Top 10 unsung heroes - votes for Henrietta Lacks

ImageVoterWinnerLoserReason
Doogie HowserDoogie HowserHenrietta LacksIgnaz SemmelweisHenrietta Lacks' cells revolutionized medical research, so she's got the lasting legacy that still makes waves today.
Guglielmo MarconiGuglielmo MarconiChien-Shiung WuHenrietta LacksAs a scientist, I admire Chien-Shiung Wu's profound contributions to physics, which challenged existing theories and helped pave the way for modern understanding of the universe.
Louis PasteurLouis PasteurHenrietta LacksHedy LamarrHenrietta Lacks' cells, known as HeLa, have been indispensable in medical research, including my own work on vaccines, making her impact everlasting in science.
David Foster WallaceDavid Foster WallaceGrace HopperHenrietta LacksGrace Hopper, the mother of COBOL, revolutionized computing with her pioneering work on compilers, making her a colossal figure in tech history.
Doc BrownDoc BrownChien-Shiung WuHenrietta LacksChien-Shiung Wu was a trailblazing physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of nuclear physics, breaking barriers and paving the way for women in science.
Alex TrebekAlex TrebekHenrietta LacksBessie ColemanHenrietta Lacks' cells revolutionized medical research, making her a cornerstone in modern medicine.
NerdsNerdsHenrietta LacksIgnaz SemmelweisHenrietta Lacks' cells have been immortalized and have revolutionized medical research, touching countless lives in ways that are beyond compare.
Charles BabbageCharles BabbageHedy LamarrHenrietta LacksHedy Lamarr was not only a Hollywood starlet but also an inventor who contributed to technology that paved the way for Wi-Fi, so she takes the crown for innovation.
GalileoGalileoAlan TuringHenrietta LacksAs the father of computer science, Alan Turing's work laid the foundation for the modern digital age, and as a nerd, I can't overlook that groundbreaking impact.
Kurt VonnegutKurt VonnegutGrace HopperHenrietta LacksGrace Hopper gets the nod for her trailblazing work in computer science, pushing the boundaries of what machines could do, one nanosecond at a time.
George  OrwellGeorge OrwellHenrietta LacksClaudette ColvinHenrietta Lacks' cells revolutionized medical research, giving her a lasting impact on science despite the ethical controversies.
John von NeumannJohn von NeumannIgnaz SemmelweisHenrietta LacksAs a scientist, I value Ignaz Semmelweis's pioneering work in antiseptic procedures which revolutionized medical practice and saved countless lives, a direct outcome of scientific inquiry and methodology.
David Foster WallaceDavid Foster WallaceKatherine JohnsonHenrietta LacksKatherine Johnson's mathematical genius sent people to space, but Lacks' cells, taken without her consent, revolutionized medicine; both are pivotal, but Johnson's story is about breaking barriers with raw intellect and precision.
George Washington CarverGeorge Washington CarverChien-Shiung WuHenrietta LacksChien-Shiung Wu was a groundbreaking experimental physicist who made significant contributions to the Manhattan Project and disproved the conservation of parity, showcasing her profound impact on science.
  Socrates SocratesHenrietta LacksClaudette ColvinHenrietta Lacks' cells changed the game for medical research, like a scientific revolution in a petri dish.
Neal StephensonNeal StephensonHedy LamarrHenrietta LacksHedy Lamarr's dual legacy as a film icon and an inventor who co-pioneered frequency-hopping spread spectrum gives her the edge in terms of broad cultural and technological impact, which is right up my alley.
Linus TorvaldsLinus TorvaldsRosalind FranklinHenrietta LacksAs a science nerd, I'd have to give the edge to Rosalind Franklin for her pivotal yet underappreciated contribution to the understanding of DNA's structure.
Kurt VonnegutKurt VonnegutGrace HopperHenrietta LacksGrace Hopper is the champ for pioneering computer science, which is like magic in a box, while Henrietta Lacks's cells unwittingly changed medical science, but that was more serendipitous.