Town & Gown

The Town & Gown Series is an MSU AgeAlive program in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, in partnership with MSU Social Science Scholars Program, Generations Connect, East Lansing Prime Time Seniors Program, The Great Decisions Program of the Foreign Policy Association, and The Peoples Church of East Lansing.

The Town & Gown Series brings MSU faculty and community members together for conversations on topics ranging from public policy to personal well-being. These events strengthen academic-community connections and reflect AgeAlive’s commitment in translating university expertise into meaningful public dialogue. These sessions are free and participants have every opportunity to ask questions of the speakers.

2025 – 2026 Town & Gown Series 

All Town & Gown sessions will be held on the third Friday of every month from noon to 1 p.m. in the Robertson Room, The Peoples Church, 200 W. Michigan Avenue, East Lansing. Below is the current schedule:

  • Friday, Oct. 17 – Speaker: Dr. Kseniia Borodin, Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at Michigan State University | Topic: Ukraine – Language – War – Me: A Personal Story Intertwined with History
  • Friday, Nov. 21 – Speaker: Charles Keith, Ph.D., Professor of History, Michigan State University | Topic: MSU and Vietnam: New Thoughts on an Old Story
  • Friday, Dec. 19 – Speaker: Dr. Gabriel Wrobel, Ph.D.,  Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Bioarchaeology Laboratory at Michigan State University | Topic: The Hidden Dead: Bioarchaeology of Ancient Maya Cave Ritual
  • Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 – Speaker & Topic: Dr. Yoorae Noh is an Assistant Professor in the School of Packaging at Michigan State University | Topic: Microplastics and Us: Can you believe there is a plastic needle stuck in your brain?
    • Overview: As reported in numerous media outlets, there is growing evidence that microplastics are entering the human body through food, water, and air. Before we begin to worry about microplastics, we need to first understand what microplastics and plastics are. This lecture will explore the common plastics in our everyday life and trace their transformation into microscopic particles. We will also cover the latest scientific research on the impact of microplastics on neurological function and overall health. Dr. Yoorae Noh is an assistant professor in the School of Packaging at Michigan State University. Her field of study is related to sustainable plastic manufacture, recovery, and environmental surveillance. Prior to joining MSU, Dr. Noh obtained a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. Primary research in Dr. Noh’s lab is examining the plastic waste streamline and its environmental impact, along with evaluating new sustainable plastic packaging and processing technologies. Her research team is moving toward developing practical solutions to meet the growing global plastics demand without increasing environmental burden. REGISTER
  • Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 – Speaker & Topic: TBD
  • Friday, March 20, 2026 – Speaker & Topic: TBD
  • Friday, April 17, 2026 – Speaker & Topic: TBD