In 1994, Coleman earned a MacArthur Genius award, and has been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

NPR: Coleman's 'Grammar' Proves Prize-Worthy

She is also a recent recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award.

WHITEHOUSE: THE WHITE HOUSE

Belcher, who came to MIT in 2002, won a MacArthur "genius" award in 2004 and works out of an office that is littered with more matter, both organic and inorganic, than any living thing could create order from.

FORBES: Breakthroughs