Russian chemist and inventor who formulated the Periodic Law, created a farsighted version of the periodic table of elements, used it to correct the properties of some already discovered elements, and predict the properties of eight elements then undiscovered.

An astrophysicist from Northern Ireland who, as a postgraduate student, discovered the first radio pulsars in 1967 – one of the most significant scientific achievements of the 20th century.

English chemist and X-ray crystallographer whose work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal, and graphite. Although her works on coal and viruses were appreciated in her lifetime, her contributions to the discovery of the structure of DNA were really only recognised posthumously.

An astronomer, physicist and engineer from Pisa. He has been called the “father of observational astronomy”, the “father of modern physics”, the “father of the scientific method”, and the “father of modern science”. His championing of heliocentrism and Copernicanism was controversial during his lifetime.

Swedish botanist, zoologist, and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the modern system of naming organisms. He is known as the “father of modern taxonomy”.

British chemist and entrepreneur best known for his serendipitous discovery of the first synthetic organic dye, mauveine, made from aniline. Though he failed in trying to synthesise quinine for the treatment of malaria, he became successful in the field of dyes.

English naturalist, geologist and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. His proposition that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors is now widely accepted, and considered a foundational concept in science. With Alfred Russel Wallace, he introduced the idea that the branching pattern of evolution resulted from the process of natural selection.