In 1981, Filipino and American scientist Dr. Roseli Ocampo-Friedmann received the U.S. Congressional Antarctic Service Medal for her work on microorganisms in Antarctica.

Dr. Ocampo-Friedmann was a botanist and microbiologist who mainly specialized in the study of extremophiles. Her groundbreaking work was even cited in “terraforming” Mars, and her research led NASA to discuss theories on potentially similar microbes that might have existed on Mars in ancient times.

Her work gave the much-needed foundation for studies involving some organisms’ ability to survive harsh conditions and will always be remembered for her ambitious persona.