pioneer

nouns

someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
groundbreaker, innovator, pioneer, trailblazer
one the first colonists or settlers in a new territory
"they went west as pioneers with only the possessions they could carry with them"
pioneer
is a type of (narrower)
a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
colonist, settler

verbs

open up an area or prepare a way
"She pioneered a graduate program for women students"
open up, pioneer
take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
"This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants"
initiate, pioneer
open up and explore a new area
"pioneer space"
pioneer
is a type of (narrower)
travel to or penetrate into
"explore unknown territory in biology"
explore