News

November 2024  |  Article published in Nature!

Very proud to announce the publication of our article in Nature. This study is the result of a fun and fruitful collaboration with several labs in the United States, Denmark, Spain, Uganda, and Tanzania. Together, we have isolated and characterized monoclonal antibodies that inhibit binding of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to the lining of blood vessels. Many thanks and congratulations to all co-authors! 

PDF  |  News & Views article

News coverage: UT Health SA, The Microbiologist, EurekAlert!, Lundbeck Funden (Danish)


October 2024  |  New Bunnik lab publication!


We're extremely excited that our article on long-lived memory B cell responses to different Plasmodium falciparum antigens has been published in PLOS Pathogens.

July 2024  |  We are looking for motivated people to join our lab!

We are currently working on multiple fascinating projects, ranging from (i) understanding regulation of malaria parasite gene expression to (ii) identifying antibodies that can prevent severe malaria or (iii) understanding the role of atypical B cells in malaria and rheumatoid arthritis. For more details on these projects, visit our research page.

PhD students, postdocs and technicians who are interested in joining our lab, can email Dr. Bunnik to schedule a meeting. 

July 2024  |  Jake's T32 appointment


PhD student Jake Moore received an appointment on the COSTAR T32 training grant for a year starting Sep 1, 2024. 

July 2024  |  Rolando's F30 award


MD/PhD student Rolando Garza was awarded an NIH F30 Ruth L. Kirschstein individual predoctoral fellowship for his research on the localization of and immune response to the parasite antigen Pf3D7_1136200. Congratulations!! 

November 2023  |  Caroline's graduation

Caroline Torres successfully defended her master's thesis on the localization of the PfARMA in Plasmodium falciparum parasites.

Congratulations, Caroline!

September 2023  |  New lab member!

Jake Moore officially joined the lab as a second year PhD student.

Welcome, Jake!

June 2023  |  Goodbye lunch

We received very special gifts from Raphael and Rodriel today during the farewell lunch at an Ethiopian restaurant.

We absolutely love the presents! Safe travels to both of you and let's stay in touch!

May 2023  |  Hooding ceremony

Raphael Reyes receiving his hood
by Dr. Bunnik for completing his doctorate.

Congratulations, Dr. Reyes. A beautiful photograph of a very special moment. 

May 2023  |  Hooding ceremony

A very special day that we'll never forget! Many congratulations, Rodriel and Raphael! 

May 2023  |  New funding

Dr. Bunnik was awarded a three-year, $450,000 grant from the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund to study the role of atypical B cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients. We are grateful for their support.


Conditions of chronic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis and malaria, result in the accumulation of atypical B cells that have an unclear role in the immune response. We will study these cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients using single-cell sequencing and flow cytometry to understand their contribution to pathogenesis.  

May 2023  |  Student graduations

Rodriel Bautista successfully defended his master’s thesis describing his work on the Plasmodium falciparum transcription factor AP2-L. Congratulations, Rodriel!


One day later, Raphael Reyes defended his PhD thesis on B cell responses in malaria-experienced individuals. Raphael will join the Batista lab at the Ragon Institute as a postdoctoral fellow. Congratulations and best of luck in the next phase of your scientific career, Raphael! 

March 2023  |  Promotion

I am excited to announce that my application for promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure has been approved and will be effective September 1, 2023. Many thanks to all mentors, trainees, and not in the least my husband for his unwavering support and belief in my abilities. I could not have done this alone! 

November 2022  |  Ashley's graduation

364 days after Jake Gonzales, Ashley Braddom Reers successfully defended her Ph.D. thesis. Afterwards, we celebrated with colleagues, friends and family, who travelled from afar to witness this special event. It was delightful having you in our lab, Ashley; you will be missed. We wish you and your family all the best in the future. 

March 2022  |  Funding news

Raphael Reyes was awarded a highly prestigious NIH F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein predoctoral individual fellowship for his research on B cell responses to the CIDRa1 domains that are involved in the development of severe malaria. Congratulations to Raphael for this fantastic achievement! 


The lab was awarded an NIH research supplement to promote diversity in health-related research that will support Rolando Garza for the next two years.

May 2022  |  Student successes

Congratulations to Elizabeth Martinez-Scholze for successfully defending her master's thesis on “the acquisition of breadth in antibodies that target Plasmodium falciparum CIDRα1 variants”!


Congratulations to Raphael Reyes for receiving the UT Health Science Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences 2022 Outstanding PhD Student Research Award! This award recognizes his outstanding record of research accomplishments over the past year and his ability to thrive in a changing environment.

November 2021  |  Jake's graduation

On November 16, 2021, Jake Gonzales successfully defended his thesis on “Plasmodium-specific B cell responses in malaria-susceptible children and malaria-immune adults”. Jake is the first Ph.D. student to graduate from the Bunnik lab. Congratulations to Jake for completing this milestone in his career! 

July 2021  |  New lab member

Rotating student Rolando Garza will join the lab for his graduate research. Two years ago he was admitted to the prestigious South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD Program). Welcome to the Bunnik lab, Rolando! 

June 2021  |  Lab fun

The Bunnik lab had a fun day today! We went kayaking on Medina Lake and enjoyed some great Dutch food afterwards while playing games at the Bunnik residence. 

May 2021  |  Katie's graduation

Congratulations to Katie Clarke for successfully defending her master's thesis. She was an outstanding master student and we are delighted she will continue to work in the Bunnik lab for at least a few more months as a Research Assistant.


We also want to congratulate her with winning the award for best poster presentation at the Robert A. Clark Frontiers of Translational Science Research Day. 

March 2021  |  Ashley's award

Graduate student Ashley Braddom has been selected as the 2021 Presidential Ambassador for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Congratulations on winning this prestigious scholarship award!  

February 2021  |  Funding news

Dr. Bunnik was awarded her first R01 titled Defining conserved epitopes on polymorphic malaria antigens, which will fund the lab for the next five years. 

May 2020  |  In the news

In the media: Angelo State alumnus Jake Gonzales combating the COVID-19 virus.


Click the image to read the news article. 

November 2019  |  Presentation award

Ashley won 1st place for best oral presentation at the 8th Annual Vaccine Development Center of San Antonio Conference on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 November, 2019. Congratulations Ashley! 

San Antonio, TX | 2024