115th Birthday of Rita Levi-Montalcini

Portrait of Rita Levi-Montalcini, inspired by a photograph by Manuela Fabbri. In the background to the right, a horseshoe-based microscope that served as a lucky charm for the award of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986 — it was taken from a medal designed by her brother, the Italian scientist Gino Levi-Montalcini. Above, the commemorative inscription "RITA LEVI-MONTALCINI"; to the left, the abbreviation "RI" for the Italian Republic and the Rome Mint mark "R". Below the design, the issue year "2024" and, at lower right, the initials "SP" of coin designer Silvia Petrassi.

Rita Levi-Montalcini is one of the most important scientists of the 20th century. Born in Turin in 1909, she began studying medicine against her father's wishes and graduated in 1936 — shortly before the fascist race laws of 1938 barred her, as a Jew, from any academic activity in Italy. During the Second World War she nevertheless continued her research, at first in secret in her hometown, later as a refugee in Florence. After the war she spent decades working at Washington University in St. Louis, where she achieved her decisive breakthrough: the discovery of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein that regulates the growth and differentiation of nerve cells. This discovery laid the foundations for today's understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and opened new paths in cancer research.

For her discovery of nerve growth factor, Levi-Montalcini received the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine together with Stanley Cohen — the first Italian woman ever to do so. In later years she became deeply involved in science policy and in promoting education in Africa, particularly through her foundation supporting young African women. In 2001 she was appointed senator for life of the Italian Republic, a role she held until her death in Rome in 2012 at the age of 103. Italy honored her with a 2-euro commemorative coin in 2024 on the occasion of her 115th birthday, paying tribute to a figure who combined scientific excellence, personal resilience, and social commitment in a rare way.