Prof Sarah Gilbert honoured with vaccine Barbie
The Oxford/AstraZeneca jab’s co-creator hopes it will inspire young girls to pursue STEM careers.
Sarah Gilbert has had a busy year. The Oxford/AstraZeneca jab co-creator has been made a dame, received an emotional standing ovation at Wimbledon, and now a Barbie doll has been created in her honor.
Gilbert, who oversaw the development of the Covid vaccine at Oxford University, described the gesture as “very strange” at first, but expressed hope that it would inspire young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem).
“I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into Stem careers and hope that children who see my Barbie will realise how vital careers in science are to help the world around us,” she said. “My wish is that my doll will show children careers they may not be aware of, like a vaccinologist.”
In addition to Dame Sarah’s likeness, the toy company has created models in honor of five other women working in STEM around the world.
They include Amy O’Sullivan and Dr Audrey Cruz from the United States, Dr Chika Stacy Oriuwa from Canada, Brazilian biomedical researcher Dr Jaqueline Goes de Jesus from Brazil, and Dr Kirby White from Australia, who co-created a reusable gown for frontline staff.
“Barbie recognizes that all frontline workers have made tremendous sacrifices when confronting the pandemic and the challenges it heightened,” said Lisa McKnight, senior vice-president and global head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel. We are sharing their stories to shed light on their efforts… to inspire the next generation to follow in the footsteps of these heroes and give back.”
Mattel also recently released a Rosa Parks Barbie (as part of its Inspiring Women series).
Barbie was accused of having a “wokeover” in 2019 after Mattel released a new line of gender-inclusive, label-free dolls.
They are the latest in a long line of inclusive Barbies and Kens. There is now a wheelchair-using Barbie, a black Barbie with natural hair, and a Ken with a slightly higher BMI.
