Nouns

(n)pioneer, innovator, trailblazer, groundbreakersomeone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
(n)pioneerone of the first colonists or settlers in a new territory“they went west as pioneers with only the possessions they could carry with them”

Verbs

(v)pioneer, open upopen up an area or prepare a way“She pioneered a graduate program for women students”
(v)initiate, pioneertake the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of“This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants”
(v)pioneeropen up and explore a new area“pioneer space”