Alan Aderem earned his PhD while under house arrest for protesting apartheid in South Africa. His early political involvement has guided his scientific focus, encouraging fellow systems biologists to study immunology and infectious diseases.

Meet some of the people featured in the October 2014 issue of The Scientist.

Not one to shy away from controversy, Bruce Ames has pitted himself against industry groups, environmentalists, and his peers through his work identifying DNA mutagens. And he’s not done yet.

György Hajnóczky uncovers the chemical and physical strategies by which mitochondria communicate and function within a cell.

Lynne Quarmby’s love of the natural world inspires her to explore beyond her cell biology lab through art.

Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, University College London. Age: 32

Fueled by her love of visual data and addicted to chromosomes, Abby Dernburg continues to study how homologous chromosomes find each other during gamete formation.

Federal agencies partner up to develop an online tool for researchers to build a universal biosketch to accompany grant applications.

Assistant Professor, Physics, Princeton University. Age: 39

Thanks to a book, a war, and a big green caterpillar, John Hildebrand found himself mapping the exquisite and surprising wiring of the insect olfactory system.