California State University, Northridge

PRESS RELEASE

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January 29, 1997

Contact: Christina Marin or
Carmen Ramos Chandler,
(818) 677-2130
cmarin@exec.csun.edu

French Physicist Langevin-Joliot to Lecture at CSUN

Hlne Langevin-Joliot, granddaughter of Nobel Laureate Marie Curie, will give a lecture on Thursday, February 13, on her family and their contributions to science as part of the Distinguished Visiting Speakers Program at Cal State Northridge.

The lecture, "The Curies, Radioactivity, and Women in Science and Education", will include a history of radiochemistry and Langevin-Joliot's personal reflections as heir to the Curie family legacy.

Langevin-Joliot's parents, Irne and Frdric Joliot-Curie, were awarded the 1935 Nobel Prize in Physics for their contributions. Her grandparents, Marie and Pierre Curie, were jointly awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics. Marie Curie won a second Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for her discovery of the radioactive element Polonium.

Langevin-Joliot obtained her Ph.D. in nuclear physics and chemistry from the College de France at Paris. She serves as a scientific advisor to the French Parliament.

In addition to her work in science, Langevin-Joliot has been an outspoken advocate for the improvement of K-12 education, and in particular, the need to urge greater numbers of women to pursue careers in science.

The lecture will be at 1 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center in the University Student Union on the east side of the campus. Admission is free. Special event parking is available in Lot C (corner of Zelzah Ave. and Plummer St.) for $1.75.

For more information, contact Stan Metzenberg at (818) 677-3601.