Scientist Katalin Karikó’s work didn’t get the attention it deserved until the start of the pandemic in 2020, when suddenly her area of expertise, mRNA, became the most important subject of research worldwide. From one day to the next, Karikó became the star of the scientific community. Today she looks back on why her research was not funded, advocates for new role models and explains why she didn`t give up her career for her family.