Born: 30 May 1913, Portugal
Died: 8 May 2012
Country most active: Portugal
Also known as: NA
The following was written by Nina Baker and is excerpted from the book From Alchemy to Transport Phenomena: A Global History of Women in Chemical Engineering.
Isabel Gago (1913-2012) was only the second woman to study engineering in Portugal and the first woman to teach chemical engineering. Her schooling was at the spartan but academically rigorous Women’s Institute of Education and Work. After graduation from Lisbon´s Instituto Superior Técnico (1939), Gago remained there teaching chemical engineering until her retirement (1984), although her lack of an advanced degree meant that she was always a ‘First assistant’.