Table of Contents
A behavioral neuroscientist at the University of Richmond is using the enchantment of rats driving tiny cars to promote the COVID-19 vaccine.
Through a program of research during the past several years, UR researchers led by Professor Kelly Lambert have taught rats to drive. When the research was first published in 2019, the rodents garnered a great deal of attention.
“It was a nice way to introduce science to mainstream audiences,” Lambert said. Since the onset of the pandemic, “like many scientists, we've been concerned about how we can change attitudes about science… so that people can make informed decisions about life saving health related behaviors.”
An audience gathered at the University of Richmond on Friday morning to watch Alethia and Sophia the rats race each other. Sophia is Greek for "wisdom," and Alethia is Greek for "truth and evidence," Lambert said.
As part of her vaccine outreach, Lambert thought of ways to persuade people to think about the vaccine in a different light. After studying Smokey the Bear, a non-polarizing figure, she came up with a mascot: Kalo the Hero, a cartoon raccoon that promotes safe COVID behaviors, especially among kids. Kalo has been featured by Scientific American and by the University of Richmond.
“We've got the science, we have the vaccine. Now what's holding us back is this decision making,” said Lambert, who studies rational behavior, decision making and brains. “Every life that is lost because of a decision not to take the vaccine; that's just tragic.”
