Celebrating Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu
Post-offices across the country are now selling a stamp commemorating female physicist Chien-Shiung Wu. In the early 1940's Wu worked on the Manhattan Project, developing a key process that separates uranium metal into the isotopes used in the atomic bomb. She also disproved the "Law of Conservation of Parity," which was thought to be a bedrock principle in physics.
Janna Levin, the Claire Tow Professor of Physics & Astronomy at Barnard College and chair and director of sciences for Pioneer Works, talks about Dr. Wu's groundbreaking work. Dr. Wu's granddaughter, Jada Yuan, a journalist covering political features for the Washington Post and the New York Times inaugural 52 Places Traveler, also joins us.