Two decades ago, the idea of ​​becoming a leading scientist in Germany would have seemed far removed from Dr. Charles Otieno Ogolla's reality. 

He grew up in Kenya with a strong interest in education and acutely aware of the financial constraints his family faced: "I had my dreams and really pursued them heavily. And I used to know that education will pay off one day."

That belief set him on a path that would eventually lead to Germany in 2016, where he joined the University of Siegen, located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.