George Emil Palade was a Romanian-American cell biologist, renowned for his pioneering work in the field of cell biology. Born on November 19, 1912, he made significant contributions to our understanding of cellular structures and functions, particularly through the development of electron microscopy techniques. His research revealed the intricate details of cell organelles, such as ribosomes and mitochondria. In 1974, Palade was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries concerning the functional organization of the cell. He served as a professor at several prestigious institutions, including Stanford University and the University of California, San Diego, influencing generations of scientists in the field. Palade passed away on October 7, 2008.