Short Wave A Tale Of Two Bengali Physicists
Mar 18, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Shohini Ghose, a quantum physicist and author, shares her mission to highlight overlooked female scientists who shaped physics. She reflects on her own educational journey, encountering a male-dominated narrative, and underscores the pioneering contributions of Bengali women like Biba Chaudhary. Ghose emphasizes the need for recognition of women's roles in science, particularly during critical moments like the moon landings, while advocating for a more inclusive future in academia.
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Navajo Women in Tech
- Shohini Ghose discovered the history of Navajo women producing computer chips for Fairchild Semiconductor.
- These women, despite being viewed as unskilled labor, significantly reduced chip failure rates for projects like the moon landings.
A Shared Heritage
- Shohini Ghose's book, Her Space, Her Time, highlights women scientists like Bibha Chowdhuri.
- Chowdhuri, a Bengali physicist, grew up in the same city as Ghose and became a role model for her.
Parallel Lives
- Bibha Chowdhuri and Shohini Ghose shared Bengali heritage, a love for physics, and schooling in Kolkata.
- Both were encouraged to pursue academics, but Chowdhuri worked during British rule with limited funding for Indian scientists.
