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  • The Woman Who Knocked Science Sideways

The Woman Who Knocked Science Sideways

with Jada Yuan

How do you draw a clear picture of a world-famous ancestor?

Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu was a towering figure in science whose parity experiment shattered our understanding of the physical world. She enjoyed rockstar status in China, met the pope, inspired an opera and even became a “Jeopardy!” question. But to Jada Yuan, she was grandma.

Read a transcription of this podcast (.pdf)

Smiling woman with dark hair in a black dress

Photo courtesy Jada Yuan

Baby in a red jumper being help up by her grandmother

Jada Yuan held by her granmother, Chien-Shiung Wu / Photo courtesy Jada Yuan

Asian woman in a lab coat working in a laboratory setting

Chien-Shiung Wu / Lynn Gilbert / Inkjet print, 1978 (printed 2014) / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquired through the generosity of friends of Linda Thrift, in recognition of her many years of service to the National Portrait Gallery / © 2016, Lynn Gilbert

Young Asian man in a white shirt and tie sitting on his desk

Tsung-Dao Lee / Francis Bello / Gelatin silver print, 1956 / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Steve Bello / © Francis Bello Estate

Young Asian man in a suit standing in his office

Chen Ning Yang / Francis Bello / Gelatin silver print, 1956 / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Steve Bello / © Francis Bello Estate

Head shot of an Asian woman on a stamp

Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu, Honored on a U.S. Postal Service Commemorative Forever Stamp / February 2021

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  • Podcast: PORTRAITS
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    • The Woman Who Knocked Science Sideways
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Closed Dec. 25

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