Marie Curie

November 7, 1867 is the birthday of Marie Sklodowska-Curie. Marie Curie was of Polish descent citizen and became a naturalized French citizen. She conducted reach on radioactivity, discovered different natural elements and isolated radium isotopes. Marie, along with her husband won a Nobel Prize. She was the first woman to win the prize and the only person to win in multiple sciences.
Marie Curie studied at Warsaw's clandestine Floating University. She later moved to Paris where Curie earned her higher degrees and conducted her scientific work. Marie's highest achievement is the discovery and concept of radioactivity (her words) and the methods for segregating radioactive isotopes. She and her husband Pierre discovered the elements radium and polonium. Her research included the treatment of tumors or masses in the body using radioactive isotopes. She established the first military field radiological or x-ray centers during WWI. In her middle years, Marie created the Curie Institutes in Warsaw and Paris which are still major centers of research.
Marie married Pierre Curie in 1895 and together they shared long bicycle trips, journeys abroad, and a love of science plus two daughters. Pierre was killed in a road accident in1906 and the physics professorship retained for him was offered to Marie. She accepted and became the first women professor at the University of Paris.
Marie was elected a member of the International Atomic Weights Committee in 1930. She served in this capacity until her death on July 4, 1934. Marie died from aplastic anemia she contracted from her exposure to radiation. Marie stored test tubes containing radioactive isotopes in her desk drawers and often carried these same test tubes around in her pockets. It was unknown at the time that unshielded radiation causes cataracts, chronic illnesses, and ultimately death. Marie's papers are kept in lead-lined boxes and those who read them are required to wear protective clothing.