Marketing director at Mattel UK Kelly Philp said: “We know that, globally, Stem is a field widely recognised as under-representing women, so, as a brand, Barbie is committed to showing girls more Stem careers.” Meanwhile earlier this year Radio 1 presenter Clara Amfo unveiled a Barbie doll in her image. Known for fighting racial inequality and championing women’s rights, Amfo’s Barbie was released ahead of International Women’s Day in March. On June 4, 2022, Echazarreta lifted off on a 10-minute suborbital spaceflight on Blue Origin's New Shepard launch vehicle. In addition to being the first Mexican-born woman to cross the boundary between Earth and space, Echazarreta was also the first "citizen astronaut" to fly in a seat sponsored by the non-profit Space for Humanity. Katya Echazarreta holds out the Barbie doll created in her likeness after being honored as a STEM role model. (Image credit: Mattel) Is there an official scientist Barbie doll? Yes, there is. Mermaid Barbie Image credit: Warner Bros. Studios

Is there an official lawyer Barbie doll? Curiously, apparently not. Hey, Mattel, what’s that all about…? President Barbie Image credit: Warner Bros. Studios A former NASA engineer who became the first Mexican-born woman to fly into space now has a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll attesting to her being a role model for the next generation of scientists and explorers. We do often have these stereotypical images of what people do, and I like to smash those stereotypes whenever I get the opportunity.In the 63 years since she first appeared, Barbara Millicent Roberts — Barbie to her friends — has had plenty of careers, and plenty of looks… many of which are celebrated in the upcoming Barbie movie, with a whole host of actors joining Margot Robbie to bring the multiple incarnations of Barbie to celluloid life. But which Barbie variant is which? And how many of them are based on real Barbie dolls from the toy line’s past? Is there an official doctor Barbie doll? Yes, there is. Lawyer Barbie Image credit: Warner Bros. Studios

Image: Barbie has created dolls based on a number of women who have worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a child growing up I played with Barbies, and I still do now with my daughter. When I was little, Barbie didn’t look like me, so to have one created in my likeness is mind-boggling. It’s such an honour to receive this doll that is celebrating my achievements… My daughter and I danced around the living room when we heard!” Currently, Echazarreta is pursuing her master's in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. She is also helping inspire girls and young women through her TV appearances and on her TikTok channel, where her videos have been viewed millions of times. Biomedical researcher Dr Jacqueline Goes de Jesus, who is credited for leading the sequencing of the genome of a COVID-19 variant in Brazil.I went to 13 different schools growing up, and was placed in remedial classes because of my dyslexia. But I always dreamed big. Now, I’m a space scientist, the chancellor of the University of Leicester, a presenter of the BBC’s The Sky at Night, and a Barbie – something I’m especially proud of, as it just shows how far we’ve come. Plus, we share a birthday (9 March, the day I was born and she was unveiled at the New York Toy Fair), so it feels like it was meant to be.

I want to inspire the next generation of scientists, and especially girls, and let them know that Stem (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is for them. These subjects are just too important to be left to the guys because, through science, you can literally change the world.I hope my doll will remind girls that, when you reach for the stars, anything is possible.” Thank you Barbie for inviting me to be a part of the role models campaign!" said Echazarreta in a social media post on Tuesday. "I used to play with my dolls and pretend they were traveling the galaxy!"Barbie is also making a donation to Prof Gilbert's chosen organisation, Women in Science and Engineering, which runs an outreach resource created to inspire girls to consider a career in STEM.