Danielle Mersch nominated Lucia Prieto Godino, the co-founder of TReND, a non-profit organisation connecting Western and African scientists. 

I chose to nominate Lucia Prieto Godino because in addition to pursuing a scientific career, she founded TReND in Africa to promote university education and research in African countries. Research, especially neuroscience, often requires a lot of money, but Lucia set out to show that even with little funding and a lot of willpower and determination it is possible to teach neuroscience and do research even when electricity is not guaranteed around the clock.

The saying goes that willpower, determination and courage can move mountains and Lucia illustrates this marvelously, that is what I find inspiring

Sharing knowledge and ideas is one of the most powerful tools to empower and connect individuals. And that is exactly what Lucia does: sharing knowledge with scientists and students in African countries and empowering them to become their own masters of innovation and research. The saying goes that willpower, determination and courage can move mountains and Lucia illustrates this marvellously, that is what I find inspiring.

Lucia Prieto Godino and her work with TReND: