Dr. Corbett uses her viral immunology expertise to propel novel vaccine development for pandemic preparedness, including mRNA-1273, a leading vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine concept incorporated in mRNA-1273 was designed by Dr. Corbett's NIH team from viral sequence and rapidly deployed to industry partner, Moderna, Inc., for Phase 1 clinical trial, which unprecedently began only 66 days from viral sequence release. mRNA-1273 was shown to be 94.1% effective in Phase 3 trial and is authorized for use in multiple countries. Alongside mRNA-1273, Dr. Corbett boasts a patent portfolio which also includes universal coronavirus and influenza vaccine concepts and novel therapeutic antibodies. In all, she has over 15 years of experience studying dengue virus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, and coronaviruses, garnering several prestigious awards, such as the Benjamin Franklin Next Gen Award and the Salzman Memorial Award in Virology. Combining her research goals with her knack for mentorship, Dr. Corbett invests much of her time in underserved communities as an advocator of STEM education and vaccine awareness.
BSc, 2008, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences | Secondary Major in Sociology
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
PhD, 2014, Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC)
Proclamation: “Dr. Kizzmekia ‘Kizzy’ Day” – January 2801-2021
Town of Chapel Hill
Hall of FAME Honoree02-2021
City of Los Angeles
Key of Life Award02-2021
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Benjamin Franklin NextGen Award04-2021
The Franklin Institute
Scroll of Merit Award04-2021
National Medical Association
Dean’s Medal05-2021
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Clinton Global Citizen Award05-2021
Clinton Foundation
Mrs. Rosa Parks Hidden Figure Award06-2021
Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute and the O Museum
Early Career Applied and Biotechnological Research Award08-2020
American Society for Microbiology
Distinguished 400 Award09-2020
400 Years of African American History Commission
Theodore Roosevelt Government Leadership Award10-2020
Government Executive Media Group
NIAID Merit Award11-2020
NHP COVID Vaccine Core
The Golden Goose Award12-2020
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)