Melanie Ivarsson awarded OBE in New Year Honours List

Melanie, who is based in the US, is Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Moderna and led clinical trials to develop one of the world’s first COVID vaccines.

She said at the time: “We are trying to save the world and it’s a very exciting way to spend your day.” She was heartened by the scientific community’s response to fighting the pandemic. “Every day I’m really full of hope.  Just the way we have come together as an industry.  We are sharing our data, we’re working so collaboratively.  It’s just the most extraordinary experience to be a part of.  So I’m very, very hopeful and incredibly proud of what we are doing.”

The company is currently working on an Omicron-specific booster shot, which will be ready by late 2022. Its scientists are also exploring ways of using the mRNA technology that helped Covid-19 vaccines succeed to develop a universal flu vaccine with higher efficacy rates than those currently available.

Melanie is due to visit LEH in March to give the Goswell Lecture to current pupils.