Mel Ortiz-Alvarez
@moadlc.bsky.social
Neuro-microbiome Scientist🦠🧠, Science Writer for @microbites.bsky.social ✍️& Artist 🎨
PhD candidate & #NSFGRFP fellow at #BrownUniversity
Portfolio: www.microbephd.com
Co-Founder of CienciaPaTodes.org
#CienciaPR 🇵🇷 #BlackinMicro #InclusiveSciComm
PhD candidate & #NSFGRFP fellow at #BrownUniversity
Portfolio: www.microbephd.com
Co-Founder of CienciaPaTodes.org
#CienciaPR 🇵🇷 #BlackinMicro #InclusiveSciComm
Pinned
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez
@moadlc.bsky.social
· Nov 4
✨Who am I?✨
- Pathobiology PhD Candidate 🔬
-Aspiring Science Illustrator🎨
-Microbiome Enthusiast🦠
Let's start a conversation!🥳
www.microbephd.com
#scicomm #microbiology #gradschool
- Pathobiology PhD Candidate 🔬
-Aspiring Science Illustrator🎨
-Microbiome Enthusiast🦠
Let's start a conversation!🥳
www.microbephd.com
#scicomm #microbiology #gradschool
The Caribbean scicomm organization that I co-founded, Ciencia Pa' Todes, was featured today in #TheMicrobiologist by @amiposts.bsky.social
We have done so much as a small group and I'm proud of the impact we continue to have every day 💜
Check out our work at: cienciapatodes.org
#scicomm #stem
We have done so much as a small group and I'm proud of the impact we continue to have every day 💜
Check out our work at: cienciapatodes.org
#scicomm #stem
We couldn’t get people interested in science - until we started speaking their language
In 2020, Puerto Rico faced a misinformation crisis. Melanie Ortiz Alvarez De La Campa reveals how five STEM undergraduates created a sci-comm organization that helped pass legislation, educated thousa...
www.the-microbiologist.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The Caribbean scicomm organization that I co-founded, Ciencia Pa' Todes, was featured today in #TheMicrobiologist by @amiposts.bsky.social
We have done so much as a small group and I'm proud of the impact we continue to have every day 💜
Check out our work at: cienciapatodes.org
#scicomm #stem
We have done so much as a small group and I'm proud of the impact we continue to have every day 💜
Check out our work at: cienciapatodes.org
#scicomm #stem
#Gradschool will drive you crazy, especially if you only focus on the negative. In this week's #Substack I opened up a bit about my experience navigating self-doubt & imposter syndrome during my PhD. If you feel similarly, I encourage you to read it 🫂💕
#academicsky #BlackinMicro #Stem #scicomm
#academicsky #BlackinMicro #Stem #scicomm
Documenting achievements isn't bragging
Why I always write about my achievements in grad school and how it's saved my mental health
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM
#Gradschool will drive you crazy, especially if you only focus on the negative. In this week's #Substack I opened up a bit about my experience navigating self-doubt & imposter syndrome during my PhD. If you feel similarly, I encourage you to read it 🫂💕
#academicsky #BlackinMicro #Stem #scicomm
#academicsky #BlackinMicro #Stem #scicomm
November is full of opportunities for aspiring scientists and doctors! Check out a list of them on my #Substack newsletter!
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#gradschool #funding #academicsky #stem #science #scicomm
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#gradschool #funding #academicsky #stem #science #scicomm
November Opportunities for Aspiring PhDs, MDs and all in between!
Are you an undergrad or grad student interested in STEM careers? Check out these opportunities!
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:36 PM
November is full of opportunities for aspiring scientists and doctors! Check out a list of them on my #Substack newsletter!
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#gradschool #funding #academicsky #stem #science #scicomm
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#gradschool #funding #academicsky #stem #science #scicomm
It's again time for my monthly wrap up! If you're a scientist looking for ideas on how to get more involved, check out what I've been up to in October as a PhD candidate 🥰✊🏾🔬🦠 #scicomm #stem #gradschool #substack #sciencewriting
Monthly SciComm WrapUp: October 2025
A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of October!
