The scientist known for identifying the structure of DNA is James Watson, along with Francis Crick. In 1953, they proposed the double-helix model of DNA, which demonstrated how genetic information is stored and replicated. Their groundbreaking work built upon the findings of other scientists, such as Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray diffraction images were crucial for understanding DNA's structure. The discovery of DNA's structure has had profound implications across various fields, including genetics, molecular biology, and medicine, paving the way for advances like genetic engineering.