Makinson (left) and Bissett (Photo: Bulgari)
Bulgari is collaborating with the University of Oxford in the battle against Covid-19 and future pandemics by financially supporting two Doctor of Philosophy students who are focused on vaccine research. The students who have been appointed as the inaugural Bulgari Scholars are Cameron Bissett and Rebecca Makinson from The Jenner Institute, a world-leading vaccine development group.
Oxford’s professor of vaccinology Sarah Gilbert says, “We are very grateful to Bulgari who have enabled Cameron and Rebecca to focus on their vital research free from financial worry. I hope these students are the first of many more future cohorts of Bulgari Scholars.”
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Bissett is a 2020 graduate of Oxford’s Master of Biochemistry degree, and his work will be focused on vaccine studies against respiratory disease, mainly SARS-CoV-2 which is the strain that causes Covid-19. Makinson, who has been a research assistant at The Jenner Institute for the past two years, will focus on in-depth characterisation of the cell-mediated immune response to Covid-19 vaccines. Her research will further benefit from the advanced flow cytometer donated by the Italian luxury brand.
In a virtual meeting with the scholars, which included an in-depth discussion on Oxford’s encouraging Covid-19 vaccine trial progress, CEO of Bulgari Jean-Christophe Babin says, “It is an honour to support the brilliant young scientific minds of tomorrow, Bulgari Scholars Rebecca Makinson and Cameron Bissett and work closely with the world-leading University of Oxford to embrace a common vision in the fight against Covid-19 and future pandemics.”
This article first appeared on Nov 2, 2020 in The Edge Malaysia.
