February 7, 2021 Suzanne Slade THE WASHINGTON POST – The coronavirus pandemic dominated the news headlines last year. Curious people around the world wanted to know more about this “new” virus and the disease it causes, COVID-19. But coronaviruses aren’t new. In fact, the first human coronavirus was discovered in 1964 by a woman who had never attended a university. Like many women throughout history who made groundbreaking science discoveries, her story was unknown for decades. As a girl, June Hart was a brilliant student who excelled in science. She won the top science prize at her school in 1947, according to her daughter, Joyce Almeida. June dreamed of going to a university to learn about her favourite subject.