Rita Levi-Montalcini

22 April 1909 – 30 December 2012

Rita Levi-Montalcini was an Italian neurologist who, with Stanley Cohen, discovered nerve growth factor (NGF), a key protein regulating the growth of nerve cells. For this work she shared the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. She pursued her early research in secret during Fascist persecution of Jews and later became an Italian senator for life.

Comparing
Compare

Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Rita Levi-Montalcini.

Life events

Born in Turin, Italy
22 April 1909

Born into a Jewish family as one of twin sisters.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Graduated in medicine from the University of Turin
1936

Earned her medical degree and specialized in neurology and psychiatry.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Conducted secret research during wartime persecution
1940 – 1943

Barred from academia by Fascist racial laws, she studied nerve development in a home laboratory.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Joined Washington University in St. Louis
1947

Moved to the United States to work with Viktor Hamburger.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Discovered nerve growth factor
1952

Identified NGF, with biochemist Stanley Cohen isolating the protein.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
1986

Shared the prize with Stanley Cohen for the discovery of growth factors.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Appointed Senator for Life of Italy
2001

Named a lifetime member of the Italian Senate for scientific and social achievement.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died in Rome, Italy
30 December 2012

Died at the age of 103, the first Nobel laureate to reach that age.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