Sylvia Fedoruk was a Canadian physicist with worldwide recognition for her work in the scientific community. Her area of expertise was medical physics (3) and she was the only woman in Canada who was researching medical physics in the 1950s (4). Her biggest discovery was her involvement in the development the Cobalt 60 units treatment of cancer (3).
Life Fedoruk was born on May 5, 1927 in Canora, Saskatchewan (2). She grew up in rural Saskatchewan (1) with her family and lived there for almost all of her life. She moved to Windsor, Ontario during World War II and there her English teacher encouraged her to pursue a career in science (3). Fedoruk was a serious curler, and received many awards and honours for her talent (1).
Fedoruk in the 1950s.
Education After finishing high school, Fedoruk completed both her Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in physics from the University of Saskatchewan. She was academically outstanding and received many scholarships and awards for her excellence (1).
Fedoruk working on the Cobalt 60.
Career Fedoruk began her career in 1951 as part of the staff of the University of Saskatchewan. This was where she co-developed the Cobalt 60 Therapy Unit. In 1956 she became an assistant professor at the university and 17 years later in 1973 she became a full professor. She was the first woman elected Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan in 1986 and she held that post for 4 years. Throughout her life she worked for several different organizations and boards, including the Saskatchewan Cancer Foundation, the Saskatchewan Commission on Direction in Health Care, the Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. She was also the first female trustee of the Society of Nuclear Medicine. In 1988 she was sworn as the first woman Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan and held the office until 1994 (1) (4).
Legacy Sadly, Sylvia Fedoruk died on September 26, in Saskatoon (4) but she holds great historical significance. Her scientific achievements gave her worldwide recognition and her work will continue to be an inspiration to many scientist all over the world. In addition to her tremendous scientific accomplishments, she defied odds and became to the first woman to do many things in Canada. Her work and her life which will be forever remembered.