At the age of 25 in 1932, Prebil began working at the Radium Institute in Paris under the tutelage of Marie Curie.
[2] It is accepted that Leigh-Smith defended her thesis in London, however it is currently unknown from what university she was granted her degree.
[2][3] In January 1943, the anticipation of results from her study regarding the treatment of cancer with radioactive substances was published in the London Times.
In 1942, Leigh-Smith and a Swiss chemist, Walter Minder jointly announced the discovery of element 85 (now called astatine)[4] in 1942.
[5] They proposed the name anglohelvetium for the new element, in order to honor both of their home countries- "anglo" for Leigh-Smith's England and "Helvetia" after the personification of Minder's country- Switzerland.