Paula Herwig | |
|---|---|
 Herwig in 1947 | |
| Born | 11 October 1889 |
| Died | 31 March 1983 (aged 93) |
| Nationality | German |
| Citizenship | Nazi Germany, East Germany |
| Alma mater | University of Berlin |
| Occupation(s) | Biologist, politician |
| Known for | Hertwig-Weyers syndrome |
| Political party | German Democratic Party |
| Awards | National Prize of the German Democratic Republic Patriotic Order of Merit |
Paula Hertwig (11 October 1889 – 31 March 1983) was a German biologist and politician. Her research focused on radiation health effects. Hertwig was the first woman to habilitate at the then Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Berlin (now Humboldt University of Berlin) in the field of zoology. She was also the first biologist at a German university. Hertwig is one of the founders of radiation genetics alongside Emmy Stein. Hertwig-Weyers syndrome, which describes oligodactyly in humans as a result of radiation exposure, is named after her and her colleague, Helmut Weyers.