Who Does Science? Discover the Faces Behind Scientific Breakthroughs

Science has been a subject of fascination for centuries, and it is responsible for some of the most ground-breaking discoveries and inventions in human history. However, do we ever stop to consider just who does science? Behind every scientific discovery or breakthrough is an individual who dedicated their life to studying and experimenting to change the world.

This blog post takes a closer look at some of these individuals – the faces behind scientific breakthroughs that have transformed our lives in countless ways. From chemists and physicists to biologists and engineers, these brilliant minds are responsible for shaping modern society as we know it.

We’ll explore how they got started on their scientific journey, what inspired them, and how they overcame challenges along the way. We’ll delve into their personal stories and learn about their most significant contributions to their respective fields.

If you’ve ever wondered about the people responsible for some of the most celebrated scientific accomplishments of all time, this article is for you. By understanding the individuals behind these discoveries, we can gain a broader perspective on the role of science in society and appreciate the work that goes into creating something truly revolutionary.

The scientific method is not just for scientists, but for anyone who wants to understand the world around them.” -Neil deGrasse Tyson

So join us as we take a deep dive into the fascinating lives and careers of those who do science.

The Pioneering Women of Science

Science has always been considered a male-dominated field, but over the years there have been several women who defied societal norms and made significant contributions to scientific discoveries. These women paved the way for future generations of female scientists and proved that anyone can excel in the field of science regardless of gender.

Marie Curie: Discovering Radioactivity

Marie Curie was a Polish physicist and chemist who is known for her pioneering work on radioactivity. She was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize and the first person ever to win two Nobel Prizes in different fields. Curie’s research paved the way for medical applications of radiation and also provided insights into the structure of atoms.

“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie

Rosie Franklin: Unraveling the Structure of DNA

Rosalind “Rosie” Franklin was an English chemist whose work led to the discovery of the structure of DNA. Working alongside other noteworthy scientists such as James Watson and Francis Crick, Franklin’s X-ray crystallography images were crucial in determining the double helix structure of DNA. Unfortunately, Franklin passed away before she could receive recognition for her remarkable contribution to science.

“Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated.” – Rosalind Franklin

Grace Hopper: Pioneering Computer Programming

Grace Hopper was an American computer scientist and Navy Rear Admiral who pioneered the development of early computers and programming languages. She invented the first compiler which translated instructions written by humans into machine language understood by computers. Her contributions laid the groundwork for modern programming languages and advancements in computer technology.

“The most dangerous phrase in the language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” – Grace Hopper

Hedy Lamarr: Inventing Wi-Fi Technology

Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-born actress and inventor whose work on frequency hopping during World War II laid the foundation for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology. Her invention was initially ignored by the US Navy as they could not fathom that a woman could invent something of such significance. Today, she is celebrated as one of the pioneers of wireless communication.

“The brains of people are more interesting than the looks I think.” – Hedy Lamarr

• These women have shown us that science is not just for men but for anyone who has the passion and drive to make discoveries.
• Their contributions have opened doors for future generations of female scientists and made it possible for them to be taken seriously in the field.
• We must continue to celebrate these trailblazers and encourage more young girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The Brains Behind NASA’s Greatest Missions

Behind every successful space mission, there are countless scientists and engineers who work tirelessly to make it possible. Here we look at three remarkable women who played crucial roles in some of NASA’s most groundbreaking missions.

Katherine Johnson: Calculating Trajectories for Spacecraft

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who made important contributions to the early years of spaceflight. She calculated trajectories by hand for the first manned spaceflights, including Alan Shepard’s flight aboard Freedom 7 in 1961. Later she worked on the Apollo program, where her calculations helped ensure that astronauts could safely navigate to the moon and back.

“I loved going to work every single day,” Johnson once said. “There was always something new to do.” Her story was told in the 2016 movie Hidden Figures, which brought her incredible achievements to a wide audience.

