"Me!", astronomer and explorer Merieme Chadid (born in 1969) answered with a dazzling smile during a recent interview, when she was asked who had been her biggest inspiration and influence. In 2005, the adventurous Moroccan-French scientist became the first Moroccan person, as well as the first female French astronomer to reach the heart of Antarctica. Beaming with pride, she planted the Moroccan flag at one of the highest, coldest, most isolated places on earth. "With its lack of light pollution and six months of darkness in the winter, this is the perfect place to study the stars," according to Merieme. When she was asked - as the first astronomer in the world - to install a large astronomical observatory in this remote location, she didn't have to think twice. Working hard under the extreme circumstances of the Antarctic galvanized her leadership skills: "I learned how to make the right decisions quickly, under tremendous pressure," she explained. Then, with a smile: "It was like a space mission!". Growing up in a large Moroccan family with a blacksmith and a housewife for parents, Merieme knew at 10 years old that she wanted to 'understand the magic of the universe'. She fought her way up, to become a pioneering expert on stellar evolution by - literally - following the stars, but also her own heart. "Throughout my career, I stayed true to myself. And so, I have ME to thank for my success," she explained, exuding self-love and pride. Her biggest mission now? To inspire the rest of the world to go out and fulfill their dreams: 'Smile, explore, discover and share, that's my motto."

"It is always our own self that we find at the end of the journey."
- Swiss explorer Ella Maillart