Barbie modelled after British Covid-19 vaccine developer

Team Udayavani, Aug 4, 2021, 1:05 PM IST

Barbie debuted a doll in the likeliness of British coronavirus vaccine developer Sarah Gilbert. She now shares the honor with Beyonce, Marilyn Monroe and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Gilbert is a 59-year-old professor at Oxford University and co-developer of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. She is one of six women in the COVID-19 fight who have new Barbies modeled after them.

Mattel Inc recognized the women and came up with a line of Barbie “role model” dolls.

Gilbert’s Barbie features long auburn hair and oversized black glasses, wearing a sensible navy blue pantsuit and white blouse.

In an interview for Mattel, Gilbert said, “It’s a very strange concept having a Barbie doll created in my likeness.”

She added, “I hope it will be part of making it more normal for girls to think about careers in science.”