countless hours doing research and studying. Curie even at one point took a piece of pitchblende and used a mortar and pestle just to understand all the small pieces inside to see if there was anything within that was giving it the energy. Through all of these advancements Marie Curie has provided an outstanding jump in our research of the elements, and as well stands as a prominent figure of women in science.