March 09

David Fabricius was born in 1564 in Esens, East Frisia, and trained as a Lutheran pastor. He pursued scientific interests, studying astronomy under his son Johannes Fabricius. In 1610, they jointly discovered sunspots using one of the first telescopic observations. Fabricius published meteorological and astronomical treatises that influenced later scientists. He also produced detailed maps of East Frisia and wrote theological works. Fabricius' interdisciplinary approach exemplified the early modern union of faith and science. He passed away in 1617 after a distinguished career in both theology and astronomy.

Franz Joseph Gall was born in 1758 in Tiefenbronn, Germany, and studied medicine at the University of Strasbourg. He developed the theory of organology, later known as phrenology, proposing that brain regions corresponded to specific mental faculties. Gall conducted detailed examinations of skull shapes to infer character traits, pioneering early neuroanatomy. His ideas sparked controversy but influenced later researchers in neuroscience and psychology. Gall traveled widely, lecturing across Europe and founding medical institutes. Although phrenology was eventually discredited, his emphasis on brain localization endured. He died in 1828 in Paris, leaving a complex scientific legacy.

Fritz Lenz was a German geneticist and physician whose work laid foundations for the field of population genetics. He conducted extensive research into human heredity and genetic inheritance patterns. Lenz became a prominent figure in early eugenics movements across Europe. He published influential studies on genetic variation and its impact on populations. His theories were both celebrated in scientific circles and criticized for ethical implications. Lenz continued his academic work through significant political changes in Germany.

Born on March 9, 1923 in Vienna, Austria, Kohn fled the Nazis via the Kindertransport to England, later moving to Canada. He earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Harvard University in 1950 and joined the faculty at the University of California, San Diego. Kohn developed density functional theory, a method for calculating electronic structures of atoms and molecules. His work revolutionized quantum chemistry and solid-state physics, enabling accurate predictions of material properties. In 1998, he shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with John Pople for their contributions to computational methods. Kohn continued teaching and research until his death on April 19, 2016, and his theory remains fundamental in modern science.

Gerald Bull was an innovative artillery engineer and ballistics researcher who founded the High Altitude Research Project (HARP) to study long-range projectile technology. He designed the groundbreaking GC-45 howitzer, significantly improving artillery accuracy and range. Bull later worked on 'Project Babylon' superguns for international clients, aiming to launch satellites using massive artillery pieces. His career was marked by controversy due to the military applications of his work and collaborations with foreign governments. He held academic positions in Canada and Europe, publishing extensively on fluid dynamics and exterior ballistics. Bull's life ended under mysterious circumstances in 1990, fueling speculation about his assassination.

Qayyum Chowdhury was a leading Bangladeshi painter celebrated for his colorful landscapes, abstract compositions, and evocative illustrations. As a professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, he mentored generations of artists and helped shape modern art education in Bangladesh. Chowdhury's magazine cover designs, notably for Sher-e-Bangla and other publications, became iconic in the country's visual culture. He played key roles in national art institutions, including serving as chairman of the National Gallery Bangladesh. His work earned him prestigious awards like the Ekushey Padak for his lifetime contributions to the arts. Chowdhury's legacy endures in his enduring artworks and influence on Bangladeshi art movements.

David Weatherall was a renowned English physician and geneticist whose pioneering work transformed the study of blood diseases. He combined clinical practice with molecular research to uncover the genetic mechanisms behind conditions like thalassemia. As Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Oxford, he led the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine and mentored future generations of scientists. His extensive publications and leadership roles helped establish molecular medicine as a key field in healthcare. Knighted for his contributions, he received numerous international awards and honors. Weatherall's legacy endures in the countless patients who benefit from his research-driven advances in hematology. He passed away in 2018.

Andrew Viterbi is an American electrical engineer whose innovations have shaped modern wireless communications. In 1985, he co-founded Qualcomm Inc., pioneering technologies that power mobile networks worldwide. He developed the Viterbi algorithm, a cornerstone of error-correcting codes used in data transmission. Viterbi's leadership at Qualcomm fueled the growth of CDMA technology and the global spread of cellular connectivity. An academic at heart, he has held faculty positions at leading universities and mentored future engineers. His contributions have earned him multiple awards and membership in national academies. Viterbi continues to influence the tech industry through research and philanthropy.

Józef Pinior studied social sciences and began his career as a university lecturer in Poland. He became active in the Solidarity trade union during the 1980s, advocating for democratic reforms. Following the fall of communism, Pinior was elected to the Polish Senate in 1989. He served multiple terms, focusing on labor rights and higher education policy. Pinior has published articles on economic transformation and social justice. He remains a prominent voice in discussions on democracy and human rights in Poland.

David Willetts studied philosophy, politics, and economics at the University of Oxford. He was elected Member of Parliament for Havant in 1992, serving until 2015. Willetts held ministerial roles including Paymaster General and Minister for Universities and Science. As universities minister from 2010 to 2014, he championed higher education reform and research funding. An author and public policy expert, he has written on demographics and intergenerational fairness. After leaving parliament, he became a visiting fellow at think tanks and higher education organizations.

Born in 1959, Takaaki Kajita began his career studying cosmic rays and went on to lead the Super-Kamiokande experiment. His team discovered neutrino oscillations, proving that neutrinos have mass and solving the solar neutrino problem. This breakthrough earned him the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics. Kajita's work has had profound implications for particle physics and our understanding of the universe. He continues to teach and conduct research on neutrino properties at the University of Tokyo.