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Marie Curie, a renowned physicist and chemist, holds the distinction of being the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, prior to Maria Goeppert Mayer's achievement. Curie's groundbreaking research into radioactivity, which included the discovery of two new elements, polonium and radium, earned her this prestigious honor in 1903. She remains an iconic figure in scientific history for her pioneering contributions and unwavering dedication to her field.