“We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics.” -Katherine Johnson

Margaret Hamilton: Programming the Apollo Guidance Computer

Margaret Hamilton was the lead software engineer on the Apollo program, responsible for developing the onboard guidance systems that enabled the spacecraft to fly to the moon. It was her innovative approach to software design that allowed the Apollo Guidance Computer to manage multiple tasks simultaneously – a revolutionary idea at the time.

Hamilton also popularized the term “software engineering” and helped pave the way for more women to enter the field. In an interview with Digital Trends, she explained why she believes diversity is so important in science:

“Any problem in science or engineering is inherently complex. Bringing diverse perspectives to that complexity is paramount … So it’s not just a matter of fairness; it’s also a matter of quality.”

Nancy Grace Roman: Launching the Hubble Space Telescope

Known as the “Mother of Hubble,” Nancy Grace Roman was NASA’s first chief astronomer and played a critical role in developing the Hubble Space Telescope.

Roman grew up in a time when women were discouraged from pursuing careers in science, but she persisted nonetheless. Her research focused on studying stars and galaxies, and her work laid the foundations for future space telescopes. She also championed the idea of launching the Hubble, arguing that a telescope beyond Earth’s atmosphere would be able to see further and clearer than any other observatory on the ground.

“As an astronomer, you think about your place in the universe. I feel very much like a part of the universe, and I’m very glad that it’s my privilege to be able to take part in such activities. It’s a thrilling experience.” -Nancy Grace Roman

These extraordinary women all shared a passion for science and a determination to pursue their dreams, despite facing obstacles along the way. They remind us that anyone can be a scientist if they are dedicated, curious, and willing to work hard to make new discoveries.

The Innovators Pushing the Boundaries of Technology

Science and technology have revolutionized every aspect of our lives. From transportation to communication, technological advancements have made everything more efficient, accessible and convenient. Every day, new inventions come into existence that have the potential to change the world we live in for the better.

In this article, we will discuss three innovators who have pushed the boundaries of technology and created inventions that are transforming lives around the world. These visionaries are Elon Musk, Joy Buolamwini, and Tim Berners-Lee.

Elon Musk: Revolutionizing the Electric Car Industry

Elon Musk is known for his unwavering belief in alternative energy sources and his commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He co-founded Tesla with the goal of creating a car that could run entirely on electricity. Today, Tesla is perhaps one of the most valuable electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers in the world, producing cars that are not only beautiful but also eco-friendly, fast, and technologically advanced.

According to Musk, “It’s imperative that we accelerate the transition to sustainable transport. The Earth’s atmosphere cannot absorb infinite waste from human activity.” With Tesla, he hopes to make EVs more accessible and affordable to people around the world while simultaneously drawing attention to the need for renewable energy and environmental sustainability.

“If something is important enough you should try, even if the probable outcome is failure.” – Elon Musk

Tesla’s ambitious objectives extend beyond just manufacturing cars. The company has plans for developing solar roof tiles, home batteries and grid-scale battery storage systems – all using sustainable technologies.

Joy Buolamwini: Fighting Bias in Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to be one of the most transformative technologies of this century. Autonomous machines and software are becoming increasingly advanced, powered by vast data sets and machine learning algorithms. However, these systems aren’t free from flaws.

Bias in AI can have serious consequences. For example, facial recognition technology is often not accurate when detecting dark-skinned individuals or women due to a lack of diversity within training datasets. Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, aims to mitigate such biases.

“The fight for human rights should extend to protecting our dignity as we interact with technology.” – Joy Buolamnwini

She has dedicated her career to ensuring that AI tools are reflective of all humans, regardless of their race or gender identity. By working on improving how algorithms operate, she hopes to ensure that these powerful technologies complement human abilities without perpetuating systemic inequalities.

Tim Berners-Lee: Inventing the World Wide Web

The internet has transformed society immeasurably since it was first established. But few people realize that the person behind its primary innovation is Sir Tim Berners-Lee. He invented the World Wide Web while he was working at CERN in Switzerland, where he developed an innovative way of linking knowledge across computers through what we now know as hypertext.

