March 3, 1917 – Birth of Sameera Moussa: “My wish is that nuclear cancer treatment be as affordable and cheap as aspirin”

Sameera Moussa

He graduated with honors in 1939 in radiology after investigating the effects of X-rays on various materials. With the help of the dean of the faculty, Dr. Moustafa Mousharafa, she was hired as a professor, becoming the first woman to obtain a teaching position at the university and a doctorate in atomic radiation.

X-ray technology is credited to German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen, who studied this particular electromagnetic radiation and which was quickly adopted by doctors 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 the nuclear treatment for cancer be 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, inexpensively. She thus achieved a medical use of nuclear technology that was affordable for everyone.

He helped organize the Atomic Energy for Peace Conference in London and promoted a call to establish an international conference under the banner “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 in which he was traveling fell from a height of about 12 meters and he died on the spot. He was 35 years old.

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

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