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:49 PM
It's again time for my monthly wrap up! If you're a scientist looking for ideas on how to get more involved, check out what I've been up to in October as a PhD candidate 🥰✊🏾🔬🦠 #scicomm #stem #gradschool #substack #sciencewriting
There's perks to going straight to a PhD, like becoming a doctor at 27 😎 This also means I've spent almost my entire 20s in school. But, it's been a wild ride! Countdown begins...! #gradschool #stem #phd #diml #phdlife #academicsky #boricua #phdcandidate #microbephd
October 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
There's perks to going straight to a PhD, like becoming a doctor at 27 😎 This also means I've spent almost my entire 20s in school. But, it's been a wild ride! Countdown begins...! #gradschool #stem #phd #diml #phdlife #academicsky #boricua #phdcandidate #microbephd
New #Substack out today!! Read more about why I think the Mr. Puerto Rico costume for Mister International 2025 was a fantastic choice and some of the fun science behind bats in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 🔬🧡🎉
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#mrinternational #scicomm #sciencewriting #bats #puertorico #stem
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#mrinternational #scicomm #sciencewriting #bats #puertorico #stem
Why did Mr. Puerto Rico dress as a bat?
Mr. International Puerto Rico made a great choice for his cultural costume!
open.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:35 PM
New #Substack out today!! Read more about why I think the Mr. Puerto Rico costume for Mister International 2025 was a fantastic choice and some of the fun science behind bats in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 🔬🧡🎉
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#mrinternational #scicomm #sciencewriting #bats #puertorico #stem
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#mrinternational #scicomm #sciencewriting #bats #puertorico #stem
I interviewed a professor at the University of British Columbia about her recent work showing that inflammation during early life can lead to disruptions in the endocrine system and the microbiota.
micro-bites.org/2025/09/22/g...
#scicomm #sciwri #sciencewriter #microbiome #endocrine
micro-bites.org/2025/09/22/g...
#scicomm #sciwri #sciencewriter #microbiome #endocrine
Gut Inflammation Disrupts Hormone Signals and the Brain
Reproductive hormones in male mice are susceptible to gut inflammation during early life.
micro-bites.org
October 15, 2025 at 7:01 PM
I interviewed a professor at the University of British Columbia about her recent work showing that inflammation during early life can lead to disruptions in the endocrine system and the microbiota.
micro-bites.org/2025/09/22/g...
#scicomm #sciwri #sciencewriter #microbiome #endocrine
micro-bites.org/2025/09/22/g...
#scicomm #sciwri #sciencewriter #microbiome #endocrine
Excited to be a panelist again for this free #scicomm training!! If you are a researcher looking to improve your communication skills, definitely check it out 👏🏾❤️
When you explain your research, do people look bored? Pull out their phones? Register for our Communicating Your Science to the Public course to learn how to tell a compelling story about what you do as a researcher. Begins 11/4. buff.ly/OsjabL5
@projbridgeco.bsky.social, @moadlc.bsky.social
@projbridgeco.bsky.social, @moadlc.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Excited to be a panelist again for this free #scicomm training!! If you are a researcher looking to improve your communication skills, definitely check it out 👏🏾❤️
September is ending, so here is a brief wrap-up of what I was up to this past month as a PhD candidate interested in science communication 🎉😍🇵🇷
#substack #scicomm #scipol #gradschool #phd #stem #academicsky
#substack #scicomm #scipol #gradschool #phd #stem #academicsky
Monthly SciComm WrapUp: September 2025
A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of September!
open.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:14 PM
September is ending, so here is a brief wrap-up of what I was up to this past month as a PhD candidate interested in science communication 🎉😍🇵🇷
#substack #scicomm #scipol #gradschool #phd #stem #academicsky
#substack #scicomm #scipol #gradschool #phd #stem #academicsky
I'm back with a new #ReadersDigestion on #Substack! This time, I'm reviewing "Everything is Tuberculosis" by John Green.
If you are into brief science book reviews, check it out here: microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...
#scicomm #johngreen #everythingistuberculosis #bookreview #bookrec
If you are into brief science book reviews, check it out here: microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...
#scicomm #johngreen #everythingistuberculosis #bookreview #bookrec
Reader's Digestion: "Everything is Tuberculosis"
What I am reading/listening to as a PhD candidate working on the neuromicrobiome.
microbephd.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I'm back with a new #ReadersDigestion on #Substack! This time, I'm reviewing "Everything is Tuberculosis" by John Green.
If you are into brief science book reviews, check it out here: microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...
#scicomm #johngreen #everythingistuberculosis #bookreview #bookrec
If you are into brief science book reviews, check it out here: microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...
#scicomm #johngreen #everythingistuberculosis #bookreview #bookrec
My mentee just published his first peer-reviewed article as a high school senior!🦠🔬 🎊
It's been a privilege to see how much he grew as a research over 9 months.
Read it here:
ajosr.org/papers/volum...
¡Seguimos! 👏🏾🇵🇷
#teaching #mentoring #research #gradschool #scicomm #sciencewriting #academicsky
It's been a privilege to see how much he grew as a research over 9 months.
Read it here:
ajosr.org/papers/volum...
¡Seguimos! 👏🏾🇵🇷
#teaching #mentoring #research #gradschool #scicomm #sciencewriting #academicsky
September 16, 2025 at 2:37 PM
My mentee just published his first peer-reviewed article as a high school senior!🦠🔬 🎊
It's been a privilege to see how much he grew as a research over 9 months.
Read it here:
ajosr.org/papers/volum...
¡Seguimos! 👏🏾🇵🇷
#teaching #mentoring #research #gradschool #scicomm #sciencewriting #academicsky
It's been a privilege to see how much he grew as a research over 9 months.
Read it here:
ajosr.org/papers/volum...
¡Seguimos! 👏🏾🇵🇷
#teaching #mentoring #research #gradschool #scicomm #sciencewriting #academicsky
Reposted by Mel Ortiz-Alvarez
📣 New MicroBites!
Breaking the Grass Ceiling: CBD Improves Female Depression 👩
A new study shows CBD treatment helped decrease symptoms of depression in mice consuming a high fat diet. 🐭 🦠
Breaking the Grass Ceiling: CBD Improves Female Depression 👩
A new study shows CBD treatment helped decrease symptoms of depression in mice consuming a high fat diet. 🐭 🦠
Breaking the Grass Ceiling: CBD Improves Female Depression
A new study shows CBD treatment helped decrease symptoms of depression in mice consuming a high fat diet.
buff.ly
September 1, 2025 at 11:02 AM
📣 New MicroBites!
Breaking the Grass Ceiling: CBD Improves Female Depression 👩
A new study shows CBD treatment helped decrease symptoms of depression in mice consuming a high fat diet. 🐭 🦠
Breaking the Grass Ceiling: CBD Improves Female Depression 👩
A new study shows CBD treatment helped decrease symptoms of depression in mice consuming a high fat diet. 🐭 🦠
Honored to be mentioned among such incredible people! Thanks for the shoutout ❤️🫂👏🏾 #scicomm
Who’s doing incredible work that deserves more attention? Tag them and tell us why in the comments. Let’s amplify their impact together!
@moadlc.bsky.social, @siegenthalerlab.bsky.social, @jabarocas.bsky.social
@moadlc.bsky.social, @siegenthalerlab.bsky.social, @jabarocas.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Honored to be mentioned among such incredible people! Thanks for the shoutout ❤️🫂👏🏾 #scicomm
August is over, which means it's time for a wrap-up! Check out what #scicomm things I was up to in the past month.
microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
#sciencewriting #gradschool #scipol #stem #phd #academicsky #Substack
microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
#sciencewriting #gradschool #scipol #stem #phd #academicsky #Substack
Monthly SciComm WrapUp: August 2025
A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of August!
microbephd.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
August is over, which means it's time for a wrap-up! Check out what #scicomm things I was up to in the past month.
microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
#sciencewriting #gradschool #scipol #stem #phd #academicsky #Substack
microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
#sciencewriting #gradschool #scipol #stem #phd #academicsky #Substack
New month, new opportunities!! Check out my list of monthly opportunities for current and aspiring #STEM grads!
microbephd.substack.com/p/september-...
#gradschool #academicsky #research #opportunities #substack
microbephd.substack.com/p/september-...
#gradschool #academicsky #research #opportunities #substack
September Opportunities for Aspiring PhDs, MDs and all in between!
Are you an undergrad or grad student interested in STEM careers? Check out these opportunities!
microbephd.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
New month, new opportunities!! Check out my list of monthly opportunities for current and aspiring #STEM grads!
microbephd.substack.com/p/september-...
#gradschool #academicsky #research #opportunities #substack
microbephd.substack.com/p/september-...
#gradschool #academicsky #research #opportunities #substack
Reposted by Mel Ortiz-Alvarez
📣 New MicroBites!
High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model 🐭
Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice. 🦠
High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model 🐭
Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice. 🦠
High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model
Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice.
buff.ly
August 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM
📣 New MicroBites!
High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model 🐭
Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice. 🦠
High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model 🐭
Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice. 🦠
July is almost over, and that means it's time for a scicomm wrap-up!! I got some much done this month, including an exciting announcement 👀
Read more here: microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
#scicomm #stem #gradschool #academicsky #blackinmicro #latine #teaching
Read more here: microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
#scicomm #stem #gradschool #academicsky #blackinmicro #latine #teaching
Monthly SciComm WrapUp: July 2025
A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of July!
microbephd.substack.com
July 31, 2025 at 1:18 PM
July is almost over, and that means it's time for a scicomm wrap-up!! I got some much done this month, including an exciting announcement 👀
Read more here: microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
#scicomm #stem #gradschool #academicsky #blackinmicro #latine #teaching
Read more here: microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
#scicomm #stem #gradschool #academicsky #blackinmicro #latine #teaching
I wrote about a really interesting #probiotic paper from Ghana! They saw that combining probiotics improved #mood symptoms in mice just as well or even better than antidepressants 👏🏾 Read more over on #MicroBites!
micro-bites.org/2025/07/25/h...
#stress #blackinmicro #scicomm #sciencewriting
micro-bites.org/2025/07/25/h...
#stress #blackinmicro #scicomm #sciencewriting
High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model
Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice.
micro-bites.org
July 25, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I wrote about a really interesting #probiotic paper from Ghana! They saw that combining probiotics improved #mood symptoms in mice just as well or even better than antidepressants 👏🏾 Read more over on #MicroBites!
micro-bites.org/2025/07/25/h...
#stress #blackinmicro #scicomm #sciencewriting
micro-bites.org/2025/07/25/h...
#stress #blackinmicro #scicomm #sciencewriting
New #Substack today in honor of #BadBunny's concert in #PuertoRico 🎓🇵🇷🔥😎 microbephd.substack.com/p/science-be...
#sciencewriting #stem #science #gradschool #scicomm
#sciencewriting #stem #science #gradschool #scicomm
Science behind Bad Bunny's DTMF
A short dive into some of the scientific concepts present in his latest album
microbephd.substack.com
July 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
New #Substack today in honor of #BadBunny's concert in #PuertoRico 🎓🇵🇷🔥😎 microbephd.substack.com/p/science-be...
#sciencewriting #stem #science #gradschool #scicomm
#sciencewriting #stem #science #gradschool #scicomm
I just taught high schoolers in a course I designed!
We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes
In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! ¡Seguimos! 🔥👏🏾🇵🇷 #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool
We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes
In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! ¡Seguimos! 🔥👏🏾🇵🇷 #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool
July 16, 2025 at 12:43 AM
I just taught high schoolers in a course I designed!
We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes
In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! ¡Seguimos! 🔥👏🏾🇵🇷 #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool
We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes
In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! ¡Seguimos! 🔥👏🏾🇵🇷 #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool
July will have some very cool opportunities for folks interested in #STEM! Check out some of them on my #Substack newsletter.
For more updates and regular opportunities in your inbox, subscribe for free ☺️❤️ microbephd.substack.com/p/july-oppor...
#scicomm #academicsky #academia #research
For more updates and regular opportunities in your inbox, subscribe for free ☺️❤️ microbephd.substack.com/p/july-oppor...
#scicomm #academicsky #academia #research
July Opportunities for Aspiring MD/PhDs & PhDs!
Are you an undergrad or grad student interested in STEM careers? Check out these opportunities!
microbephd.substack.com
July 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
July will have some very cool opportunities for folks interested in #STEM! Check out some of them on my #Substack newsletter.
For more updates and regular opportunities in your inbox, subscribe for free ☺️❤️ microbephd.substack.com/p/july-oppor...
#scicomm #academicsky #academia #research
For more updates and regular opportunities in your inbox, subscribe for free ☺️❤️ microbephd.substack.com/p/july-oppor...
#scicomm #academicsky #academia #research
Celebrating the last day of #pridemonth with a wrap-up of all the wonderful #scicomm activities I was able to do this month.
Take a gander over on #Substack if you are looking for inspiration in volunteering opportunities within science 🦠🔬
microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
Take a gander over on #Substack if you are looking for inspiration in volunteering opportunities within science 🦠🔬
microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
Monthly SciComm WrapUp: June 2025
A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of June!
microbephd.substack.com
June 30, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Celebrating the last day of #pridemonth with a wrap-up of all the wonderful #scicomm activities I was able to do this month.
Take a gander over on #Substack if you are looking for inspiration in volunteering opportunities within science 🦠🔬
microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
Take a gander over on #Substack if you are looking for inspiration in volunteering opportunities within science 🦠🔬
microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
As an #NSFGRFP fellow, it's been really concerning to see comments from people on social media saying that public funding of science is "wasteful".
When we protect science, we protect our future! Get involved now 👏🏾
#nsf #nih #science #substack #scicomm
microbephd.substack.com/p/a-brief-hi...
When we protect science, we protect our future! Get involved now 👏🏾
#nsf #nih #science #substack #scicomm
microbephd.substack.com/p/a-brief-hi...
A Brief History of the NSF & Why We Need It
My thoughts on why the National Science Foundation matters, as a GRFP fellow
microbephd.substack.com
June 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I love writing about new studies looking at the gut brain connection! 🧠 🦠 The article I wrote for MicroBites this month is precisely about that, this time about a clinical study with infants Rio 👶
Read it here:
micro-bites.org/2025/05/23/w...
#scicomm #stem #gradschool #microbiome #sciencewriting
Read it here:
micro-bites.org/2025/05/23/w...
#scicomm #stem #gradschool #microbiome #sciencewriting
What the Gut’s First Residents Say About Baby’s Brain Health
Newborns’ first gut microbes may predict social development at 6 months, revealing early links between microbiome and brain health.
micro-bites.org
June 16, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I love writing about new studies looking at the gut brain connection! 🧠 🦠 The article I wrote for MicroBites this month is precisely about that, this time about a clinical study with infants Rio 👶
Read it here:
micro-bites.org/2025/05/23/w...
#scicomm #stem #gradschool #microbiome #sciencewriting
Read it here:
micro-bites.org/2025/05/23/w...
#scicomm #stem #gradschool #microbiome #sciencewriting
Time for another #bookreview! This time it's a timeless classic: #ParableoftheSower
It was tough to read this considering current events, but I felt it was better now than never.
Butler is a masterclass in dystopia. Read more on #Substack
microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...
It was tough to read this considering current events, but I felt it was better now than never.
Butler is a masterclass in dystopia. Read more on #Substack
microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...
Reader's Digestion: "Parable of the Sower"
What I am reading/listening to as a PhD candidate working on the neuromicrobiome.
microbephd.substack.com
June 13, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Time for another #bookreview! This time it's a timeless classic: #ParableoftheSower
It was tough to read this considering current events, but I felt it was better now than never.
Butler is a masterclass in dystopia. Read more on #Substack
microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...
It was tough to read this considering current events, but I felt it was better now than never.
Butler is a masterclass in dystopia. Read more on #Substack
microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...