Scientist Barbara McClintock proved that facing a lot of obstacles brings one closer to a rewarding life.

Jane Cox, associate professor of music, will be performing her original script called “The Longing to Understand” based on the life of McClintock.

“She was a remarkable woman,” Cox says. “She lived in relative obscurity. She was so far ahead of her time, scientists chose not to pay attention to her.”

McClintock was born in 1902, a time when the field of science was male dominated.

She did her undergraduate study at Cornell University in New York where she wanted to obtain a degree in genetics, Cox says. But because she was not allowed to study genetics due to her gender, McClintock studied botany instead.

She was even considered for a job in genetics at Iowa State College, as it was called then, but the dean told her that no woman would be hired for the position.

Slowly, McClintock began to be recognized. Finally, she received the Nobel Prize for her work when she was 81 years old.

“[Longing to understand] is a passion that will drive you through life,” Cox says. “Go the direction you feel you must, and if that makes you different from others, then that’s the way it has to be.”

Cox says the play also brings up McClintock’s views about science and research.

“It is a monologue about her life, her research and what drew her to science,” Cox adds. “It also discusses the trials [McClintock] had in trying to find a place in the science community at a time when it was difficult to do.”

Pat Gouran, associate professor of music, says that everyone should be able to relate to a woman like McClintock.

“I thought it was very powerful insight into a real human being. This character of McClintock has affected everyone’s life,” he adds, “even though they may not know it.”

“The Longing to Understand” will appear at Fisher Theatre tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens and $4.50 for students. Tickets are available at the Iowa State Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations.