Hwang Woo Suk

He's not a politician, a tycoon, or a pop star. But these days, Hwang Woo Suk may enjoy more popularity and respect in South Korea than the hottest celebrity. He is a pioneer of embryonic stem cell research -- and a national hero. The Korean government even issued a postage stamp in his honor in February that juxtaposes an image of growing stem cells with silhouettes of a man rising from a wheelchair, walking, and embracing another person. Read more in a recent Business Week article about his work.

Point: It's important to know the real people behind the new industries taking off across the world. Does your area have a connection to Hwang or his work? It should if it hopes to move along the stem cell curve.