Behavioral Neuroscience represents at the MSU Science Festival

March 31, 2025 - Shelly DeJong

During birth, our bodies are colonized by microscopic living organisms that are invisible to the naked eye, called microbes. Researchers know that these microbes aid in the development of different body systems – but do they shape the brain?   

Dr. Alexandra Castillo-Ruiz, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, will be answering this question and more at the 13th annual MSU Science Festival’s STEAM Expo Days on April 5th.  

This free event features more than 100 hands-on activities, talks, and demonstrations to encourage community members of all ages to engage in scientific wonder across a variety of disciplines of science.  

Members from the Castillo-Ruiz Lab of the Department of Psychology will use interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities to discover the contributions of our microbes to brain development.  

Alongside Dr. Castillo-Ruiz, undergraduate research assistant, Keeley Stankus, and several MSU volunteers will also show the ways that our lifestyles may be affecting our microbes and therefore our brain development.  

“As a scientist, I believe it is my responsibility to communicate directly with the public about what we’re doing and what we’re finding,” said Alexandra Castillo-Ruiz, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology. “Besides, how cool is it to learn that microbes shape our brains, and they can ultimately affect the way that we behave and feel!” 

The Castillo-Ruiz Lab will be at STEAM Expo Days on April 5th at MSU STEM Teaching and Learning Facility from 10:00-4:00 pm. For more information and to check out other hands-on activities and presentations, check out STEAM EXPO Schedule.