December 11

Heo Mok (1595–1682) was a leading scholar-official of Korea’s Joseon dynasty who excelled in Neo-Confucian studies. He passed the highest state examinations at a young age and held various high-ranking posts, including Right State Councillor. A gifted poet and essayist, his literary works blended moral philosophy with elegant classical Chinese style. He actively engaged in political debates during factional struggles, advocating for ethical governance and reform. Heo Mok founded private academies to educate young scholars and promote Neo-Confucian principles. His collected writings influenced later Korean intellectual thought and remain an important part of Korea’s literary heritage. He is remembered as both a statesman and a man of letters whose legacy endures in Korean culture.

Gian Domenico Romagnosi (1761–1835) was an Italian physicist, economist, and jurist whose interdisciplinary research bridged natural and social sciences. He served as a judge and legal scholar in Trento and Pavia, applying Enlightenment ideas to judicial reform. Romagnosi’s essays on political economy advocated for fiscal and administrative improvements in post-Napoleonic Europe. He conducted early experiments on electricity, making observations of electromagnetic effects before formal theories emerged. As a professor at the University of Pavia, he trained future jurists and economists in rationalist thought. His contributions to legal codification and economic policy influenced 19th-century Italian scholarship and governance. Romagnosi’s legacy is reflected in his wide-ranging work that advanced multiple academic disciplines.

David Brewster was a Scottish physicist, mathematician, and astronomer who made foundational contributions to the field of optics. He discovered Brewster's angle and advanced the understanding of light polarization. In 1817 he invented the kaleidoscope, which became a popular optical toy and scientific instrument. Brewster also conducted important research in spectroscopy and photography. He served as Principal of the University of St Andrews and was knighted by Queen Victoria. His extensive writings and experiments influenced the development of modern physical sciences.

Webster Paulson was an English civil engineer who spent much of his career in Malta, designing notable buildings and public works. Born in Sheffield, he joined the Maltese Public Works Department and contributed to projects such as the Royal Opera House and the aqueduct system. Paulson pioneered the use of prefabricated architectural elements and advanced construction techniques. His meticulous approach earned him respect among colleagues and clients. He also served as the chief engineer for several public infrastructure ventures. Paulson's legacy endures in Malta's architectural heritage.

Robert Koch was a pioneering German microbiologist and physician whose research established the scientific basis of bacteriology. He identified Bacillus anthracis as the cause of anthrax, discovered the tuberculosis bacillus in 1882, and later isolated Vibrio cholerae. Koch formulated and popularized his postulates, a set of criteria for linking specific microorganisms to diseases. His methods revolutionized medical science and public health. In 1905 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Koch founded the Berlin Institute for Infectious Diseases and trained a generation of scientists. His work laid the foundation for modern microbiology and disease control.

Annie Jump Cannon (1863–1941) was an American astronomer whose work revolutionized stellar classification. At Harvard College Observatory, she developed the Harvard Classification Scheme, organizing stars by their spectral types. She personally classified more than 350,000 stars, laying the foundation for modern astrophysics. Cannon was among the first women to hold a professional position in astronomy and received honors such as the Henry Draper Medal. Her dedication and precision made her a trailblazer for future generations of scientists.

Josip Plemelj (1873–1967) was a pioneering Slovenian mathematician and academic, often regarded as a founding figure of modern mathematics in Slovenia. He made significant contributions to the theory of integral equations and boundary value problems in complex analysis, including the formulation of the Sokhotski–Plemelj formula. Plemelj served as a professor at the University of Ljubljana, mentoring generations of students and helping to establish its mathematical faculty. His research laid groundwork for advances in mathematical physics and engineering. He remained active in scholarship throughout his long career, solidifying his legacy in European mathematics.

Max Born (1882–1970) was a German theoretical physicist and mathematician whose pioneering work laid the foundation for quantum mechanics. He introduced the probabilistic interpretation of the wave function—now known as the Born rule—and collaborated closely with luminaries like Albert Einstein and Werner Heisenberg. In 1954, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his fundamental research in quantum theory. Forced to emigrate from Nazi Germany, he continued his career in Cambridge and Edinburgh, mentoring a new generation of physicists. His textbooks and research papers remain cornerstones in the study of modern physics.

Born in Hangzhou in 1911, Qian Xuesen studied mechanical engineering at MIT and Caltech under Theodore von Kármán. He made key contributions to early US rocketry and missile programs before being accused of espionage and returning to China in 1955. In China, he founded the nation's ballistic missile and space program, leading to the launch of its first satellite. His pioneering research in aerodynamics and systems analysis laid the groundwork for decades of scientific advancement. Qian published numerous influential papers and mentored generations of engineers at the Institute of Mechanics. He received the Two Bombs, One Satellite Achievement Medal and remained a central figure in China's scientific establishment until his death in 2009.

Paul Greengard was a pioneering neuroscientist whose work revealed how neurotransmitters influence brain cell activity. He shared the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries in signal transduction in the nervous system. Greengard served as a professor at Rockefeller University and led the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience. His research laid the foundation for understanding neurological disorders and developing new therapies. He mentored generations of scientists and founded the Pearl Meister Greengard Prize to honor women in science. He passed away in 2019, leaving a profound impact on neuroscience and medicine.

Mazlan Othman earned her Ph.D. in astrophysics and became Malaysia's first woman scientist to travel to CERN. She founded the country's National Planetarium and promoted space science education throughout Southeast Asia. In 1999, she was appointed director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Othman worked to foster international cooperation on outer space regulations and peaceful uses of space technology. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing global dialogue on space exploration.

Guðlaugur Kristinn Óttarsson (born December 11, 1954) is an Icelandic guitarist, mathematician, and engineer. He emerged as a key figure in Iceland's post-punk and experimental music scene with the band Þeyr in the early 1980s. Óttarsson holds degrees in mathematics and engineering, which inform his avant-garde compositions and use of electronic sound processing. He has worked on theater and film scores and developed custom guitar effects. Known for his boundary-pushing approach, he continues to influence Icelandic and international experimental music.