VOTE: E.J. Corey.

180 THINKERS – E.J. Corey, 1990 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry. Most chemists used to think about how to build a complex molecule (a drug to treat cancer patients, a more efficient fuel, or transforming industrial waste compounds into something truly useful) by building it from scratch, like using Lego bricks.

E.J. Corey is a true 180-thinker. He taught the world’s top chemists to think backwards, starting with the end goal in mind. His disciples are responsible for creating tremendous breakthroughs in medicine, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, and other chemistry related industries. – David Rhee, Riot Amsterdam