HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-19-2021; 4-b - Proclamation Honoring Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: January 19, 2021
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Proclamation Honoring Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Commissioner Renee Price, 919-245-
2130
Greg Wilder, 919-245-2300
PURPOSE: To consider a proclamation honoring Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett for her role in the
development of a vaccine to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND: Kizzmekia S. Corbett, PhD, is currently a research fellow in the Viral
Pathogenesis Laboratory at the National Institutes of Health [NIH], National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases [NIAID], Vaccine Research Center.
Dr. Corbett grew up in the Cedar Grove community of Orange County, North Carolina, and
attended Orange County Schools during which time she spent two summers in the Project SEED
Summer Intern program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, with a secondary major in
Sociology, in 2008 from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Dr. Corbett earned her
Doctorate of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill in 2014.
Dr. Corbett was subsequently appointed to the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory in 2014, and has
focused her work on developing novel coronavirus vaccines, including mRNA-1273, which has
become a primary vaccine against the virus that causes COVID-19.
in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Corbett and her team designed the vaccine concept
incorporated in mRNA-1273 from viral sequence and rapidly deployed to Moderna, Inc., for FDA-
approved Phase 1 clinical trial, which began only 66 days from the viral sequence release, and
was shown to be 94.1% effective in Phase 3 trial and received Emergency Use Authorization from
the FDA.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with consideration of the proclamation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with consideration of the proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the attached proclamation honoring Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett for her role in the
development of a vaccine to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
HONORING DR. KIZZMEKIA S. CORBETT
WHEREAS, Kizzmekia S. Corbett, PhD, is currently a research fellow in the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory
at the National Institutes of Health [NIH], National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [NIAID],
Vaccine Research Center; and
WHEREAS, Kizzmekia Corbett, raised in the Cedar Grove community of Orange County, North Carolina,
attended Orange County Schools during which time she spent two summers in the Project SEED Summer
Intern program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, thus becoming a testament to her innate
abilities and to the value of investing in the education of youth; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Corbett received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, with a secondary major in
Sociology, in 2008 from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, where she was a Meyerhoff Scholar
and an NIH undergraduate scholar; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Corbett earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2014; and
WHEREAS, a viral immunologist by training, Dr. Corbett was appointed to the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory
in 2014, and has focused her work on developing novel coronavirus vaccines, including mRNA-1273, which
has become a primary vaccine against the virus that causes COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Corbett and her team designed the vaccine concept
incorporated in mRNA-1273 from viral sequence and rapidly deployed to Moderna, Inc., for FDA-approved
Phase 1 clinical trial, which began only 66 days from the viral sequence release, and was shown to be 94.1%
effective in Phase 3 trial and received Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Corbett has received numerous honors, awards and fellowships, has been a keynote
speaker and invited lecturer at universities, medical schools and research centers across the nation, and has
published as a co-author, senior author and first author; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Corbett has been acknowledged by Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIAID Director, for her research and
successful results in the development of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, and is now receiving national
acclaim; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Corbett is an active member of the NIH Fellows Committee, an advocate of STEM education
and vaccine awareness, and a mentor, and engages in outreach to African American youth and adults;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, on behalf of the people of Orange
County, does hereby proclaim this day, Wednesday, January 20, 2021 as
DR. KIZZMEKIA S. CORBETT DAY
in recognition of her remarkable accomplishments in the sciences and medicine, in acknowledgement of her
unprecedented research and success in thwarting a life-threatening pandemic, and in honor of her
compassionate dedication to the health, safety and well-being of humanity.
This the 19'h day of January, 2021.
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners