Hadiyah-Nicole Green facts for kids

Hadiyah-Nicole Green (born in 1981) is an amazing American scientist who studies medical physics. She is famous for creating a new way to treat cancer using tiny, laser-activated particles called nanoparticles. Dr. Green is also special because she was one of the first Black women to earn a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Early Life and Education

Hadiyah-Nicole Green was raised by her aunt and uncle in St. Louis, Missouri, after her parents passed away when she was young. She was the first person in her family to go to college.

College Journey

After high school, Green attended a summer computer science program at Xavier University of Louisiana. She then received a full scholarship to Alabama A&M University. In 2003, she earned her bachelor's degree in physics, focusing on optics, and also studied mathematics. She often talks about how important Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Alabama A&M were for her. They helped her grow and learn about herself.

Advanced Studies

Green continued her studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She earned her master's degree in physics in 2009 and her Ph.D. in physics in 2012. Her Ph.D. research focused on using tiny particles and lasers to find and treat tumors without harming healthy cells.

Developing New Cancer Treatments

After college, Hadiyah-Nicole Green faced a personal challenge. Her aunt, who had raised her, was diagnosed with cancer. Her aunt decided not to have chemotherapy or radiation because she was worried about the side effects. Green took care of her aunt during her last months.

Later, her uncle also got cancer. Green saw him suffer from the harsh side effects of traditional treatments. These experiences made her want to find better, gentler ways to fight cancer.

Using Lasers for Cancer Research

Green had an internship at NASA where she realized how lasers could be used in cancer research. She wanted to use her knowledge of lasers to target only cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. She developed a method where lasers "light up" nanoparticles. This helps doctors see cancer cells clearly and target them faster.

Nanoparticles and Laser Therapy

During her Ph.D. studies, Green was part of a team that found a way to put nanoparticles inside cancer cells. These nanoparticles avoid healthy cells. When a laser shines on the tissue with the nanoparticles, the cancer cells heat up and are destroyed. She first tested her ideas on cancer cells in a dish. Then, she used small animals like mice to continue her research. Her goal is to use this nanoparticle treatment for people.

Advancing Her Research

After graduate school, Green became a professor at Tuskegee University. In 2016, she moved to Morehouse School of Medicine. There, she received a large grant of $1.1 million. This money helps her continue to develop her laser treatment for cancer.

Founding the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation

In 2016, Dr. Green started the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation. She named it after her aunt. The foundation's main goal is to make cancer treatment better, with fewer side effects. It also aims to make sure cancer treatment is available and affordable for everyone.

Recent Recognition

In November 2024, Dr. Green was honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognized her amazing work in cancer treatment and research. It also celebrated her leadership in her field and her dedication to helping her community.

Dr. Green also spends a lot of her free time talking to and guiding young Black students.