From MSU Lab to NIH: Alumna Holly Pringle Begins Postbacc

August 12, 2026 - Shelly DeJong

Holly Pringle graduated in May 2026 and is now working as an Intramural Research Training Award Fellow at the National Institute for Health. As a neuroscience major at MSU, Holly began working with Dr. Alexandra Castillo-Ruiz in her behavioral neuroscience lab. There, she gained skills and passion that gave her the confidence to apply for the NIH position.  

Continue reading to see what Holly is currently up to, how her MSU research experience equipped her for this position, and what advice she has for incoming students. 

 

Tell us about your position with the NIH. 

I chose to work as an Intramural Research Training Award Fellow at the NIH because it is an exceptional opportunity for recent graduates to either maintain or boost their research experience before applying to grad school.  

I’m currently working in the Liver Diseases Branch of the NIDDK, alongside Dr. Barbara Rehermann and other lab members in the immunology section of the branch. Our goal is to better understand how the innate and adaptive immune systems respond to hepatitis viruses and the microbial regulation of these responses in the liver. So far, I’ve been able to process patient blood samples which we then use for DNA extraction and genotyping. And excitingly, I’ve gotten the opportunity to maintain a cell line of liver endothelial cells which we hope to use in future projects. 

 

How did your experience in the Castillo-Ruiz Lab help prepare you for your postbacc? 

The best decision I made at MSU was reaching out to Dr. Castillo-Ruiz in the hopes of joining her lab. Becoming a part of her research team helped me discover a passion for research that I truly don't think I would have found anywhere else. From the very beginning, she supported my growth, both as a scientist and as a person. One thing I especially appreciated about Alex was that, while our research projects were always a priority, she made sure we had opportunities to present at conferences, participate in outreach, and develop beyond the lab. She cared about helping us become well-rounded scientists, not just productive, undergraduate researchers. Without her mentorship, I honestly don't think I would have had the confidence to apply to the NIH as a postbacc fellow, and I am incredibly grateful for my time in Dr. Castillo-Ruiz's lab. The skills, confidence, and passion for science that I gained under her mentorship have shaped who I am today, and I know they'll continue to guide me throughout the rest of my scientific career. 

 

What helped you find your place at MSU?  

What helped me find my place at MSU was finding friends within my major who were taking the same courses as me and who had similar goals for themselves. It always helps to have people around you who can relate to the work you’re doing but also know how to take a step back and have fun. Forcing myself to become more extroverted allowed me to meet some really great people who I now consider to be some of my best friends 

  

Looking back at your time at MSU, what did you learn? 

Looking back at my undergrad experience, I learned that there truly is enough time to do everything that you want to do. I know a huge part of college is making new friends and it can definitely be intimidating to try and balance your social life with classes, volunteering, research, etc., but if you are passionate enough about your future to make it happen, you can.  

  

Would you like to give a shoutout to anyone that helped you on your MSU journey? 

I would love to give a shoutout to Dr. Castillo-Ruiz and Dr. Hedges for being wonderful mentors throughout my MSU journey. Coming in as a transfer student was a little scary, but they helped me feel as though I chose the right path at MSU. 

  

What advice do you have for psychology and neuroscience students figuring out their path at MSU? 

A piece of advice I would give to MSU students is to not be afraid to put yourself out there, even if you are the only person in your social group doing the things you’re doing. Send a cold email to a PI or join a club that interests you because at the end of the day, you’re here to make the most of your college experience, and the possibilities are endless when you use your resources to your advantage.