Rita Levi-Montalcini
Rita Levi-Montalcini: A Pioneering Neuroscientist
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Rita Levi-Montalcini was born on April 22, 1909, in Turin, Italy. Her full name is Rita Anna Maria Laura Montalcini.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: April 22, 1909
Died: December 30, 2012, at the age of 103
Nationality and Profession(s)
Rita Levi-Montalcini was an Italian-American neuroscientist. She is best known for her groundbreaking work on nerve growth factor (NGF) and its role in cell growth and development.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family that valued education, Rita's parents encouraged her to pursue her interests in science and mathematics. Despite facing initial resistance from her father, who wanted her to study literature or music, she eventually earned her degree in medicine at the University of Turin in 1936. However, due to the rise of fascism in Italy, Levi-Montalcini was forced to leave academia and continue her research in secret.
Major Accomplishments
Levi-Montalcini's most significant contribution to science is her discovery of nerve growth factor (NGF) with Stanley Cohen. NGF is a protein that promotes the growth and maintenance of neurons, playing a crucial role in development, learning, and memory. This discovery led to a deeper understanding of neural function and paved the way for the development of new treatments for neurological disorders.
Notable Works or Actions
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Research: Levi-Montalcini's work on NGF revolutionized the field of neuroscience, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying neural growth and maintenance.
Escape from Italy to the United States: In 1938, Levi-Montalcini fled her home country due to the anti-Semitic laws introduced by Mussolini. She eventually settled in the United States, where she continued her research at Washington University in St. Louis.
Impact and Legacy
Rita Levi-Montalcini's groundbreaking work on NGF has had a lasting impact on our understanding of neural function and development. Her discovery also opened up new avenues for the treatment of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In addition to her scientific contributions, she was a vocal advocate for women in science and a champion of education.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Levi-Montalcini is widely quoted and remembered for her insights on the importance of pursuing one's passion and staying committed to scientific inquiry. Her determination and perseverance in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to scientists and researchers around the world.
Quotes by Rita Levi-Montalcini
I should thank Mussolini for having declared me to be of an inferior race. This led me to the joy of working, not any more, unfortunately, in university institutes but in a bedroom.
At 100, I have a mind that is superior – thanks to experience- than when i was 20.
Find first peace within yourself. Don’t eat too much. Keep your brain active. Love.
If I die tomorrow or in a year, it is the same – it is the message you leave behind you that counts.
If I die tomorrow or in a year, it is the same — it is the message you leave behind you that counts.
After a short period spent in Brussels as a guest of a neurological institute, I returned to Turin on the verge of the invasion of Belgium by the German army, Spring 1940, to join my family. The two alternatives left then to us were either to emigrate to the United States, or to pursue some activity that needed neither support nor connection with the outside Aryan world where we lived. My family chose this second alternative. I then decided to build a small research unit at home and installed it in my bedroom.
Find first peace within yourself. Don't eat too much. Keep your brain active. Love.