Celebrating women and girls in science—plus a historic vaccine in record time

February 11, 2021
It’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, so we have a special tribute to some inspiring women and girls in biotechnology—as well as a Black scientist who realized her dream of going into space. We also help you plan the perfect Valentine’s Day menu. (783…
BIO

It’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, so we have a special tribute to some inspiring women and girls in biotechnology—as well as a Black scientist who realized her dream of going into space. We also help you plan the perfect Valentine’s Day menu. (783 words, 3 minutes, 54 seconds)

 

I am BIO: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

I am BIO: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
 
 

Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day steeped in the purpose of achieving equal access to and participation in science for women and girls globally.

BIO would like to recognize some of the women and girls we know who are developing biotechnology solutions to heal, feed, and fuel people and the planet—and changing our world for the better.

Watch these inspiring “sheroes” tell their stories—and join us in celebrating #WomenInScience #EqualityInScience.

 
 
 
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A historic vaccine in record time

 
 

Exactly one year ago today, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially named the novel coronavirus COVID-19. And while it’s been a rough year, we’ve accomplished quite a lot—and Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) is recognizing it.

In just one year, the global biopharmaceutical industry launched more than 825 R&D programs for vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics targeting COVID-19, with 50% launched in the United States. 

Want to know what's in the COVID-19 pipeline? Check out BIO’s COVID-19 Therapeutic Development Tracker.

And exactly two months ago (December 11), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the first COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, from Pfizer-BioNTech, followed by the vaccine from Moderna one week later.

Today, Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) is introducing a resolution “expressing appreciation and recognition for the scientific, medical, and pharmaceutical community in the historic development of the COVID-19 vaccine in record time.”

The resolution recognizes a few key milestones and players:

  • The emergency use authorization of two COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) in less than one year.
  • The distribution of more than 41 million vaccine doses just one month after authorization.
  • The tens of thousands of Americans who participated in vaccine clinical trials.

What they’re saying: “The ongoing pandemic has been the deadliest and most significant health crisis our country has faced in more than a century,” said Rep. Calvert. “Thanks to an unprecedented effort by the scientific community to develop a safe and effective vaccine, Americans willing to step forward in test trials, and Operation Warp Speed facilitating the process, Americans began receiving COVID vaccines less than a year since the virus first appeared in our country. Not only will this historic effort save lives, but it will allow us to further reopen our economy and resume our lives in a safe manner. I join all Americans in expressing my gratitude and praise for everyone involved with making COVID vaccines a reality.”

BIO agrees—and we thank and congratulate our members and the entire biotech industry for this historic effort. 

Do you have questions about vaccine R&D—and how this moved so quickly? Visit www.COVIDVaccineFacts.org.

 
 
 
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BIO Celebrates Black History Month
Mae Jemison.jpg

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re honoring one particularly inspiring woman in science: Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel into space. 

After graduating high school at 16, she attended Stanford University and Cornell Medical School, where she earned her Doctorate in 1981 and began practicing general medicine. 

But it had always been her dream to go into space—and in 1987, she was accepted to NASA Astronaut Group 12, the first group chosen after the Challenger exploded. In September 1992, Dr. Jemison became the first African American woman to travel into space, making 127 orbits around Earth on space shuttle Endeavor.

She currently leads 100 Year Starship, a joint program of NASA and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to research interstellar travel.

Fun fact! Dr. Jemison was the first real astronaut to appear on an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

 

The perfect biotech Valentine’s Day menu

 
 

Don’t forget—Valentine’s Day is Sunday! If you need to plan an at-home celebration, BIO’s Cornelia Poku has some tips—and explains how biotechnology can help ensure it’s a swoon-worthy day.

“From the romantic meal and champagne toasts to brilliant bouquets, biotechnology is helping protect all the traditions we love”—including on Valentine’s Day, she says.

She’s pulled together a special lockdown menu—and explains how biotech plays a role in bringing food to our tables and making it healthier and more nutritious. (But you’ll have to read the post to get the menu!

The most important ingredient: chocolate. Luckily, biotechnology like gene editing is ensuring that dangerous plant diseases don’t destroy cacao trees—so we can continue to indulge for years to come. 

Read the whole thing.

 
 
 
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BIO Beltway Report
BIO Beltway Report
 
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President Biden’s Thursday: Meeting with U.S. Senators and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to discuss infrastructure, then visiting the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory at NIH. Meanwhile, he had his first conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reports Bloomberg.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: The impeachment trial continues in the Senate, while the House committees continue to work on coronavirus relief.

 
 
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