August 5, 1952 – Death of Sameera Moussa: “My wish is that nuclear cancer treatment is as affordable and cheap as aspirin”

She graduated with honors in 1939 in radiology after investigating the effects of X-rays on various materials. With the help of the college's dean, Dr. Moustafa Mousharafa, she was hired as a professor, becoming the first woman to earn a university teaching position and a Ph.D. in atomic radiation.

X-ray technology was attributed to the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen, who studied this particular type of electromagnetic radiation. Doctors quickly adopted it to identify broken limbs and other ailments; however, the technology was still immature and incurred numerous costs. For this reason, Moussa, who was convinced of the benefits of nuclear energy: "My wish is that nuclear treatment against cancer is as affordable and cheap as aspirin", carried out an intense investigation, formulating a historical equation that would help to break atoms of metals, such as copper, in an inexpensive way. She thus achieved a medical use of nuclear technology that was affordable for everyone.

She helped organize the Atomic Energy for Peace Conference in London and promoted a call to establish an international conference under the theme “Atoms for Peace” to be held in the United States with President Dwight Eisenhower at the helm.

After his first visit to the United States, he intended to return home; however, he was invited on another trip. On the way, the car he was traveling in fell from a height of about 12 meters, and he died instantly. He was 35 years old.

If you want to know more about this scientist, click on the following link: Sameera Moussa