These are the groundbreaking women of 2020

Fadji Zaouna Maina

Fadji Zaouna Maina is the first Nigerien scientist to work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She has had ambitions of alleviating water problems in her hometown since age 10. Now, she gets to tackle the world’s water crises with data from NASA.

The 29-year-old hydrologist from Zinder, Niger, joined NASA on August 27, amid congratulatory messages from Niger’s president and first lady and other high-profile members of her community.

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Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou referred to her as “a national pride, and a role model for the youth of Niger”.