“My dream is for my doll to show the girls a profession that maybe they weren’t even aware of or that existed, like being a vaccinologist,” Sarah Gilbert said.
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.
Professor of vaccinology at the English University of Oxford, Gilbert initially found the initiative "very strange" but now hopes that it will inspire young women and girls to dedicate themselves to scientific disciplines, she said in a statement in a video released by the company.
"I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers and I hope that girls who see my Barbie realize how vital science careers are to helping the world." said the vaccinologist, who added that "everyone can get what they want in life."
In this sense, the Barbie brand will make a donation to the WISE organization, chosen by Gilbert, which is dedicated to promoting women in science and engineering with the My Skills My Life campaign, which works to increase the percentage of women in the UK – currently 24% – who are in leadership positions in scientific disciplines.
"My dream is that my doll shows the girls a profession that maybe they were not aware or that existed, such as being a vaccinologist," said Gilbert, adding that his family and friends find it "funny" that he now has a Barbie doll in your Honor.
Together with this scientist, Barbie recognized five other professionals from the world of science and health disciplines who have worked “with courage and tenacity” in the fight against covid-19 since the pandemic broke out.