Born in Sierra Leone, Africa, Dr. Francis Amara pursued his passion for science in the United Kingdom, Sweden and Russia before immigrating to Canada to do post-doctoral work. He is the Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and the creator of the Inner City Science Laboratory, a lab that works closely with Winnipeg’s aboriginal communities inviting youth to explore and learn about medicine. He is the founder of the Head Start Aboriginal Biomedical Youth Program where he mentors aboriginal students who are considering a career in science. He is also the co-founder of Sierra Leone Refugee Inc. which aids newcomers with the settlement process because, as he puts it, newcomers who choose learning and embrace their new community always find success in Canada.