THE RISE OF DR. KIZZMEKIA CORBETT

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett was born Kizzmekia (Kizzy) Shanta Corbett on January 26, 1986 in Hurdle North Carolina. At an early age, her middle school teacher predicted she would do “something one day.” Why? Because she was a student who always knew how to dot “i’s and cross t’s.” While this writer may not agree with the basis of such a prophesy, it is agreed that young Kizzy turned out to be “something!”

As a high school teen, Kizzy knew her world revolved around science. She even spent a summer working in the Lab of the University of Carolina with Organic Chemist James Morkin. What kid wants to spent the summer that way?

EDUCATION FIRST

After graduating from high school, Corbett received a Bachelor of Science Degree in biological science and sociology from the University of Maryland. In 2014, she earned a PHD in microbiology and immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her doctoral studies included studying antibodies at Sri Lanka. Kizzy’s mission in life had begun.

THE MISSION OF DR. KIZZMEKIA CORBETT

The goal of Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is to help people. Her manner is warm; her demeanor humble. One would never guess the scientific experience and research knowledge she has packed way under the locks on her head. She reaches out to people . . . a social skill-set she perhaps developed growing up in a large family. This reaching out has served her well.

Over a six-year period Dr. Corbett’s mission has been clear: fight disease. First, she studied how antibodies in the human body are used to fight respiratory diseases; secondly, she found a simple way to make a protein so that it could be more easily manufactured; and thirdly, she and her team at the National Institute of Health focused on the development of vaccines to fight many coronaviruses.

CONVID 19 CAME CALLING

At the onset of Covid 19, Dr. Corbett and her team began working on a vaccine to protect humans from coronavirus disease. To manufacture it, they partnered with Moderna. Over a week-end, Dr. Kizzy created the Moderna Vaccine. She was ready!

Millions of people are grateful to Dr. Kizzy. Her ingenuity, skill, research and tenacity will fill many medical history books. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett: We salute you!