Francine Ntoumi (Republic of Congo), is the Founder, Chair and Executive Director of the Congolese Foundation for Medical Research; Lecturer in Immunology at the Marien Ngouabi University, Republic of Congo; Professor and Research Group Leader at the University of Tübingen, Germany. After earning a doctorate on the use of the melatonin hormone in mink production, she charted a new path in more Africa-specific challenges. Throughout a successful career abroad, she remained steadfast in her goal to return to, and contribute to socioeconomic development in the Republic of Congo. With no opportunities available she created the Congolese Foundation for Medical Research, today considered one of the most efficient institutions in public health and health research in the country. She is also leading initiatives to build capacity to tackle infectious diseases in the Central African subregion. Her dearest accomplishment is contributing to making science a female ambition.