Top 10 Scientists: Where They Studied

Higher Real Gymnasium (Karlovac), Austrian Polytechnic (Graz)

Studied: Physics & Mathematics

Nikola Tesla, a renowned inventor and electrical engineer, is widely recognized for his groundbreaking contributions that transformed the world. Born on July 10, 1856, in Smiljan, Croatia, Tesla displayed exceptional intellectual abilities from an early age. His educational background played a significant role in shaping his innovative mindset. Tesla attended the Higher Real Gymnasium in Karlovac and later enrolled at the Austrian Polytechnic in Graz. He excelled in physics and mathematics, which laid the foundation for his future achievements.

Tesla’s most notable achievements include developing alternating current (AC) electrical systems widely used for power distribution today. He also made significant advancements in the design of electric motors, transformers, and wireless energy transmission. Tesla’s innovations laid the foundation for the electrification of the world and revolutionized various industries. Tesla continued his education at the University of Prague, studying philosophy and physics. However, he was unable to complete his degree due to financial constraints. Despite this setback, Tesla’s insatiable curiosity and self-education propelled him to become one of history’s most influential inventors.

University of Pisa

Studied: Medicine, Mathematics & Natural Philosophy

Galileo Galilei, an Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the scientific revolution. Born on February 15, 1564, in Pisa, Italy, Galileo’s educational background was crucial in shaping his revolutionary ideas. He initially studied medicine at the University of Pisa but soon shifted his focus to mathematics and natural philosophy.

Galileo’s passion for astronomy led him to make groundbreaking discoveries using the newly invented telescope. His observations of the moon’s surface, Jupiter’s moons, and sunspots challenged the prevailing geocentric model of the universe and supported the heliocentric theory proposed by Copernicus.

Galileo’s educational background gave him the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct rigorous experiments and develop mathematical models to explain natural phenomena.

Royal College of Besançon, École Normale Supérieure (Paris)

Studied: Letters & Sciences (BS), Physical Sciences (Doctorate)

Louis Pasteur was a renowned French scientist who made groundbreaking contributions to the fields of microbiology and immunology. Born on December 27, 1822, in Dole, France, Pasteur’s educational background shaped his scientific career.

He initially studied at the Royal College of Besançon and later enrolled at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. Pasteur earned his bachelor’s degree in letters and sciences before pursuing a doctorate in physical sciences. His doctoral research focused on crystallography, which laid the foundation for his future work in chemistry and biology.

Pasteur’s educational journey gave him a strong foundation in scientific principles and methodologies, enabling him to conduct rigorous experiments and make significant discoveries. His work on fermentation led to the development of pasteurization, a process that kills harmful bacteria in food and beverages. Pasteur also played a pivotal role in disproving the theory of spontaneous generation and establishing the germ theory of disease, which revolutionized medicine.

Louden Moor School, Darvel School, Kilmarnock Academy, St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School (London)

Studied: Medicine

Alexander Fleming, a Scottish biologist and pharmacologist, is renowned for his groundbreaking discovery of penicillin, a revolutionary antibiotic that transformed the world of medicine. Born on August 6, 1881, in Lochfield, Scotland, Fleming’s educational background was crucial to his scientific achievements. He attended Louden Moor School and Darvel School before enrolling at Kilmarnock Academy. Later, he pursued a medical degree at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London.

Fleming’s educational journey equipped him with the necessary knowledge and skills to embark on his remarkable scientific career. His studies in bacteriology and immunology laid the foundation for future research endeavors. Fleming made significant contributions to medical science throughout his career, including his discovery of penicillin in 1928. This accidental finding revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections and saved countless lives

St. Paul’s Girls’ School (London), Newnham College, Cambridge, University of Cambridge

Studied: Science & Mathematics, Physical Chemistry, Coal & Carbon Materials (Doctorate)

Rosalind Franklin, born on July 25, 1920, was a British chemist and crystallographer who made significant contributions to understanding the structure of DNA. Her educational background played a crucial role in shaping her career and achievements.

Franklin attended St. Paul’s Girls’ School in London, where she excelled in science and mathematics. She then studied natural sciences at Newnham College, Cambridge, specializing in physical chemistry. Franklin later pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge, focusing on studying coal and carbon materials.

Her expertise in X-ray crystallography led her to work at King’s College London, where she conducted groundbreaking research on the structure of DNA fibers. Franklin’s work laid the foundation for James Watson and Francis Crick’s discovery of the double helix structure of DNA.