I admire Maria for the passion she shows for science, leaving no doubt that she loves what she does and that it is part of her DNA. On top of all she has achieved in her field which is well documented with awards, publications, etc., she is also actively dedicated to gender equality in science. She doesn’t just show up for meetings, she comes armed with ideas and willingness to actively participate, share her experience, mentor, and work for change. It is easy to say you stand for equity in science, but Maria shows this through her actions.