Berners-Lee never intended for the web to become centralized or controlled by single entities. Even today, he advocates for an open-source approach that allows anyone to access information and shape online content democratically.

“Web science represents a pretty fundamental change in how we do science…how we make use of valuable resources like scholars’ time.” – Tim Berners-Lee

In recent years, he’s also been fighting against net neutrality – the idea that the internet service providers should not have the power to control which websites users can visit or how fast they load.

• Elon Musk, Joy Buolamwini and Tim Berners-Lee are all visionaries in their respective fields whose work is transforming our world.
• Musk’s Tesla is driving technological advancements in EVs and sustainable energy solutions;
• Buolamwini’s Algorithmic Justice League aims to combat biases within AI algorithms; and
• Berners-Lee advocates for an open-source approach to using web technology that allows anyone to access information freely,

Their trailblazing efforts demonstrate just what kind of positive impact science and technology can have on society while highlighting the need for diversity, inclusivity, transparency, and environmental sustainability.

The Unsung Heroes of Medical Research

Science and research are often glamorous. We talk about the great discoveries, the breakthroughs that change lives and reshape our world. But behind each of those groundbreaking moments is a team of scientists, researchers, and unsung heroes who work tirelessly to bring us closer to understanding the mysteries of the universe.

Frances Kelsey: Preventing the Sale of Thalidomide in the US

Frances Oldham Kelsey was an American-Canadian pharmacologist. Her most famous achievement was her refusal to approve thalidomide for use in pregnant women, which prevented thousands of birth defects. In November 1960, Kelsey began reviewing the application from William S. Merrell Company, on the proposed distribution and sale of thalidomide. She found that testing completed by Richardson-Merrell studies were incomplete and inadequate. As her list of concerns grew longer, Richardson-Merrell continued pushing for approval while avoiding any discussion of their concerns. However, due to Dr. Frances’s persistence with her gut feelings and requirements in addition to scientific testing, thalidomide never entered the general market of the United States.

In 2015 she received recognition for her role in preventing the people of America being affected by the disastrous drug thalidomide and was posthumously awarded one of Canada’s highest honors. Her history-making decision had significant ramifications around the world, where it is estimated that over 10,000 babies worldwide were born with deformities caused by thalidomide usage pointing out that responsibility in science does not only come from research purposes but also from good human nature decisions executed against societal pressure acts as crucial drivers when dealing with human health.

Baruch Blumberg: Discovering the Hepatitis B Virus

Baruch Samuel Blumberg was a physician, medical researcher, and Nobel laureate in medicine (1976). His most important discovery is related to the hepatitis B virus. While working at the National Institutes of Health, he discovered an antigen that eventually led to the first diagnostic test for Hepatitis B which has saved countless lives worldwide.

“Discoveries are like falling in love—you have got to be sitting on the bench watching something when it suddenly dawns on you…” says Baruch also responsible for revolutionizing research practices by shifting his focus to epidemiology, genetics and anthropology, paving the way for interdisciplinary research resulting in major breakthroughs.

Dr. Frances Kelsey and Dr. Baruch Blumberg represent two unsung heroes in medical research. Their work has changed the world significantly but hardly receive credit compared to other figures with similar contributions. These stories remind us of all those who contributed hard work behind monumental scientific discoveries that touch human life through basic acts of courage, resilience, and intellectual honesty against societal pressure.

“I have had help from many people including, of course, my wife Sarah and other family members, but fundamental as been my partnership since the mid-1960s with D. Carleton Gajdusek.” – Baruch Blumberg

The Environmentalists Fighting to Save Our Planet

Greta Thunberg: Inspiring Global Climate Activism

Greta Thunberg is a young Swedish environmental activist who started advocacy for the climate action by protesting outside of her country’s parliament every Friday. She quickly gained popularity and attention from media across the world with her speeches at various international forums, including the United Nations.

Thunberg firmly believes that individuals should take actions against the climate crisis rather than relying solely on governments and organizations to affect change. “We have not come here to beg world leaders to care,” she said in her speech at the UN Climate Action Summit. “They have ignored us in the past and they will ignore us again.”

