Scientist's Viral TikTok Quells COVID-19 Vaccine Fears To The Tune Of Megan Thee Stallion
KEY POINTS
- Heather Masson-Forsythe is a PhD candidate whose information-packed dance video went viral in more ways than one
- Other scientists-turned-influencers remixed the lyrics entirely to talk about antibodies and vaccines
- Pfizer's vaccine is expected to receive FDA approval
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and for one biochemist, that means dancing to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Body” with COVID-19 vaccination facts overlaid. The viral video had accumulated nearly 360,000 views on TikTok within a day.
Posted this video on TikTok yesterday and I am drowning in people asking questions. I can answer a lot as a biochemist but would love have people/resources to point followers to who know more. Posting most common questions in this thread and hopefully science Twitter can help! pic.twitter.com/W6wrphftwo
— Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D. (@heycurlytop) December 10, 2020
When “Body” started trending on TikTok, Heather Masson-Forsythe knew she had an opportunity to do some good. She took a break from lab work and put on her dancing sneakers to spread some education about why the COVID-19 vaccine is safe.
Masson-Forsythe’s Twitter account states that she’s a PhD candidate in biochemistry and biophysics with Oregon State University’s Barbar Lab.
This isn’t the first time she’s taken to TikTok in a lab coat, mask and sneakers. Lab work has some downtime, and Masson-Forsythe uses her's to post dance videos that are part ironic humor, part living example that hip-hop and science aren’t mutually exclusive.
She also doesn’t shy away from criticizing people for not following COVID-19 guidelines.
Every young person I know: *stresses constantly about trying not to get at-risk people sick*
— Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D. (@heycurlytop) November 28, 2020
Every gen X or Boomer I know: “anyway so went to this indoor restaurant after church then took your 87yo grandma to a nail salon then we just took turns licking doorknobs and...”
Can’t believe we live in a world where computers have learned how to fold proteins but people still need to be reminded to wash their hands.
— Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D. (@heycurlytop) December 5, 2020
Nor is she alone in her efforts. Raven Baxter is an award-winning scientist and influencer who goes by Raven the Maven, and she posted her own remix of “Body” informing people about COVID-19 vaccines.
I'm sure you've all already seen it, cause it is A BOP but I am not the only science communicator mashing up @theestallion 's Body song for science! I love this account, so recirculating this post! https://t.co/FOmgsHt9gy
— Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D. (@heycurlytop) December 11, 2020
Two COVID-19 vaccines are well on their way to FDA approval. Pfizer’s is set to be approved Dec. 11, with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows telling FDA commissioner to “get the damn vaccines out NOW” or resign.

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