Smartest People in the World
Stephen Hawking
This brilliant Brit's career as a theoretical physicist has focused on solving one doozy of a mystery. Hawking's debilitating disease hasn't stopped him from achieving international fame.
Power is an Irish-born American journalist who's written about such heavy topics as genocide in her award-winning war coverage. She's a presidential appointee to the National Security Council with a passion for human rights.
In the '80s, this computer scientist introduced the masses to his pet project. The free thinker is also a visual artist and a composer.
This South African-Canadian entrepreneur has had a hand in creating this e-commerce staple, as well as a company that produces electric cars. He's also the brains behind a "green" energy company, and he's a rocket scientist to boot.
Foa is a clinical psychology professor who specializes in anxiety disorders
This writer and magazine journalist gained widespread attention with such nonfiction works as his first best-selling book and this analysis of success
In February, this Greek media mogul sold her news and opinion website to AOL -- see the price tag -- making her editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group. She now oversees everything from fashion to cartography.
Varmus is the director of the National Cancer Institute, which falls under this umbrella. His scientific discovery won him (and his partner) an impressive prize in the '80s.
This physicist and former molecular and cellular biology professor is a prize-winning United States Cabinet member. His puts his mind to such tough subjects as climate change and has innovative ideas for the future of fuel.
Apple's CEO and co-founder helped change the way we listen to music, enjoy movies and share information. Watch him debut his latest creation.
Thanks to the 26-year-old creator and CEO of Facebook, people all around the world have gotten connected, and the company is now worth billions. Zuckerberg has become prime Hollywood fodder and has the clout to earn a presidential private audience.
This British computer scientist is credited with inventing the World Wide Web and continues to oversee its expansion. He received one of his country's highest honors and is in high standing in this country as well.
Mavalvala is a physicist and professor who studies one of Einstein's passions. Her developments in that field recently earned her "genius" status.
This astrobiologist has made a career seeking intelligent life-forms on HabStars. She's worked with leading star scholars and there's even an asteroid bearing her name.
Dabiri is a professor of aeronautics and bioengineering who's studied these simple aquatic creatures as a means of better understanding some pretty complex mechanics.
