It’s the most wonderful time of the year to remember unsung heroes past and present who make scientific progress possible.
Throughout the year, we asked researchers who appeared in our Science Uncovered series to name their unsung heroes of science. From revolutionary mathematicians to supportive teachers, here are some of the inspiring answers we received.
‘It is incredibly difficult to name just one, as so many have paved the way’
– SUNDER ALI KHOWAJA
Frances Oldham Kelsey
UCD biotechnology researcher Aradhika Patnaik chose Frances Oldham Kelsey as her unsung hero of science.
Born in rural Canada in 1914, Kelsey earned a PhD in pharmacology at the University of Chicago and went on to work with the US Food and Drug Administration. During her tenure, she refused to approve the drug thalidomide for distribution in the US despite intense pressure to do so and is credited with preventing thousands of babies in the US from being born with severe birth defects.
“As someone with experience in data management and regulatory compliance, I deeply admire her courage and scientific judgment,” Patnaik said.
“She is a reminder that protecting public health often hinges on researchers who ask difficult questions and prioritise evidence over expedience.”
Kelsey was awarded the President’s Medal of Service by president John F Kennedy for her work. She died in 2015 at the age of 101.
Évariste Galois
A French mathematician born in 1811, Évariste Galois made significant contributions to algebra, specifically group theory, which is important for geometry, physics and chemistry. NCI’s Horacio González-Vélez described Galois as “a tragic genius whose brief but explosive life reshaped the foundations of modern mathematics”.
“Galois essentially birthed group theory, a field that now underpins everything from cryptography to particle physics,” said González-Vélez.
“Yet, his brilliance was met with rejection and misunderstanding. His papers were dismissed as ‘incomprehensible’ and his revolutionary ideas languished in obscurity for years.”
Galois was an outspoken republican who was imprisoned for his beliefs. His death at just 20 is still shrouded in mystery.
“The night before his fateful duel, convinced he would not survive, he feverishly scribbled his mathematical testament,” González-Vélez explained, “a dense, visionary letter that would later be hailed as one of the most profound works in the history of mathematics.
“‘I have no time,’ he lamented, as he tried to condense the essence of his discoveries into a few pages. Shot and abandoned in a field, he died the next morning, leaving behind a legacy that was nearly lost to history.”
It would be more than a decade before Galois’ work was published and later still before its significance was acknowledged.
“Today, Galois theory is a cornerstone of algebra, yet his name remains unfamiliar to many outside mathematics. He was not just a prodigy but a tragic figure whose untimely death robbed the world of a mind that had only begun to explore its potential.”
Richard Feynman
Two of our featured researchers chose American theoretical physicist Richard Feynman as their unsung hero of science.
A Nobel Prize winner, Feynman, who was born in New York in 1918, introduced Feynman diagrams, revolutionising particle physics. His work on quantum electrodynamics – the theory of the interaction between light and matter – altered the way science understands the nature of waves and particles.
“Feynman is famous, of course, but what is ‘unsung’ is the profound value of his specific way of thinking,” said DCU’s Sunder Ali Khowaja.
For Khowaja, Fenyman’s guiding principle, which he summarises as ‘What I cannot create, I do not understand’, is fundamental to his AI research. “We are trying to build and create intelligence, not just theorise about it.
“[Fenyman’s] relentless curiosity and his insistence on breaking down the most complex ideas to their simple, fundamental parts is a timeless inspiration.”
For ATU’s William Farrelly, Feynman’s ability “to explain complex physics with clarity, enthusiasm and passion” has inspired his lecturing career.
“He was an extraordinary teacher and was fearless in the pursuit of knowledge and truth.”
The Feynman Lectures on Physics are available online here.
It takes a village
Many researchers wanted to recognise the significant impact of the patients and public contributors for their research.
“They’re not usually described as ‘scientists’,” Eimear Morrissey said, “but they ask the clearest questions, challenge assumptions and point out things researchers can easily miss.”
The University of Galway health psychologist said that their “perspectives keep our work grounded and remind us what clinical research is ultimately meant to do”.
Similarly, for TUS’ Jennifer Fitzpatrick, having a patient advisory group involved in her research helped guide her project. “It also allows for the continuous reminder of the real-world impact of this research on young people who have had cancer, and how this research can positively impact their lives, and not just academic metrics,” she said.
UCD’s Luis F Iglesias-Martinez said that patients “make the discoveries and treatment improvements possible”.
“Often, they do so knowing that their involvement might not benefit them directly, but it will make a difference for other patients in the future. I am not sure of anything more heroic than that.”
And virologist Connor Bamford from Queen’s University Belfast said it can be challenging to give the patients you work with “the credit they deserve”.
He also wanted to recognise students as another often-unacknowledged cohort in the research process.
Another researcher who wanted to highlight the behind-the-scenes work of research is TUD’s Furong Tian. She said that the work of technical professionals underpins every stage of the research process.
“They bring hands-on skills and deep technical knowledge that make research possible and allow innovation to flourish. Yet despite their central role, technical professionals often face challenges around visibility, recognition and career progression,” she said.
She singled out for recognition the technical team at TUD’s School of Food Science and Environmental Health. “Our senior technical officer, Plunkett Clarke, and technical professionals Jyothi Nair, Noel Grace, Anthony Hutchinson and Gisele De Campos Pinto are integral to our research and teaching environment. Their contributions are not only technical but foundational to the success, safety and sustainability of our work.
“Recognising and supporting technical professionals is not just the right thing to do – it’s essential to the future of science.”
Similarly, Norah O’Shea from Teagasc wanted to highlight the work of the research operations team, technicians and technologists in the lab.
“Their names don’t always appear on publications or public engagement materials, but their work is essential to everything we do,” she said.
We all need a little help sometimes
Several researchers singled out teachers, mentors, family members and communities that have helped them in their journey to academic success.
TCD’s Hannah Cleary chose her secondary school biology teacher Mrs Greene.
“She wasn’t in a lab developing new drugs or publishing in high impact journals, but she sparked a love of science that started my career,” Cleary said.
“Her enthusiasm made science feel creative and human, not distant or intimidating.
“I think teachers like her are the quiet catalysts behind every scientific discovery, lighting the spark for the next generation of researchers.”
And SETU’s Somayeh Mahdikhani singled out her PhD supervisor for recognition. Julita Sansoni, a professor at Sapienza Università di Roma, is a pioneer in the field of nursing science, Mahdikhani said.
“Her research in chronic pain, Alzheimer’s caregiving and health literacy has significantly shaped how we think about compassionate, holistic and patient-centred care.
“Despite her many achievements, she leads with humility and grace, never seeking recognition, yet profoundly impacting her students, colleagues and the broader healthcare community.
“I’m proud to call her my mentor and my friend and I carry her influence with me in all of my work.”
And, finally, UCC’s Yensi Flores Bueso said this question made her think about her roots. When studying in her native Honduras, the biologist learned a huge amount from indigenous farmers, who have a deep understanding of plants, soil and the environment.
“This traditional knowledge is still a crucial part of our food systems today, but too often, it’s not properly acknowledged,” Bueso said.
“These unsung heroes, from indigenous farmers to cultural knowledge holders, have made vital contributions to science and society – and we need to fairly attribute their contributions.”
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