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Mar 14, 2011

Smartest People in the World

Smartest People in the World
Today marks the 132nd anniversary of the birth of Albert Einstein. His work in the field of physics -- including groundbreaking theory -- has made his name synonymous with the word "genius". In honor of his brainiac legacy, here's a list of some modern-day megaminds who've made waves in the worlds of technology, media and science.





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.



Samantha Power
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 theNational Security Council with a passion for human rights.

Jaron Lanier
In the '80s, this computer scientist introduced the masses to his pet project. The free thinker is also a visual artist and a composer.

Elon Musk
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.

Edna Foa
Foa is a clinical psychology professor who specializes in anxiety disorders

Malcolm Gladwell
This writer and magazine journalist gained widespread attention with suchnonfiction works as his first best-selling book and this analysis of success 

Arianna Huffington
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.

Harold Varmus
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.

Steven Chu
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.

Steve Jobs
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.

Mark Zuckerberg
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. 

Tim Berners-Lee
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.

Nergis Mavalvala
Mavalvala is a physicist and professor who studies one of Einstein's passions. Her developments in that field recently earned her "genius" status. 

Margaret Turnbull
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.

John Dabiri
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.