Co-developed AstraZeneca vaccine becomes Barbie

Professor Gilbert at first thought it was a “weird idea”: a Barbie doll that looked like her. But if it inspired young girls to choose Stem’s education more often, she would agree. Gilbert can be said to inspire then. Earlier this year, she was knighted for her contribution to the development of the AstraZeneca vaccine: the professor led the team dedicated to developing coronavirus vaccines at Oxford University.

Five inspiring women

Gilbert isn’t the only Barbie doll parent company that launched Mattel now: Five women in the Stem professions got their own doll: Amy O’Sullivan – who nursed the first virus patient in New York – Kirby White – who wore doctor’s coats in Australia – Dr. Canadian activist Dr. Chica Stacy Orewa and Brazilian biomedical researcher Jacqueline Joyce de Jesus each get their own doll.

Not in game stores

“Barbie recognizes that all frontline workers have made huge sacrifices. (…) We want to highlight their achievements by sharing their stories,” Mattel said. “To inspire a new generation to be like these heroes and give back,” the company said in a press release.

However, Barbie dolls are not available in toy stores, it is an “token” doll that every woman gets from the company.