Passion or Profession: Computer scientist, Internet pioneer

Period: 1954–

Emeagwali was known as a very bright child, but suffered a difficult upbringing—even serving as a child warrior in the Biafran army. He was able to finish his initial education in London and went on to college in the United States. As a computer scientist, he pioneered supercomputing technology and helped create the theories upon with the modern internet is based.