Notice During the Covid-19 Outbreak

In solidarity, we at the Interfaith Peace Project stand together in these times of heart break and upset. Some of you may have lost friends or family members. Some of you may have lost your job and your income; some may be working overtime to help with the crisis. Some of you may be home and alone and some may be trying to figure out a new way to live. Please let us know how we can help. If you would like a phone appointment with any of us, give us a call. You may call or email Tom at:

Tom Bonacci
[email protected]
925-787- 9279
_________________________________

June 8, 2021

KIZZMEKIA CORBET
Central to the Development of the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine
Continuing Our Monthly Celebration of
International Women’s Day

Kizzmekia (Kizzy) Corbett is an American viral immunologist who was instrumental in the development of the Corona Vaccine. Kizzy earned her PHD in microbiology and immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2014. In 2014, she was appointed to the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health based in Bethesda Maryland. According to Dr. Fauci, Kizzy Corbett has “been central to the development of the Moderna mRNA vaccine…As a result, her work will have a substantial impact on ending the worst respiratory disease pandemic in more than 100 years.” (Time, February 17, 2021)

In October 2014, Kizzy began studying the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and host immunity specifically focusing on the development of novel vaccines for coronaviridae. She worked with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) vaccine antigens. She developed a way to make spike proteins that are stabilized in a conformation that makes them more immunogenic and more easily manufactured.

In 2020, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, she transitioned to working on a vaccine for Covid-19. Since the Covid-19 virus is similar to severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus, which she had already studied, she and her team were prepared to follow through with the development of a vaccine. Her prior research suggested that messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding S protein could be used to get the human immune response to produce protective antibodies against Covid-19 disease. Corbett’s team became partners with the biotechnology company, Moderna, and the mRNA vaccine became a reality. Due to the previous work done with SARS and MERS, the vaccine trial entered Phase 1 Clinical Trials only 66 days after the release of the viral sequence.

++++++++++++

The Interfaith Peace Project once again expresses its gratitude to Kizzmekia Corbett and all the people who continue the battle against the pandemic. In this time of division and upheaval it is more than comforting to realize the people of science, courage, service, and compassion who come to the aid of the peoples of the World. Let us be inspired by Kizzmekia and honor her person and work in our efforts to bring aid and comfort to all suffering peoples.