Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett: The Scientist Who Gave the World a Fighting Chance
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Imagine standing on the brink of a global pandemic, knowing you might hold the key to stopping it. Imagine that amid all this pressure, you're a young Black scientist in a field where the contributions of individuals from underserved groups can often be overlooked But instead of being discouraged, you’re driven by determination and a deep sense of purpose. That’s exactly what happened to Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, whose groundbreaking work would help save millions of lives.
It was early 2020, and COVID-19 had just begun its deadly sweep across the globe. Panic was in the air, but for Dr. Corbett, a viral immunologist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this was the moment she had been preparing for. Having spent years studying coronaviruses and working with an unproven technology called mRNA, she was ready to step up and meet the challenge head-on.
A Journey from Humble Beginnings to Scientific Stardom
Dr. Kizzmekia “Kizzy” Corbett was born in Hurdle Mills, North Carolina, a small rural community. Her teachers saw her potential and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. By the time she was in high school at Hillsborough High School, she was already deeply interested in science, and her participation in a summer research program for gifted students in underserved communities only fueled that passion.
Corbett’s hard work paid off and she earned a full scholarship to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Here she majored in biological sciences and was part of the prestigious Meyerhoff Scholars Program, which supports talented students from underserved communities who pursue STEM careers. Corbett’s love for research blossomed and during her time at UMBC, she began to explore the world of infectious diseases.
Her journey didn’t stop there. After graduating, Corbett went on to earn her PhD in microbiology and immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she focused on dengue fever.
Preparing for the Unthinkable: Years of Research on Coronaviruses
By the time Dr. Corbett joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a research fellow, she had already gained years of experience studying viral immunology. One of her main goals was to develop a novel coronavirus vaccine that could prevent respiratory viruses from wreaking havoc on human populations. SCoronaviruses had already caused two major outbreaks—severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012. Though these outbreaks were serious, they didn’t reach the global scale of what was to come in 2020. Nevertheless, Corbett knew that another coronavirus outbreak was possible, and she dedicated herself to understanding how these viruses infected the body and how the immune system responded to them.
Along with her mentor Dr. Barney Graham and the rest of the NIH team, Corbett worked on studying the spike protein—the part of the coronavirus that allows it to enter human cells. The spike protein became the key target for vaccine development, and Corbett was instrumental in understanding how to design a vaccine that could train the immune system to recognize and attack this protein before the virus could cause an infection.
The mRNA Revolution: A New Way to Make Vaccines
For years, Dr. Corbett and her colleagues have been exploring an experimental technology called mRNA. While traditional vaccines use weakened or inactivated viruses to train the immune system, mRNA vaccines work differently. Instead of using the actual virus, an mRNA molecule carries instructions that tell the body’s cells to produce a piece of the virus, like the spike protein. Once this protein is made, the immune system recognizes it as foreign and builds defenses against it. If the person is later exposed to the real virus, the immune system is ready to fight it off.
The idea of using mRNA to create vaccines had been around for a while, but it was considered risky and unproven. mRNA is fragile, and it breaks down quickly in the body, making it difficult to deliver to cells. However, recent advances in biotechnology have made it possible to stabilize mRNA using lipid nanoparticles—tiny fat bubbles that protect the mRNA long enough to reach its target.
Corbett and her team at the NIH were among the first to apply this mRNA technology to coronavirus vaccines. As the world watched COVID-19 spread like wildfire, Corbett’s team was already hard at work developing a prototype vaccine. Within weeks of the COVID-19 virus’s genetic sequence being published, they had designed an mRNA vaccine for a clinical trial to test its ability to trigger an immune response against the virus.
From Lab to Lives: The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
In partnership with biotechnology company Moderna, Corbett’s team worked to test the vaccine. Usually, vaccine development takes years, but thanks to decades of preparation and Corbett’s expertise, they were able to get the vaccine ready for clinical trials in record time. This vaccine, which would later become known as the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, was one of the first mRNA vaccines ever approved for emergency use.
What made this vaccine so groundbreaking was not just how fast it was developed, but how innovative the technology was. The mRNA-based vaccine didn’t require injecting a weakened virus, but instead, it taught the body how to fight off the virus by producing the spike protein. This was a completely new approach to vaccine development, and it worked better than anyone could have imagined.
A Role Model for the Next Generation: Dr. Corbett’s Legacy
Dr. Corbett didn’t just help develop a vaccine; she became a powerful voice for science, especially in underserved communities and among communities of color. Throughout the pandemic, she spoke openly about the importance of vaccine awareness and addressed the historical mistrust that many minority groups have toward the medical establishment.
Corbett used her platform to inspire young scientists, especially African Americans and women, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). She became a role model for the next generation of scientists, showing them that with determination, hard work, and a commitment to making a difference, they too could help change the world.
Her groundbreaking work has earned her numerous awards, including the Benjamin Franklin Next Gen Award, the Golden Goose Award, and the Key of Life Award She has been recognized not only for her scientific achievements but also for her dedication to mentoring young scientists and advocating for pandemic preparedness.
Preparing for Future Pandemics: A Lifelong Commitment
While the COVID-19 vaccines have been a monumental success, Dr. Corbett’s work is far from over. She continues to focus on developing vaccines for other deadly viruses, including universal vaccines that could protect against multiple types of coronaviruses and influenza viruses. Her goal is to ensure that the world is better prepared for future pandemics so that we don’t have to face the same challenges again.
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett’s story, however, is about more than just developing a vaccine—it’s about how preparation meets opportunity. Her work has saved millions of lives and has shown the world that science when driven by passion and persistence, can achieve the impossible. Dr. Corbett's contributions will continue to shape the future of vaccine research and pandemic preparedness for generations to come. Ultimately, Dr. Corbett reminds us that true breakthroughs don’t happen overnight. They are the result of years of hard work, dedication, and, most importantly, a deep belief in the potential of science to solve even the most challenging problems.
Check out these resources to learn more about Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett:
"Academic Profiles: Kizzmekia S Corbett-Helaire." Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, www.hsph.harvard.edu/profile/kizzmekia-s-corbett/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2024.
"Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Ph.D." American Society for Microbiology, www.asm.org/biographies/kizzmekia-s-corbett,-ph-d. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
Buchanan, Florence. "Helped Develop COVID Vaccine." The Monroe News, 26 Feb. 2021, www.monroenews.com/story/news/2021/02/26/kizzmekia-kizzy-shanta-corbett-helped-develop-covid-vaccine/4565437001/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2024.
, Janell. "Working on Coronavirus Vaccine Trials, Kizzmekia Corbett is 'Not Your Average' Scientist." NBC News, www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/scientist-kizzmekia-corbett-leads-way-covid-19-vaccine-trials-dedication-n1181626. Accessed 29 Oct. 2024.