From twin participant to researcher with the MSU Twin Registry

November 24, 2025 - Brandi Randall, Shelly DeJong

Brandi Randall is the Project Coordinator for the MSU Twin Registry in the Department of Psychology. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2019 with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Cognitive Sciences and is currently pursuing a master's degree in public health at MSU.  

 

My first experience with Michigan State University was when I was about 10 years old. My twin sister and I came to campus to participate in a study through the MSU Twin Registry. We had such a good time, and it felt special to be part of something that celebrated what made us unique.  

That early experience stuck with me. When it came time to choose a college years later, MSU already felt familiar. I felt a connection that I didn’t have with other schools, so I ended up enrolling at MSU in 2016. The next year, I saw a flyer for a research assistant position with the same twin studies I’d participated in as a kid. I thought, how cool would it be to see the other side of that? So, I applied and became a research assistant with the MSU Twin Registry. 

As a research assistant, I helped oversee a portion of a study that collected information from teachers about twins—what they’re like in school, with friends, and away from home. It was fascinating to see how much detail goes into getting accurate, ethical data. As a kid, I thought researchers could just ask questions and collect answers. But in reality, there are so many steps before a survey even reaches a participant: consent, ethics review, data protection, and more. Learning about all that deepened my respect for research and the people who volunteer to take part. 

After graduating with a degree in neuroscience and a minor in cognitive science, I stayed with the lab and became the lab manager. Eventually, when our project coordinator moved away, she encouraged me to apply for her position. I went for it, and I’ve now been the Project Coordinator for nearly five years, and I love it. 

I’ve always been interested in how research can improve lives, and that’s what our twin studies are all about. When people ask me why we’re studying twins, I like to explain that twin research isn’t really about twins. It’s about understanding how genetics and environments interact to shape who we are. Identical twins share 100% of their DNA, while fraternal twins share about half, just like any other siblings. By comparing their experiences, we can begin to separate the effects of genes from those of their environment and, more importantly, see how they influence each other. 

Now that I’m pursuing a master’s in public health at MSU, I’ve gained an even deeper appreciation for making research accessible to everyone. A lot of scientific writing isn’t easy to understand if you’re not in the field, and that can make research feel distant or intimidating. But these studies are about real people. They can influence our health, our well-being, and how we understand development and behavior. I want to help bridge that gap. 

Working with the MSU Twin Registry has also shown me how essential participants are. Research doesn’t happen without them. Every visit, survey, and sample represents someone’s time and trust, and we take that seriously. Protecting their confidentiality and making sure they feel respected is one of the most important parts of my job. 

Looking back, it’s funny to think that participating in twin research as a kid set all this in motion. Being part of the MSU Twin Registry first as a participant and now as a member of the research team feels like coming full circle. It’s a reminder of how small experiences can spark lifelong interests. 

 

Join the MSU Twin Registry and other twins for Twin Night with the Detroit Pistons on December 5th. More information can be found here. Twins or parents of twins who are interested in joining the MSU Twin Registry can contact msutr@msu.edu.