Zara Randriamanakoto

"My research topics mainly revolve on multi-wavelength investigation of young massive star clusters in interacting and collisional ring galaxies. I am also interested in the life cycle of radio AGN."

"I am passionate about science engagement, the promotion of Girls and Women in STEM, and especially the advancement of astronomy in all its aspects in my home country (Madagascar) and Africa."

"These African women who are shaking up science."

"I learned everything from her. She is a strong woman, who fought all her life to give us an education and against illness too. She is my first role model and gave me this energy, this fighting spirit, this strength of character."

"I am the team leader of Kanty Astronomy Research Group (KARG). We are an extragalactic astronomy group affiliated with SAAO and the University of Antananarivo."

"Doing astronomy is like investing. It is a science that promotes innovation, an essential ingredient for the sustainable development of a country."

"I did my undergraduate degree in physics, then a BSc Honours in energy physics at the University of Antananarivo. I then did postgraduate studies in astronomy and astrophysics (BSc Honours, Masters and then PhD thesis) at the University of Cape Town. I obtained my PhD in astronomy in 2015. Between 2015 and 2018, I was a SKA postdoc at the same university."

"The main challenges I encountered were the language barriers (switching from French to English), exposure to a diverse culture in South Africa and especially adapting to the new educational system at the University of Cape Townbwhich required a lot of self-learning, self-discipline and perseverance."

"Have the audacity to protect your dreams, if you can dream it, you can do it. If you aspire to be an astrophysicist, start building your path towards your goal. Find a mentor along the way."

"I am currently expanding my research topic to the study of star clusters."

"Nothing predestined me to become an astronomer. I moved to Antananarivo for my university studies at the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Antananarivo. I obtained a masters degree in energy physics from the physics department in 2007."

"Like humans, a star cluster is born, lives, and dies. The duration of this process could be up to a few billion years or more."