Rita Levi-Montalcini

Rita Levi-Montalcini
Subjects: Science

Description:

During a time of unrest throughout the world, Rita Levi-Montalcini challenged the face of adversity and achieved great status as a world-renown scientist. Rita, a half-Italian and half-Jewish woman, defied her father’s wishes to become a typical wife and mother. She graduated medical school and began her research and experimentation with the Brussels Neurological Institute during the time of World War II. Rita’s perseverance would eventually lead her to her discovery with colleague Stanley Cohen of the Nerve Growth Factor for which she was awarded several remarkable awards including the Nobel Prize. Rita has been honored many times as a famous Italian woman who has influenced many women in the area of science. In this lesson, students will have an opportunity to experiment in simulated nerve growth activities.

View Lesson Plan PDF

https://www.njitalianheritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Rita-Levi-Montalcini.pdf