Costanza Boccadoro, scientist at Camillo Golgi Laboratory in Pavia

Abstract

The investigation into the individual professional events can provide a great aid to the explanation of the complex intertwining of constricts and opportunities wich characterized the progressive inclusion of women in medicine between the end of nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century in Italy. The biography of Costanza Boccadoro, researcher in the Camillo Golgi’s laboratory in the University of Pavia is useful for this purpose. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Camillo Golgi’s neurobiological research institute in the University of Pavia became internationally famous and attracted a lot of students and scientists. Costanza Boccadoro attended the Golgi’s laboratory as student and assisted him during his last period of experimental activity. For many years she was able to reconcile both experimental research and teaching, clinic and social commitment. After specializing in pediatrics and once married, she chose to devote exclusively to her pediatric outpatient clinic in Lodi. The Costanza Boccadoro’s professional and academic biography revealed a personality made of great scientific and ethical value and offered some interesting subjects for deeper investigation in the current relationship between women and science too.