5 of 6
BACKNEXT
The Economist
The Economist
Esther Duflo, 38, MIT economics professor; co-founder and director, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab

Duflo's groundbreaking research is helping determine whether billions spent on global aid efforts actually work -- and winning her the highest acclaim in her field. Shown in front of Boston's Longfellow Bridge, which she walks across on her commute to work.

In her own words: "We make decisions that impact millions with little understanding of what works."



NEXT: The Old-Economy Star
Last updated October 14 2010: 6:16 AM ET
Full List: Top 40 Meet this year's class of youthful movers and shakers. They're innovating, they're expanding, and they're not really thinking about the recession. More
Where is the economy heading?This year's innovators offer their economic predictions for the next few years and beyond. More
Highest paid under 40 Which young executives at public companies brought home the most bacon this year? And exactly how much bacon are we talking about? More

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.