Marie Curie, a pioneer in the field of radiochemistry, was the first woman to have ever won a Nobel Prize, the first person to have won it twice, and the only person to have ever won it twice for contributions to two scientific fields — Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 alongside Pierre Curie and Henry Becquerel for their research on radioactivity, and Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for her discovery of the radioactive elements radium and polonium. Modern treatment of cancer would not have been possible without her contribution.
She was known to have been determined (to the point of being obsessed) with isolating radium. Her poor social skills, love for freedom, passion for science, conviction in and fascination with her research, and attention to detail deeply suggested that she was different from others. However, during those days, if you were quirky, you were just quirky! The knowledge and awareness of technical terms around neurological conditions were almost non-existent.
Today, scientists believe that Marie Curie very likely had asperger’s syndrome — a condition that falls under the spectrum of autism. Some say that she may also have had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Although many other scientists have contributed to modern radiotherapy treatment of cancer, Marie Curie’s role in it was extremely vital. Can you imagine what a world without Marie Curie would be like? What would be the stance of cancer treatment today without her discoveries?
Every human brain is different. According to a 2018 study at the University of Zurich, published in Scientific Reports, no two human brains can be the same. The MRI study showed that the brains of identical twins were also different and unique.
Then why don't we celebrate and explore the diversity and uniqueness of the human brain? Why do we want everyone to be "normal"? What is “normal”, anyway?
The term neurodiversity was coined by Australian sociologist Judy Singer in 1990. It is used to denote the limitless possibilities of human cognitive ability — the diverse ways in which human brains work.
However, the goal of creating the term was to handle the stigma associated with neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, sensory processing disorder (SPD), tourette syndrome, etc. — conditions that need to be explored and cultivated, not “cured”.
Science is an amalgamation of logical thinking and creativity. The ability to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions can give way to some incredible scientific discoveries. The power of unlimited imagination and acute observation in a scientist must never be underestimated. How can we forget the story of an apple falling from a tree leading to the discovery of gravity (yes, Sir Isaac Newton too was known for his idiosyncrasy and was suspected to have severe ADHD!)?
Autism comes with conditions such as identifying patterns, paying attention to detail, and thinking logically and uniquely — qualities that are crucial for scientific research. Intuitive, creative, and passionate ADHDers are known for their ability to take risks and hyperfocus on things their brains find interesting — another set of qualities that can lead to wonders in the advancement of scientific research if utilized in the right way.
The idea of fitting into a box is impossible for neurodivergent individuals because the box itself is non-existent for them. And precisely, the ability to think and process things differently can “spark innovation” according to Holden Thorp, a professor of chemistry and medicine at George Washington University and the editor-in-chief of Science magazine. He was diagnosed with autism in his adulthood.
The world has already witnessed the excellence of a lot of neurodivergent scientists.
Albert Einstein needs no introduction. Reports say that this science genius (yet another Nobel laureate) was forgetful, disorganized, and socially awkward. Although he loved mathematics and science, he struggled with spelling and grammar; he struggled with tying shoelaces. Modern-day researchers suspect that he had a combination of asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia.
Wiring of the brain should never be called a mental illness — without a variety of wiring the world would be such a boring place! Some incredible people could help change the world only because they refused to conform. They explored who they were and what good they could bring to the table with their unique qualities.
Inclusivity is the ultimate goal — when it comes to science, all scientists must be known for the impact of their work, irrespective of how their brains are wired.
The severity of certain symptoms can indeed be an obstacle. However, with proper accommodation, understanding, support, and treatment, these symptoms can be managed to a great extent.
And then, who knows, your “disability” could ultimately prove to be your superpower!
References:
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6. L.W. Fink, J. (2022, September). Neurodiversity in the Lab. The Physiologist Magazine. https://www.physiology.org/publications/news/the-physiologist-magazine/2022/september/neurodiversity-in-the-lab?SSO=Y
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8. White, H. (2019, March 5). The Creativity of ADHD. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-creativity-of-adhd/
9. University of York. (n.d.). Isaac Newton’s apple tree. University of York. Retrieved May 9, 2024, from https://www.york.ac.uk/physics-engineering-technology/about/newtons-apple-tree/
10. Tsai, S. J. (2022, July 8). Top 17 famous scientists with ADHD that you may not know. SCI Journal. https://www.scijournal.org/articles/famous-scientists-with-adhd
11. December. (2019, December 20). Was Albert Einstein Autistic, Dyslexic, Dyspraxic or have ADHD? Exceptional Individuals. https://exceptionalindividuals.com/about-us/blog/did-einstein-have-dyslexia-dyspraxia-autism-and-adhd/
12. Karpinski, R. I., Kinase Kolb, A. M., Tetreault, N. A., & Borowski, T. B. (2018). High intelligence: A risk factor for psychological and physiological overexcitabilities. Intelligence, 66, 8–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2017.09.001 Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
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