Introductions Necessary

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

09 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Male students petitioned to have Elizabeth Garrett removed from their school, but she still went on to become Britain’s first female physician. Ima...

Marie Tharp

08 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

World Ocean Day is observed on June 8th, so today we would like to introduce you to the woman who created the first physiographic maps of the sea floo...

Mary Kenneth Keller

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One June 7, 1965, Sister Mary Kenneth Keller was one of the first recipients of a doctorate in computer science in the United States. Image Courtesy...

Mary Cartwright

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mary Cartwright was one of only five women studying mathematics at Oxford after World War I, and she went on to help found chaos theory. Image Courte...

Marti J. Anderson

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A rare combination of what she considers two very different style disciplines, Dr. Marti J. Anderson has found her place bringing together the worlds ...

Rachel Dutton

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Dutton studies microbial colonies by studying delicious cheeses. Image Courtesy of Princeton. Sources and additional reading are available at...

Sabrina Pasterski

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Physicist Sabrina Pasterski has studied at Harvard and MIT, has had her work cited by Stephen Hawking, and even built her own airplane, all before the...

Karen Nyberg

02 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On June 2, 2008, astronaut Karen L. Nyberg arrived at the International Space Station for the first time, while it was still under construction. Imag...

Giuliana Tesoro

02 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Giuliana Tesoro wore many hats during her career including organic chemist, inventor, polymer chemist and professor. Image Courtesy of Yale Uni...

Chien Shiung Wu

01 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Thought to be the only person from China to work on the Manhattan Project, Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu has been referred to as the “Queen of Nuclear Researc...

Stephanie Schawbe

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Considered one of the 40 best divers in the world, Dr. Stephanie Schwabe has been diving for over thirty years both in underground caves and open wate...

Charlotte Friend

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Charlotte Friend was a virologist and cancer researcher whose research helped to change the way we think about cancer in humans. Image Courtesy o...

Rosa Eigenmann

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Considered to be the first female ichthyologist in the United States, Rosa Smith Eigenmann published her first scientific paper at the age of 22. Ima...

Anna Winlock

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After her father’s untimely death, Anna Winlock followed in his footsteps at the Harvard Observatory and completed his unfinished work. Image: Wik...

Virginia Tucker

26 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Virginia Tucker was one of five women hired into the “computer pool” at the NACA, before leading the human computers at NASA. Image Courtesy of U...

Carla Meninsky

25 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hired by the gaming company Atari in 1980, Carla Meninsky was quickly moved into game design and programming. Image Courtesy of Atari Women. Sources...

Helen B. Taussig

25 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Helen Taussig helped found the field of pediatric cardiology after a childhood struggle with dyslexia. Image Courtesy of the National Library of ...

Michelle K. Lee

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Michelle K. Lee served as ...

Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan is a paleobiologist who studies the bone structures of both extinct and living animals. Image Via LinkedIn. Sources and a...

Vanessa Aponte Williams

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Vanessa Aponte Williams has used a systems engineering approach to bridge her interests in chemical engineering and space travel. Image: Wikimed...

Ynes Mexia

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ynes Mexia became a botanist at the age of 55, and on her many worldwide expeditions she gathered thousands of specimens. Image Courtesy of Californi...

Caroline M. Solomon

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The recipient of Gallaudet University’s 2013 Distinguished Faculty Award, Dr. Caroline M Solomon has a passion for teaching and can’t imagine doin...

Helen Sharman

18 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On May 18th, 1991, Helen Sharman became the first Briton in space when she traveled to the MIR space station. Image Courtesy of Helen Sharman. Sourc...

M. Phyllis Lose

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Dr. Lose earned her degree of veterinary medicine, she was one of three female graduates and the only one to go into large-animal practice, conce...

Maria Gaetana Agnesi

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Maria Gaetana Agnesi was a child prodigy who became a celebrated mathematician, though that wasn’t her first choice. Image: Wikimedia. Sources and...

