The scientist known for their research on the effects of radiation is Marie Curie. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and is notable for her pioneering studies of radioactivity, a term she coined. Curie's work on elements like polonium and radium significantly advanced the understanding of radioactivity's impact on health and heavily influenced medical applications, including cancer treatments. Her groundbreaking contributions have left a lasting legacy in both science and medicine, making her a key figure in the history of radiological science.