Greek NASA scientist Eleni Antoniadou has received worldwide recognition and honours for her groundbreaking work on lifesaving therapies for artificial organ transplantations, and she’s about to add another to her shelf – a Mattel Barbie Doll created in her image.
The toy company announced a series of dolls to celebrate the 60th anniversary of International Women’s Day on March 8 and to also honour the role of females in all facets of life. It is hoped that the dolls will inspire young girls to follow their dreams by giving them role models that focus on diversity and inclusivity.
The company pointed to Antoniadou’s “achievements in the fields of regenerative medicine and bioastronautics, with an interest in stem cell therapies to regenerate body parts and 3D bioprinting for space applications. She is also an advocate for organ donation, an activist against illegal organ trafficking, and a firm supporter of girls in STEM.”
READ MORE: Eleni Antoniadou’s exclusive interview with Neos Kosmos
The company commends her family for nurturing her curiosity for space and life sciences. A NASA scientist since 2012, the young researcher’s work has explored novel stem cell therapeutics for transplantations, stem cell biobanking, and the effects of space radiation and microgravity. She has collaborated with biotech companies in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. Her efforts in attempting to connect the dots between research, technology policy, and entrepreneurship have been recognised with several academic distinctions and honors.
“Eleni’s motivation stems from the courageous patients she encountered during medical volunteering missions in Latin America. They galvanized her into living a constant reboot phase, not staying idle in successes or failures, but always striving to develop a spirit of altruism,” states Mattel.