Dorothy H. Anderson

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the first to recognize cystic fibrosis as a disease, Dr. Dorothy H. Andersen changed the lives of people with this condition. Image: Wikimedia. ...

Charlotte Auerbach

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With her studies of the effects of mustard gas, Dr. Charlotte Auerbach helped create the science of mutagenesis. Image Courtesy of Edinburgh Library ...

Inge Lehmann

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inge Lehmann helped us discover what really lies at the center of our planet. Image: Wikimedia. Sources and additional reading are available at http...

Florence Nightingale

12 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You might think you know the story of Florence Nightingale as a pioneer in the nursing profession, but did you know she was also a brilliant statistic...

Susan Jane Cunningham

12 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Susan Jane Cunningham was integral to the building of the mathematics and astronomy departments at the newly founded Swarthmore College in Pennsylvani...

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

11 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, meet Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, the woman who changed our view of the universe and the first recipient of the Annie J. Cannon Award in Astronomy...

Maria Klawe

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Former Harvey Mudd College President Dr. Maria Klawe is a gifted computer scientist and artist. Image: Craig Stanfill (CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED) Sources an...

Noramay Cadena

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Mother’s Day approaches, we celebrate an engineer who earned her degree at MIT while raising her daughter as a single mom, Noramay Cadena. Image...

Jacqueline Barton

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Starting in 1985 when she was the first woman to receive the Alan T. Waterman Award, Dr. Jacqueline Barton has been continually honored for her ground...

Charlotte Angas Scott

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Charlotte Angas Scott spent her lifetime challenging the status quo in regards to women in mathematics and was able to help pave the way for many ...

Mary Dixon Kies

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On May 5, 1809 Mary Dixon Kies was granted the first American patent given to a woman. Image: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sources and additional...

Peg Hunter

05 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we’re celebrating a woman whose work at ILM helped bring Return of the Jedi to life. Happy Star Wars Day and may the force be with you. Ima...

Marleen Sundgaard

04 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Marleen Sundgaard knew from the age of five she wanted to be an astronaut and has pursued that dream with great drive and passion. Image: NASA/JPL S...

Radia Perlman

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You can call Radia Perlman a pioneer in computer science, a visionary in networking, and an innovator in teaching children programming – but don’t...

Evelyn Boyd Granville

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

May 1st marks the birthday of mathematician and educator Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville, a native of Washington D.C., one of the first African American wom...

Heidi Hammel

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Astronomer Heidi Hammel began to love astronomy in college, and now has done extensive studies of Neptune and Uranus. Image: Bill Ingalls / NASA (CC...

Hélène Langevin-Joliot

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hélène Langevin-Joliot had quite a family legacy to live up to as the daughter and granddaughter of Nobel Prize winners, but she wasn’t deterred a...

Irène Joliot-Curie

28 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As one of the daughters of Marie and Pierre Curie, Irene Joliot-Curie was raised in the spotlight of the groundbreaking work of her parents, but still...

Mary Jackson

28 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mary Jackson carved her own career path in engineering at NASA before switching roles to help others rise to the top. Image: Bob Nye / NASA Sources ...

Anne McLaren

27 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Through her work in developmental biology, Anne McLaren helped develop the methods that would allow human in vitro fertilization. Image: PA Images / ...

Rosalind Franklin

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s DNA day, and we’re celebrating the life and work of Rosalind Franklin, who helped discover the molecular structure of DNA, RNA, and even viru...

Emmanuelle Charpentier

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Emmanuelle Charpentier is a Nobel Prize winning microbiologist who helped create CRISPR/Cas9. Image: Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED) Sources and addit...

Jennifer Doudna

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute since 1997, Dr. Jennifer Doudna has been responsible for bettering our understanding of the fun...

Joan Brennecke

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today is Earth Day, and we’re celebrating the work of Dr. Joan Brennecke, who is researching ways to use ionic liquids to develop green processes. ...

Alice Larkin

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As a climate researcher, Dr. Alice Larkin is connecting her academic research to policies in various areas to help deal with a changing planet. Imag...

