London: Nobel Prize-winning nuclear physicist Marie Curie, who discovered that radiation therapy could treat cancer, has been voted the greatest woman scientist of all time.
The Polish-born researcher bagged over 25.1%, almost double the votes received by her nearest rival Rosalind Franklin 14.2%, the English biophysicist who helped discover the structure of DNA.
Third on the list was Hypatia of Alexandria, played by Rachel Weisz in a recent film about the fourth century Egyptian philosopher.
New Scientist magazine conducted the poll of 800
scientists and members of the public, which was commissioned by cosmetics company L’Oreal.
“The poll indicates the vital need to celebrate and raise awareness of the many female scientists who have shaped modern science since Marie Curie - and who are making a bigger contribution than ever,” the Telegraph quoted Dr Roger Highfield, the editor of New Scientist magazine, as saying.
Grita Loebsack, of L’Oreal said: “Women are at the forefront of advances in many scientific disciplines, particularly in health and life sciences. The aim of the poll was to celebrate the contribution women who have made considerable contribution to scientific research.”
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