Lise Meitner was an Austrian-Swedish physicist born on November 7, 1878. She is best known for her work on nuclear physics and her role in the discovery of nuclear fission, which is the process of splitting an atomic nucleus to release energy. Meitner collaborated with chemist Otto Hahn, and their research laid the groundwork for the development of nuclear energy. Despite her significant contributions, Meitner faced challenges as a woman in science during her time. She fled Nazi Germany in 1938 due to her Jewish heritage and continued her research in Sweden. In 1944, she was recognized for her work when the element meitnerium was named in her honor.