Shannon Seneca

20 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by visiting the former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons production facility, Shannon Seneca became an engineer and now works to improve the health...

Anne Glover

20 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Declared the 19th most powerful women in the United Kingdom by Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4 in February 2013, Dr. Anne Glover has been influencing sc...

Lucy Jones

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been over 100 years since a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit San Francisco, and “Earthquake Lady” Dr. Lucy Jones wants to make sure that people...

Tessy Thomas

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by the Apollo moon missions “missile woman” Tessy Thomas has always been fascinated with science and mathematics. Image: Wikimedia. S...

Patricia McConnell

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The former host of “Calling All Pets,” Dr. Patricia McConnell has written over 14 books on animal behavior. Image Courtesy of the University of W...

Janet Yellen

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While she wasn’t initially interested in economics, Janet Yellen has become a renowned expert in the field and also the first woman to become chair ...

Patience Mthunzi-Kufa

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With a background in both biology and physics, Dr. Patience Mthunzi-Kufa is poised to make big discoveries in the fields of biophotonics and disease e...

Maria Sibylla Merian

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The guild rules of Europe during her lifetime did not allow women to paint with oils, but that didn’t stop Maria Sibylla Merian from creating scient...

Nadya Mason

13 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Nadya Mason solved math problems for fun growing up before pursuing her career in quantum physics. Image Courtesy of University of Illinois Urban...

Summer Ash

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An astrophysicist and science communicator, Summer Ash loves to share her love of the universe. Image Via LinkedIn. Sources and additional reading a...

Amy Mainzer

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Astronomer Amy Mainzer searches for near earth objects with her work at NASA, and helps kids learn to love science with her work on Ready, Jet, Go. I...

Carolyn Shoemaker

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today is our 100th episode, and we’re featuring the woman who has discovered a record number of comets, Carolyn Shoemaker. Image: Wikimedia Source...

Yi So-Yeon

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sixteen years ago today, Yi So-Yeon became the first Korean astronaut to travel to space. Image: Wikimedia Sources and additional reading are availa...

Emily Rice

07 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Emily Rice is an astrophysicist and a fashion blogger, one of the founders of STARtorialist. Image Courtesy of STARtorialist. Sources and additi...

Rebecca Oppenheimer

07 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Over 1,000 planetary systems have been discovered outside our own, and scientists like Dr. Rebecca Oppenheimer are working to find new ways to see the...

Henrietta Swan Leavitt

06 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hired at the Harvard College Observatory in 1893, astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt was one of Pickering’s Computers, women hired to complete calcul...

Williamina Fleming

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With no formal training in astronomy, Williamina Fleming’s contributions to the field are numerous and groundbreaking. Image: Wikimedia Sources a...

Jane Goodall

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Conservationist and activist Jane Goodall has studied primates in the Gombe National Park in Tanzania since the 1960s and her work has fundamentally c...

Temple Grandin

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today is World Autism Day and we would like to introduce you to Dr. Temple Grandin who is not only an expert at designing cattle management facilities...

Samantha Carter

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s April 1st, 2024 and we’d like you to meet astrophysics, pilot, and USAF Colonel Samantha Carter. Image: Stargate Command (MGM Television) S...

Anandi Gopal Joshi

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we meet the first Indian woman to study Western medicine, Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi. Image: Wikimedia. Sources and additional reading are avail...

Susan L. Solomon

31 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Before she was leading one of the top stem cell research laboratories, Susan L. Solomon , held an impressive array of positions including being an att...

Ruth Benerito

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you got dressed this morning, did you put on something cotton that you didn’t have to iron and it was still presentable? That modern convenienc...

Cornelia Bargmann

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Driven to become a scientist by a love of labs, the building of things with one’s own hands, and learning what no one else knows; neurobiologist Cor...

Alice Hamilton

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Alice Hamilton chose medicine so that she could “be of use anywhere.” She used her skills to help usher in sweeping changes in worker’s safety t...

