Sebastian Kraves wants to bring DNA science to more people in new places.

Jason W. Chin pioneers methods to reprogram the genetic code of living organisms.

Steve McCarroll is conducting groundbreaking research on the causes of mental illness.

Uri Alon studies how cells work, using an array of tools (including improv theater) to understand the biological circuits that perform the functions of life.

Mennat El Ghalid research aims to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying fungal biology and pathogenicity.

Oded Shoseyov’s researches plant molecular biology protein engineering and nanobiotechnology, creating super-performing materials that are could change the way we build our future products.

Angela Belcher looks to nature for inspiration on how to engineer viruses to create extraordinary new materials.

Erika Cheung was one of the key whistleblowers in the Theranos scandal.

TED Senior Fellow Edsel Salvana is studying the genetics of HIV, developing an affordable test for HIV drug resistance and fighting the spread of misinformation around vaccines and immunization.

Neuroscientist Yasmin Hurd researches nonaddictive, efficacious treatments that use cannabidiol (CDB) to address the opioid epidemic.

Elizabeth Blackburn won a Nobel Prize for her pioneering work on telomeres and telomerase, which may play central roles in how we age. She is president of the Salk Institute and author of the New York Times Best Seller, "The Telomere Effect."

Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi invented a method to spy on the social behavior and communication of bacteria.

Lisa Nip's work focuses on how we can use synthetic biology to allow humanity to explore space

Alix Generous is a college student and biology researcher with Asperger syndrome. She stresses the importance of building accepting environments for all kinds of minds.

Bonnie Bassler studies how bacteria can communicate with one another, through chemical signals, to act as a unit. Her work could pave the way for new, more potent medicine.

One of the true luminaries of personal computing, Alan Kay conceived of laptops and graphical interfaces years before they were realized. At XeroxPARC, Apple, HP and Disney, he has developed tools for improving the mind.

Melissa Garren is a molecular and marine biologist with a passion for unlocking the mysteries of our ocean's ecosystems and finding new avenues for conservation.

David Bolinsky and his team illustrate scientific and medical concepts with high-drama animation. You've never seen the life of a cell quite like this.

Jerome Kim, MD, is the Director General of the International Vaccine Institute and an international expert on the evaluation and development of vaccines.

Michael Levin's research could give rise to adaptive, self-repairing robotics and novel platforms for artificial intelligence.

Brazilian-born biologist Juliana Machado Ferreira wants, simply, to save the world one bird at a time. She is a TED Senior Fellow.

Cheryl Hayashi studies the delicate but terrifically strong silk threads that make up a spider's web, finding startling applications for human use.

A powerhouse of scientific leadership in Africa, Christian Happi sequences and studies the genomes of infectious diseases like Ebola, HIV and coronavirus.

Recognized as one of the greatest scientific innovators of our time, Joanne Chory studies the genetic codes of plants. Her goal: to use plants to help fight climate change.

Jill Farrant is leading the development of drought-tolerant crops to nourish populations in arid climates.

Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado wants to understand the how and why of tissue regeneration.

Adam de la Zerda develops new medical imaging technologies to detect and destroy cancer.

Peter Donnelly is an expert in probability theory who applies statistical methods to genetic data -- spurring advances in disease treatment and insight on our evolution. He's also an expert on DNA analysis, and an advocate for sensible statistical analysis in the courtroom.

Emtithal "Emi" Mahmoud dedicates her time to spreading understanding through poetry and advocacy, particularly for the cause of refugees and disadvantaged communities the world over.

Stephen Palumbi studies the way humanity and ocean life interact and intertwine. His insights into our codependence offer ideas for protecting both the ocean and ourselves.