Facundo D. Batista PhD

Dr. Facundo D. Batista is the Phillip T. and Susan M. Ragon Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Harvard Medical School and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard. He also serves as the first Associate Director of the Ragon Institute and Chief Scientific Officer.

Dr. Batista is a world leader in the study of B-cell immunology and antibody responses. Historically, his group has focused on understanding B-cell receptor (BCR) function, including BCR signaling dynamics, inhibitory and stimulatory regulation by co-receptors, and interactions with the cortical cytoskeleton. These studies have challenged the previous conception of BCR activation as a mere receptor-ligand interaction by elucidating the complex interplay of membrane components that influence BCR function. Dr. Batista has also investigated B-cell activation in vivo, including the location of B cells during and after antigen recognition and how they interact with other cells. These insights will lead to improved methodologies for boosting B-cell responses in human disease.