The Brilliant Italian Women Scientists Who Made History
When it comes to science, even today people may mistakenly imagine only a male figure. For a long time, in fact, women’s contributions to scientific research have been less widely reported and valued than those of men.
Yet Italian history is full of women scientists who have made a fundamental contribution to research, innovation, and the popularization of science.
February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, established in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly to promote equal access to scientific opportunities and raise awareness about the gender gap in STEM—that is, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
It is therefore also an opportunity to honor some of the famous Italian women scientists who have made history and who can still serve as role models for future generations today.
Rita Levi Montalcini
Rita Levi Montalcini is certainly one of the most famous Italian scientists.
A physician, researcher, and neurologist, she has devoted much of her life to the study of the nervous system. In the 1950s, through her research, she discovered and identified nerve growth factor (NGF), a discovery that was fundamental to our understanding of the development and growth of nerve cells.
For this work, he received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1986, which he shared with Stanley Cohen.
Rita Levi Montalcini was also the first woman admitted to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and, in recognition of her scientific and social achievements, she was appointed a senator for life of the Italian Republic.
Margherita Hack
Another famous Italian scientist is Margherita Hack, one of Italy’s best-known astrophysicists.
She devoted her career to the study of astronomy and astrophysics, becoming particularly well known for her research on stellar spectra.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated with leading international research groups and participated in ESA and NASA working groups. She has also contributed to Italian research in the field of satellites, earning her the nickname“Lady of the Stars.”
Margherita Hack was not only an incredible scientist, but also a great science communicator, capable of making science accessible to everyone.
Laura Bassi
Among the Italian women scientists who were ahead of their time is Laura Bassi.
Born in Bologna in 1711, she earned her degree in philosophy in 1732. She was one of the first women to earn a university degree and, above all, the first woman in the world to be appointed to a university chair in the same subject in which she had earned her degree.
He subsequently devoted himself to experimental physics, and in 1766 he was appointed to a professorship in that discipline at the University of Bologna.
Her story is particularly significant because it took place at a time when women’s access to higher education and academic careers was severely limited.
Elena Lucrezia Cornaro
Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia is another key figure in the history of Italian women scientists and women’s education.
Born in Venice in 1646, she devoted herself from a young age to the study of numerous disciplines, including mathematics, philosophy, Greek, Latin, and theology.
In 1678, she thus became the first woman in history to earn a doctorate, an extraordinary achievement for that time.
Samantha Cristoforetti
The history of famous Italian women scientists is not limited to the past. Among today’s leading figures is Samantha Cristoforetti, an Italian astronaut with the European Space Agency.
Born in Milan in 1977, she began her career as a military pilot and later earned a degree in aeronautical science.
She was the first Italian female astronaut to go on a spaceflight and the first European woman to serve as commander of the International Space Station.
Her experience serves as an important example for young women interested in science and technology and demonstrates how opportunities in the STEM field can lead to international and highly specialized career paths.
Why is it important to talk about women in science?
The stories of these women scientists are very different from one another, but they have one thing in common: they contributed to scientific knowledge during a time when it was often more difficult for women to gain access to universities, research, and scientific institutions.
Even today, the issue of gender equality in the world of science remains important. According to the 2022–2023 UNESCO report, women account for about 33% of researchers worldwide.
Sharing the stories of Rita Levi Montalcini, Margherita Hack, Laura Bassi, Elena Lucrezia Cornaro, and Samantha Cristoforetti means not only honoring some of Italy’s most famous female scientists, but also showing new generations that scientific research has no gender.
Studying and Working in STEM Fields
The presence of female role models can also be important in encouraging girls to pursue academic and career paths in STEM fields.
In Italy, there are numerous universities that offer degree programs and research opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Among the Italian universities that are promoting initiatives to encourage young women to enroll in STEM degree programs are:
- Politecnico di Milano: offers 28 scholarships of €24,000 for girls who choose to matriculate in an engineering course (automation, electrical, computer science, etc.).
- La Sapienza University of Rome: Since 2021, it has launched the project “100 Girls in STEM” project, which awards 100 scholarships worth €3,255 each to encourage female enrollment in science programs.
- “Women in STEM” Scholarship: Awarded by the Giuseppina Mai Foundation, this scholarship provides €3,000 to female students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement during their first year of studies in the sciences.
- Government scholarships: the Italian government provides funding for international students, with specific programs for STEM disciplines.
Studying STEM in Italy
If you are interested in starting or continuing your STEM career in Italy, Welcome Association Italy can help you organize all the necessary steps. On this page you can find useful directions for arriving in Italy and starting your studies: from choosing a university, to applying for a residence permit, to obtaining health coverage.
If you need more information you can contact Welcome Association Italy support.
