Barbie creates doll to represent British COVID-19 vaccine developer
Sarah Gilbert is already a household name in many parts of the world as the co-developer of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
[Aug 4, 2021: The Brighter Side of News]
Sarah Gilbert, a 59-year-old professor at Oxford University, is already a household name in many parts of the world as the co-developer of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
She can now add one more accolade to her credit as she shares an exceedingly rare honor with Beyoncé, Marilyn Monroe and Eleanor Roosevelt: a Barbie doll in her likeness.
Toy maker Mattel Inc is recognizing six women in the Covid-19 fight with a line of Barbie "role model" dolls.
Gilbert's Barbie shares her long auburn hair and oversized black glasses, and she wears a sensible navy-blue pantsuit and white blouse.
"It's a very strange concept having a Barbie doll created in my likeness," Gilbert said in an interview for Mattel. "I hope it will be part of making it more normal for girls to think about careers in science."
Gilbert chose nonprofit organization WISE (Women in Science & Engineering), dedicated to inspiring girls to consider a career in STEM, to receive a financial donation from the toy maker.
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Joseph Shavit
Science News Writer, Editor-At-Large and Publisher
Joseph Shavit, based in Los Angeles, is a seasoned science journalist, editor and co-founder of The Brighter Side of News, where he transforms complex discoveries into clear, engaging stories for general readers. With experience at major media groups like Times Mirror and Tribune, he writes with both authority and curiosity. His work spans astronomy, physics, quantum mechanics, climate change, artificial intelligence, health, and medicine. Known for linking breakthroughs to real-world markets, he highlights how research transitions into products and industries that shape daily life.