Euphemia Lofton Haynes

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This native of the United States capitol had a life devoted to service in the fields of education and social reform. Image Courtesy of Catholic Unive...

Ellen Stofan

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

To celebrate the discovery of Saturn’s moon Titan, we will meet a former Chief NASA Scientist who had the radical idea to explore Titan – by boat!...

Tess Russo

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Different areas of the world face a variety of problems with their water supplies, and hydrogeologists like Tess Russo are trying to solve them. Imag...

Emmy Noether

24 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re celebrating the birthday of a woman that Einstein called a “creative mathematical genius,” Emmy Noether. Image: Wikimedia. Sources...

Kathryn “Kitty” Hach Darrow

23 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For World Water Day, we’re learning about a woman who helped use chemistry to bring clean water to the world. Image: Wikimedia. Sources and additi...

Antonia Maury

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Antonia Maury was one of the Harvard “computers,” women who were pioneers in astronomy. Image: Wikimedia. Sources and additional reading are ava...

Maude Leonora Menten

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we celebrate one of the first female doctors born in Canada was also a pioneer in enzyme kinetics and histochemistry, Maud Leonora Menten. Imag...

Rachel Wilkins Patel

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In an effort to use her diverse skill set, Rachel Wilkins Patel founded HER Ideas In Motion to help inspire the next generation. Image Courtesy of HE...

Susana Martinez-Conde

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On most days, neuroscientist Susana Martinez-Conde works with other scientists. On others, she’s teaming up with magicians and sleight of hand expe...

Katherine Fitzgerald

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Fitzgerald and her team are working to understand how dysregulation of innate immunity underlies the pathogenesis of infectious, inflammatory and ...

Caroline Herschel

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Herschel discovered eight comets, and was the first professional female astronomer. Image: Wikimedia. Sources and additional reading are av...

Sunetra Gupta

16 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Sunetra Gupta is an epidemiologist and a novelist, excelling in both science and art. Image: Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0 DEED) Sources and additional r...

Amy Rowat

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Pi Day, and to celebrate we’re introducing you to Dr. Amy Rowat, a UCLA professor who uses food to explain scientific principles. Image Cour...

Deborah Gordon

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Think ants are pests that you wish would just go away? Not so fast, Dr. Deborah Gordon thinks that we as humans have a lot to learn from these efficie...

Mary Jean Harrold

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mary Jean Harrold was a prolific software engineering researcher that promoted diversity in computer science fields, acting as a teacher and mentor to...

Margaret Oakley Dayhoff

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Margaret Oakley Dayhoff has been called the “mother and father of bioinformatics” as she was a pioneer of applying mathematics and computational m...

Sandrine Thuret

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists used to think that the adult brain didn’t change, but Dr. Sandrine Thuret has shown that new neurons are still formed. Image Courtesy of...

Linda Morabito

10 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

March 9th is the anniversary of the announcement of the first discovery of extraterrestrial volcanic activity by astronomer Linda Morabito. Image Cou...

Sylvia Wiegand

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Sylvia Wiegand has expanded a successful career in mathematics to also help promote other women working in math and academia. Image Courtesy of U...

Margaret Chan

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Margaret Chan has faced many challenges as the director-general of the World Health Organization. Image Courtesy of the World Economic Forum (CC ...

Michelle Buchanan

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michele Buchanan is hoping to change the world through her research into energy, and her work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Image Courtesy of ORN...

Lynn Margulis

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lynn Margulis’ first paper was rejected 15 times before it was finally published, but her theories of symbiogenesis made a huge impact. Image: Wiki...

Claire Voisin

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Claire Voisin is one of the world’s leading researchers in complex algebraic geometry. Image: Wikimedia Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreo...

Kitty O’Brien Joyner

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kitty O'Brien was the first female engineer hired by NACA, the predecessor of NASA. Image: Wikimedia Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nin...

Margaret Knight

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Margaret Knight nearly didn’t get credit for an invention that changed the world: the first machine made to create flat bottomed paper bags. Image:...