By Dr. Kristin Drexler
Faculty Member, School of STEM
with Marisa Estrada
Undergraduate Student, Natural Sciences
There are many famous women in the field of physics, chemistry and medicine. Among one of the most well-known figures commemorated during events like Women’s History Month is Polish-French scientist Marie Curie. Even today, Marie Curie serves as an inspiration for many women who want to enter science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, due to her contributions to global progress in the medical and scientific fields.
The History of Marie Curie
Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland, on November 7, 1867. Marie’s parents were teachers and serious about the education of their children. She received a general education in local schools and later moved to Paris to attend school at the Sorbonne, earning a master’s degree. Marie was also the first woman in Europe to obtain her Ph.D. in science.
Also, Marie Curie earned two Nobel Prizes. In 1903, Marie shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with fellow scientist Henri Becquerel for his discovery of spontaneous radioactivity and with her husband Pierre for their investigations of radiation phenomenal discovered by Becquerel. In 1911, Marie earned a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work in the isolation of metallic radium and her discovery of radium and polonium.
After Pierre died in 1906, Marie Curie became the first women to hold the position of Professor of General Physics in the Faculty of Sciences, taking over her husband’s former position. Marie opened the way for many women to enter the field of science. Her research led to the development of nuclear energy and had a huge contribution to finding treatments for cancer.
During World War I, Marie developed a mobile X-ray machine to be used in the battlefront for the diagnosis of soldiers’ injuries. She worked during the war alongside her daughter Iréne (who was 17 years old at the time) performing X-rays on wounded soldiers. Their work not only saved many lives, but also “saved many from long suffering and lasting infirmity,” according to Marie Curie.
Related link: Solving the Gender Equality Problem in Multiple STEM Fields
Marie Curie Organizations
There are several organizations featuring Marie Curie’s legacy, including:
- The Pierre and Marie Curie University (UPMC) of Paris, France, now merged with Sorbonne University
- The Curie Institute (“Institut Curie”) of Paris, France
- Marie Curie, a charity organization serving England, Scotland and Wales
The Sorbonne University is one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Its alumni and professors have earned 33 Nobel Prizes, six Fields Medals and one Turing Award.
The Curie Institute makes medical science understandable for people via scientific contributions to the international influence of research and treatment, particularly to oncology. According to its website, this organization provides:
- Basic scientific, translational and clinical research in physics, chemistry, biology and radiobiology
- Diagnostics, follow-up and care given to patients within a hospital group assimilated with a cancer research center
- Development of research and access to innovation
- Preservation and transfer of knowledge (e.g., teaching)
The Marie Curie charity provides end-of-life research and support for terminal patients and their families. Established in 1948, Marie Curie is a global leader in palliative care research and improving care for people living with terminal illnesses. This organization also coordinates treatment at home for hospice care patients.
Related link: STEM Women: Creating Their Own Businesses Despite COVID-19
How Marie Curie Has Inspired Current University Student Marisa Estrada
Marie Curie’s story is particularly inspirational for current students like Marisa Estrada. Marisa is currently working on earning her bachelor’s degree in natural sciences with a biology concentration.
Dr. Drexler: Marisa, what inspires you most about Marie Curie and her story?
Marisa: Marie Curie inspires me because of her determination to succeed in the science field. She had many personal losses, had to leave her family and had to move to France if she wanted to be successful.
Also, Marie was a mother and even after she lost her husband, she worked through it all. As a mom, student and military spouse, I relate to her in a way. We military spouses are resilient and determined; our adaptability helps us succeed in every new duty station that we move to every couple of years.
Every time we go to a new state, we start over; we have to build our new life for the next couple of years and do it all over again each time. Marie Curie inspires me to not give up because if she could do it with little resources many years ago, so can any woman.
With all the new technology and resources we have, anything is possible. She has inspired me to push myself; it is not about being perfect, it’s about improving ourselves. One quote from Marie Curie that I live by is “Have no fear of perfection; you’ll never reach it.”
Dr. Drexler: When did you learn about her?
Marisa: I learned about Marie Curie in one of my physics classes that I took, and once I heard about her, I immediately started to think that any woman can reach her full potential even in a male-dominated field. We can do anything we set our mind to.
In her case, Marie knew what she wanted to do and she went for it. She believed in herself.
Dr. Drexler: How will Marie Curie continue to influence you professionally, academically and personally?
Marisa: I’m inspired by her success. Any time I feel like I am not making progress, I will think of how Marie never gave up. She has helped me push myself through some difficult situation, so that I can stay focused and will see my reward. It does not have to be a prize or anything major; simply knowing I am reaching my goals in a field where less than 30% are women in STEM means a lot to me.
Dr. Drexler: You’re studying biology right now. When do you expect to graduate? What do you hope to do once you graduate?
Marisa: I expect to graduate at the end of this semester in June 2022. I have to say I was undecided for a very long time on what I wanted to do after graduation. But as I started getting closer to the end of my degree, I decided that I want to continue my education in biology and work as a research associate while pursuing a career as a medical scientist.
STEM Organizations Are Available at the University
The University has several academic programs relating to science, including physics, chemistry, biology and medicine. To learn more about these topics, please consider becoming a member of one of these student organizations:
- National Association of Environmental Professionals (NEAP)
- Association of Women in Science (AWIS)
- Women in STEM (wSTEM)
- The Wildlife Society
- Public Health Club
About the Authors
Dr. Kristin Drexler is a full-time faculty member in the Space and Earth Studies Programs. She teaches geography, environmental science, earth system history, conservation of natural resources, and earth and planetary sustainability for the School of STEM. She earned her Ph.D. in educational leadership at New Mexico State University by researching socioecological systems, sustainable agroecology and community education. Dr. Drexler earned the Undergraduate Excellence in Teaching Award for the School of STEM (2020) and the Dr. Wallace E. Boston Leadership Award (2021). Drexler produced an award-winning short film, “Yochi,” in 2017 about youth conservation and action against poaching and illegal wildlife trade. In the late 1990s, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Belize. She co-founded and serves on the board of directors of Full Basket Belize, a U.S. nonprofit that provides high school scholarships and community grants in Belize. Kristin serves as a faculty advisor for the university’s wSTEM and AWIS chapters. She also founded the “Science Talks with Dr. Drexler and Friends” lesson series for primary school (2020-21).
Marisa Estrada is a military spouse who lives in New Jersey with her husband and two young children. In addition to working on a bachelor’s degree in natural science with a concentration in biology, Marisa serves as the webmaster for wSTEM and AWIS. In the future, she would like to turn her focus to becoming a medical scientist.
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