TIME magazine recognized UW-Madison biologist James Thomson as one of 2008’s “World’s Most Influential People” in its May 12 issue, which hit stands Friday. The fifth annual TIME 100 lists Thomson, along with Shinya Yamanaka of Japan’s Kyoto University, for their separate yet similar discoveries in November 2007.

Each discovered a way to genetically reprogram human skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells.

TIME’s entry called the discovery an achievement with “a potential that could be unlimited.”

“It’s terrific that TIME has honored Dr. Thomson—and for a second time,” Carl Gulbrandsen, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation managing director, said in a statement.

Gulbrandsen said Thomson made the cover of the magazine in 2001 for being the first person to isolate and culture human embryonic stem cells in 1998. “His research is the foundation for Wisconsin’s ambitious plans to grow its economy around stem-cell science and biotechnology,” he said.

“Jamie Thomson is an extremely disciplined and focused researcher and its great to see that a consumer publication like TIME continues to write about his remarkable contributions to medical research and improving human health. Not many people other than politicians or entertainers receive this level of national recognition.”

The TIME 100 also recognizes influential leaders, artists and entertainers, among others.

The magazine’s acknowledgment came days after Thomson was elected as a member to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors for scientists.

UW-Madison named the November 2007 stem-cell finding the “Discovery of the Year” at a ceremony in February as Thomson accepted the position of director of regenerative biology at the Morgridge Institute for Research, the private half of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, which began construction Friday.

Gov. Jim Doyle mentioned the TIME article at a groundbreaking ceremony, saying Thomson had “broken into popular culture.”