Scott, Ruby Payne (1912–1981)
Scott, Ruby Payne (1912–1981)
Australian radiophysicist. Name variations: Ruby Payne-Scott; Ruby Violet Hall. Born Ruby Violet Hermann, May 28, 1912, in Grafton, NSW, Australia; died May 25, 1981; dau. of Amy and Cyril Hermann (accountant); University of Sydney, BS, 1933, MS, 1936, education diploma, 1938; m. W. H. Hall, 1944; children: 1 son, 1 daughter.
Australia's 1st woman radioastronomer, studied the relative intensity of spectral lines in indium and gallium; researched the use of photographic film to measure gamma radiation; investigated the effects of a magnetic field on tissue cultures, and published results (with W. H. Love) in Nature (1936); worked as a Cancer Research Committee fellow at University of Sydney (1932–35), as an engineer at AWA Ltd. (1939–41), and as a researcher at Commonwealth Scientific Radiophysics Division (1941–51); taught at Danebrook Church of England School in Sydney (1963–75).