London. The American toy company Mattel has launched a Barbie doll in honor of the scientist who led the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, British researcher Sarah Gilbert.
Oxford professor of vaccination, Gilbert, initially said the initiative was “quite strange” but now hopes it will inspire young women and girls to devote themselves to scientific disciplines, she said in a statement in a video released by the company.
“I’m excited to inspire the next generation of girls with STEM careers and I hope girls who see Barbie realize how important science careers are to helping the world.” That “everyone can get what they want in life”.
In this sense, the Barbie brand will donate to WISE, chosen by Gilbert, dedicated to promoting women in science and engineering through the My Skills My Life campaign, which is working to increase the proportion of women in the UK – currently 24% – in leadership positions in science disciplines .
“It’s my dream to have my doll show girls a career they probably didn’t know or exist, like being a vaccination doctor,” Gilbert said, adding that his family and friends find it “funny” that he now has a Barbie. A doll in your honor.
Along with this scientist, Barbie acknowledged five other professionals from the world of science and health disciplines who have worked “courageously and persistently” in the fight against COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic.