“I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.” -Greta Thunberg

Her message has resonated with people globally, especially younger generations. Her activism led to the launch of Fridays for Future, a global movement of students striking on Fridays to demand political action on climate change.

Wangari Maathai: Planting Trees to Combat Deforestation

Wangari Maathai was Kenyan Nobel Prize winner known for her efforts in promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development through the Green Belt Movement. The organization focused on planting trees to combat deforestation while advocating for women’s rights, democracy, and social justice.

In 1977, Maathai mobilized rural women in Kenya to plant trees to replenish their community’s degraded environment. Apart from mitigating the effects of soil erosion, tree-planting allowed women to generate an income through the sale of tree products like fruits and nuts and became empowered in owning their small businesses and improving their families’ incomes.

“We can work together for a better world with men and women of goodwill, those who radiate the intrinsic goodness of humankind.” -Wangari Maathai

Through her leadership in promoting tree planting, more than 50 million trees have been planted in Kenya alone. Her legacy continues to inspire environmental conservation efforts globally, especially through community-based initiatives.

These two environmentalists demonstrate that anyone can take action to mitigate the climate crisis despite their age or background. From Thunberg’s global climate activism to Maathai’s grassroots approach, they show us that advocacy for sustainability should be at the center of our daily lives as individuals, organizations, and governments.

The Next Generation of Scientists: Young Minds Making a Difference

When we think of scientists, we often picture individuals in white lab coats conducting experiments in sterile labs. However, science is not limited to those with degrees or even age restrictions. In fact, some of the most innovative and impactful scientific breakthroughs are being made by young minds who have yet to receive their high school diplomas.

Alaina Gassler: Inventing a Solution to Eliminate Blind Spots in Cars

Blind spots can be dangerous for drivers, leading to accidents and injuries. Alaina Gassler, a 14-year-old from Pennsylvania, recognized this issue and decided to take action. After observing her mother’s difficulty seeing while driving due to blind spots, she invented a device using a camera, projector, and reflective material that eliminates these spots and displays an unobstructed view on the inside of the car.

Her invention won first place in the Broadcom MASTERS competition, which honors middle school students for excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Gassler hopes that automakers will adopt her technology and make it standard in all cars, ultimately saving lives on the road.

“The advantage of having young inventors is that they don’t know what is impossible.” – Dr. Andrea Kustermann, Broadcom Masters Judge

Fionn Ferreira: Cleaning Up Microplastics in Water with Magnetic Liquids

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles measuring less than five millimeters, are polluting oceans and waterways, harming marine animals and releasing toxins into the environment. Fionn Ferreira, an Irish teenager, sought to find a solution to this problem.

He conducted a series of experiments and discovered that magnetic liquids can be used to attract and remove microplastics from water. Ferreira’s innovative approach won him the grand prize in the 2019 Google Science Fair, earning him praise from environmentalists around the world.

“He is brilliant. I commend Ferreira for identifying a problem and developing a practical solution that helps preserve our planet.” – Dr. Sylvia Earle, Marine Biologist

Gitanjali Rao: Using Technology to Detect Lead in Drinking Water

Lead contamination in drinking water has been a longstanding issue, particularly in low-income areas where infrastructure is outdated. Gitanjali Rao, a young inventor from Colorado, developed a device that can detect lead in water within seconds using carbon atoms and Bluetooth technology.

Rao was honored as Time Magazine’s Kid of the Year in 2020, recognizing her work in not only developing this groundbreaking device but also for advocating for STEM education and inspiring other young people to pursue their passions.

“I saw problems around me and I wanted to fix them. If I could do it, anybody else could do it too.” – Gitanjali Rao, Time Magazine Kid of the Year

These three young scientists prove that science is accessible to anyone with curiosity, creativity, and determination. With their passion and ingenuity, they are leading the charge towards a better future for all. Who does science? The answer is clear- anyone who chooses to pursue it.

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