Dear Readers,

Not long ago, I was at my nephew Gabriel's school for a science fair, something I've loved since I was a kid. It was the usual mix of excitement, with projects ranging from homemade volcanoes to robots navigating mazes. While I was there, I overheard a young girl, probably about ten, passionately explaining her science project to anyone who'd listen. She had this spark in her eyes that I recognized. But then, she said something that really hit home for me: "I wish I knew more scientists who looked like me."

It was such a simple, honest statement, but it spoke volumes about the role models we present to our kids. That got me thinking about the incredible scientists who aren't in the textbooks but should be. It's why I feel it's so important to talk about people like Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett. Her path from a small town to a leading scientist in the fight against COVID-19 isn't just impressive; it's a reminder that science is for everyone, no matter where you come from or what you look like.

Seeing someone like Dr. Corbett break through and make such important contributions to science matters a lot to me—and, I think, to society as well. We need to celebrate and support the diversity that truly drives innovation and progress in science! Dr. Corbett’s story, from her early days in rural North Carolina to becoming a key player in developing a COVID-19 vaccine, is the perfect example of why breaking these barriers is so crucial. Her journey lights the way for others, showing that with passion, hard work, and a bit of support, the sky's the limit.

🌟 Key Highlights of Dr. Corbett's Visionary Journey 🌟 

- Roots of Genius: 

  - Background: Grew up in rural North Carolina, where she developed an early passion for science and medicine.

  - Challenge Overcome: Faced and surpassed the barriers typical for a Black woman in STEM, fueled by unwavering determination.

- 💡 Spearheading the Fight Against COVID-19 💡

  - Role: Senior research fellow and scientific lead at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' Vaccine Research Center.

  - Achievement: Played a pivotal role in developing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, leveraging her expertise on spike proteins.

  - Impact: Her work provided a crucial tool in combating the global pandemic, marking a significant leap in public health and vaccine development.

- 🚀 Empowering Future Generations 🚀

  - Inspiration for Women of Color in STEM: Stands as a beacon of hope and possibility, demonstrating that the field is not only accessible but also leadable by women of color.

  - Community Engagement: Actively works to demystify science and build trust in vaccines, especially within minority communities, through education and advocacy.

  - Legacy: Her success challenges the status quo and promotes a more inclusive and diverse scientific community.

I honestly would like for my legacy to be that I inspire girls so much that they are inspired to be better than me and more successful than me.

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Why Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett's Work Matters: 

- Innovation: Demonstrated through the rapid development of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.

- Representation: Provides a much-needed role model for young Black women and girls in science, showing them that they too can achieve greatness in STEM fields.

- Community Impact: Goes beyond the lab to engage with and educate the public, ensuring her scientific achievements translate into societal benefits.

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Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett's path from being a curious kid with big dreams in rural North Carolina to becoming a leading immunologist at the forefront of fighting a global pandemic is truly inspiring. Her work goes way beyond just her scientific discoveries. She's also breaking down barriers for the next generation and building trust in science across all kinds of communities. Dr. Corbett shows us what it means to be a visionary in today's world, pushing us all to dream bigger, aim higher, and work harder.

As we applaud Dr. Corbett's incredible work, let's also take a moment to think about the people in our own lives who have pushed us to follow our dreams.

Who has motivated you to chase your dreams? I'd love for you to share these stories with me. Let's keep lifting each other up, inspired by visionaries like Dr. Corbett.

Let's celebrate the innovators among us, leading the way to a brighter and more inclusive future.

S.A. Sterling

References:

Summit Leadership. (n.d.). Reaching the summit: Leadership lessons from historical greats - Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett. Retrieved from https://www.summitleadership.com/reaching-the-summit-leadership-lessons-from-historical-greats-dr-kizzmekia-corbett/

HealthyWomen. (n.d.). 15 minutes with Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Ph.D. Retrieved from https://www.healthywomen.org/your-care/expert-perspectives/15-minutes-with-kizzmekia-s-corbett-ph-d

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Kizzmekia Corbett. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kizzmekia_Corbett

Blanco, L. (2020, April 3). Prior to COVID-19, Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett was formulating success as a black woman in science. Black Enterprise. Retrieved from https://www.blackenterprise.com/prior-to-covid-19-dr-kizzmekia-corbett-was-formulating-success-as-a-black-woman-in-science/

Ross, J. (2020, April 13). Working on coronavirus vaccine trials, Kizzmekia Corbett is ‘not your average’ scientist. NBCNews.com. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/scientist-kizzmekia-corbett-leads-way-covid-19-vaccine-trials-dedication-n1181626

CBS Morning. (2022, March 16). Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett on changing the game in science [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRrgMJtxXvg