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Dr. Alexandra Castillo-Ruiz,
Principal Investigator
Dr. Castillo-Ruiz obtained her BSc at Agrarian La Molina University in Lima, Peru, and her MA and PhD at Michigan State University. She completed Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Georgia State University. Prior to joining Michigan State, she was Research Faculty at Georgia State University where she was named a Wilczynski – Georgia Research Alliance Fellow.
Dr. Castillo-Ruiz investigates the role that birth plays in brain and behavioral development. Birth is arguably the most dramatic event in the life of a placental mammal, yet, perhaps because of its ubiquity, has been overlooked as an important orchestrator of brain development. To address this, she manipulates events and milestones associated with birth, including mode and timing of birth, and microbiota colonization in mice. Via these manipulations, she has found evidence for an unprecedented role of birth in brain development.
In addition to her research, Dr. Castillo-Ruiz is passionate about science outreach for the general public and has created and participated in numerous activities nationally and internationally.
Keeley Stankus
Undergraduate Research Assistant
My name is Keeley Stankus and I am a 1st year undergraduate student at Michigan State University. I plan on pursuing a major in Psychology with a focus in Neuroscience. I am a volunteer student working with Dr. Alexandra Castillo-Ruiz to study the effects of birth mode on brain development and social behavior. If I’m not working in the lab, I am either discovering more about the fascinating world of psychology or getting in touch with my creative side!
Holly Pringle
Undergraduate Research Assistant
My name is Holly Pringle and I’m a junior at Michigan State University. Currently, I am pursuing a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience. I am a volunteer in the Castillo-Ruiz lab. My research project examines the effects of birth on social behavior in mice. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, swimming, and indulging in nature.
Wally
Chief Well-Being Officer and Science Ambassador
Wally was found wandering the streets of downtown Atlanta. His human parents Dr. Alexandra Castillo-Ruiz and her husband found him and adopted him right away because he is such a good boy! He plays a vital role in Dr. Castillo-Ruiz's science outreach activities with children.
