In contrast to the archetypical mad scientist, there are a lesser number of heroic scientists and engineers depicted in western culture who go above and beyond the regular demands of their professions to use their skills and knowledge for the betterment of others, often at great personal risk.
In the various Star Trek series, the Chief Engineer or the equivalent post is always a prominent member of each crew.
In the various Star Trek series, the Science Officer or the equivalent post is usually a prominent member of each crew. Most notable personnel in this capacity include:
Mr. Spock – A Vulcan in the original Star Trek television series and movies; Spock serves as both Science Officer and 1st Officer on the USS Enterprise, where his vast scientific expertise and coolly logical demeanor prove invaluable in many of the ship's adventures.
Professor Abraham van Helsing, the nemesis of Bram Stoker's Dracula. In later incarnations, the professor has not fared so well, and, in some adaptations, is himself a villain.
Professor Roy Hinkley (a/k/a simply The Professor) in the television series Gilligan's Island where he is the respected de facto leader of the Castaways and usually represents the only real continual hope of rescue.
Doctor Emil Lang of Robotech, responsible for much of the Earth based Robotechnology. Briefly seen in the original series, he played a much larger role in the aborted series Robotech II: The Sentinels which was adapted as a comic book series.
MacGyver – A television series character who fights the forces of evil using his scientific and engineering knowledge to his advantage.
Ian Malcolm – Mathematician who is the hero of the Jurassic Park book and movie (though it is hardly clear how his mathematical and scientific training helps)
Dr. Juliet Parrish – A scientist who becomes the principal leader of the resistance against the genocidal alien Visitors in the V television franchise.
Q (agent's codename) makes all the gadgets James Bond uses (Q is most often portrayed using the conventional literary trappings of a scientist (white lab coat etc), even though his activities are closer to engineering).
Shiro Sanada of Space Battleship Yamato called Sandor in Star Blazers. Usually he is referred to as the Chief Technician or Chief Mechanic instead of Chief Scientist or Science Officer.
In the Ghostbusters film and television franchise, most of the central characters are parapsychologists who battle ghosts and other supernatural menaces with equipment of their own design.
