Image source, Mattel/Michael Bowles Image caption,

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is to get a Barbie Role Model for her work promoting science careers to girls

By Sonia Kataria

BBC News

A space scientist, best known for presenting BBC One's The Sky at Night and CBeebies Stargazing, is to be honoured with a Barbie doll.

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock has been named as a Barbie Role Model for her work promoting science careers to girls.

It comes ahead of International Women's Day on 8 March and British Science Week from 10-19 March.

"I hope my doll will remind girls that when you reach for the stars, anything is possible," she said.

The astronomer became University of Leicester's new chancellor earlier this month.

Dr Aderin-Pocock said she fell "in love with the idea of space travel" as a young girl and had since spent her career "trying to show girls how fascinating space science can be".

"I want to inspire the next generation of scientists, and especially girls, and let them know that STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths] is for them," she said.