New frontiers in ethnomedicine: exploring the Angolan indigenous pharmacopeia for novel antimalarial drugs.

These are exciting times for science in Angola. After decades of war and monolithic thinking the tide is finally turning. The oilrich nation has greatly benefited from the sharp increase in Brent crude oil prices and production over the past 15 years, effectively providing the financial means for many to go abroad, largely to access a better education. Portugal, the former colonial power was the destination of most, followed by Brazil, South Africa and more recently the UK and the USA. There also seems to be a renewed interest toward education by seasoned professionals as many pursue advanced degrees at the later stages of their careers. The increased political stability coupled with double-digit economic growth and high remuneration packages in the face of a global financial crisis prompted many young and dynamic graduates to return home. It also made Angola a very attractive destination of choice for many largely Portuguese-proficient professionals fleeing the harsh financial realities and bleak career prospects in their home countries. The brain gain has been significant, especially in less mainstream fields like Laboratory Sciences. There is still, however, a palpable shortage of talented and experienced M.Sc. and Ph.D. graduates to lead meaningful research projects. Further compounding this shortage of human capital is the limited number of research laboratories, although visible efforts are being undertaken to overcome this hurdle. Nonetheless, for the first time in recent history we have the most important resource needed to turn the tide and launch research science in the country: scientists.