The Bunnik lab is committed to maintaining and promoting an inclusive working and
learning environment where people—
and
service dogs—feel safe, supported, and
comfortable to be themselves, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, cultural
background, gender (identity), sexual orientation, health, age, place of birth, etc.
Of our past and current trainees, 62% (16/26) are members of groups underrepresented
in science, and 69% (18/26) identify as women. We try to lead by example to improve
diversity and inclusion in our own lab, but also in the department and institution.
We promote a better representation of seminar speakers from underrepresented
groups in science to provide our diverse student population with more role
models and networking opportunities with potential mentors.
In the spring 2022 semester, Dr. Bunnik invited parasitologists Dr. Heather Painter
and Dr. Regina Joice Cordy. In the spring 2021 and fall 2020 semesters, Dr. Bunnik
invited immunologist Dr. Marion Pepper and immunoparasitologist Dr. De’Broski
Herbert.
As a member of the Admissions Committee of the IBMS Ph.D. program, Dr. Bunnik
often advocates to offer interviews and acceptances to students from groups
underrepresented in science. Since 2022, she has also nominated three
Black applicants for a $5,000 Dean’s award for accepting our offer to enroll into
the IBMS Ph.D. program.
Dr. Bunnik has advocated for inviting female speakers to local conferences and
symposia, such as cancer immunologist Dr. Stephanie Watowich who was the
keynote speaker at the Annual Conference of the Vaccine
Development Center of San Antonio in November 2023.
In the fall of 2023, Dr. Bunnik received a University of Texas Health
Star Educator Award,
partially in recognition of her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. From the anonymous nomination submission: “Dr. Bunnik has shown a commitment to fostering curiosity, humanism, diversity, equity, and inclusion through her advocacy work and curriculum design. For instance, she (…) is active in her advocacy for diversity, inclusion, and equity at UT Health and beyond, using her platform as a scientist and educator to support students, faculty, and the community. This initiative reflects Dr. Bunnik’s dedication to creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.”
