Who is Sarah Gilbert?

Professor Sarah Gilbert is a leading expert in biological sciences and has had several breakthroughs, majorly in developing vaccines for dangerous diseases. 

According to the official website of Oxford University, Gilbert “has been making and testing vaccines designed to induce T cell responses” for more than a decade now. Moreover, a significant number of vaccines have also made it to clinical trials.

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Gilbert, United Kingdom’s very own vaccine developer and leading medical scientist, will now share a pedestal with stars like Marilyn Monroe and Beyonce, which is getting a Barbie doll designed for herself, according to US media reports.

The prominent expert in medicine is a professor at the renowned Oxford Univesity in Britain and is one of the co-developers of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is being widely used around the world to tackle the pandemic.

Toy producing giant Mattel is honouring the 59-year-old by including her Barbie doll in its new range, which has been tagged as “the role model”.

The upcoming Barbie doll series, which features Gilbert’s figure, has reportedly aptly caught the details to make the doll resemble the British vaccine expert. The doll will feature oversized black glasses, a pantsuit and a blouse. The outfit will have a combination of navy blue and white colour, which is considered to be Gilbert’s signature style. Moreover, her long auburn hair will also be featured on the doll.

In an interview for the toy producing company Mattel, Gilbert said, “It is a very strange concept having a Barbie doll created in my likeness”, according to reports from CNN.

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She further spoke about her hope of more girls being inspired by the Barbie doll and further urged them to take up careers in the medical and scientific fields.

Many other individuals are included in the “role model” range of Barbie dolls, most of whom have had a significant and symbolic part to play in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.