Marie Curie: the Great Lady of Science

The event for the Celebration of Women's Day, entitled "Marie Curie: the Great Lady of Science", took place with great success on Saturday, March 10, 2012, in the evening, in the crowded auditorium of the Science and Technology Museum of the University of Patras. The Celebration of Women's Day was the main event of the "Marie Curie 1867-1934" exhibition and was co-organized by the Science and Technology Museum of the University of Patras and the French Institute of Patras.

The event was opened by the Dean of the School of Natural Sciences of the University of Patras, Professor of the Department of Chemistry Mr. Christos Kordoulis followed by greetings from the Director of the Science and Technology Museum and President of the Department of Physics, Prof. Evangelos Vitoratos, the Director of the French Institute of Patras, Mrs. Georgia Petropoulou-Conan, the Deputy Mayor - Deputy Mayor for Administration, Human Resources and Deputy Mayor for Municipal Affairs of Rio Mr. Konstantinos Bourdoulis, the President of the Hellenic Association of Women with Breast Cancer of the Prefecture of Achaia “Alma Zois", Mrs. Liolio Kolipera, Member of the Board of the Group of Volunteers against Cancer of the Prefecture of Achaia "Agaliazo (Embrace)", Mrs. Adamantia Dimopoulou-Klambanisti.

The main part of the event began with the speech 'Madame Curie-Her life and work' which was illuminated with photographs and videos of the life and work of Marie Curie, by the graduate student of the Department of Chemistry of Piperigo Zoe and the working group of undergraduate students of the Department of Chemistry, Andriopoulou Chrysanthi, Vassiliadou Sofia, Georgopoulou Marita, Giannoulea Georgia, Zisimopoulou Danai, Liarou Evelina, Christopoulou Spyridoula. Then the Associate Professor, of the Laboratory of Medical Physics of the Department of Medicine, Ms. Kostaridou Eleni, in her speech 'The importance of Maria Curie's research in the treatment of cancer', was presented in a simple and understandable way for the general public, Marie Curie’s discoveries contributed to the treatment of cancer, some of which are still used today. Finally, the Assistant Professor of the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products (LPCNP) of the Department of Pharmacy the award winner of the L’Oréal-UNESCO Prize for Life Sciences, in 2011, Ms. Lamari Fotini, in her speech 'The woman in science today', presented her experience as a woman in science today.

The event ended with a concert -Kind Offer- by the Duo "Belle Epoque" consisting of Maria Economou (voice) & Eleni Tseki (accordion). The duo "Belle Epoque"  presented in an exceptional way well-known French songs, such as La valse d’Amélie, Sous le ciel de Paris, La vie en rose, Padam padam, etc.

The event closed with the local drink Tentura, courtesy of the Tentura Castro Company, accompanied by nuts courtesy of the Sideris Nuts store and sweets, courtesy of the Edelweiss patisseries, while attendees were guided to the temporary exhibition "Marie Curie 1867-1934" and the STM.

The event was also attended by the former Rector of the University of Patras Prof. Stavros Koumbias, the Consul of France Mrs. Christina Defteraiou, the Consul of Switzerland Mrs. Mitropoulou, the Member of Parliament for Achaia Mrs. Maria Kyriakopoulou, the Director of Secondary Education of the Prefecture of Achaia Mrs. E.Pierri, the French Language Advisor of Western Greece Mrs. Eleni Hantziou-Sagnier, the President of the Polish Community of Western Greece Ms. Xenia Tsitsara, representatives and members of women's associations, members of the University community, many educators and crowds of people.