- Wildlife-focused Backpacking and Hiking
- Team Sports - Sand Volleyball Club member, Youth Volleyball Assistant Coach
- Adventure Travel
Truman Kula
Detroit,MI
Summary
Motivated biochemistry student at Wayne State University with over 3,500 hours of hands-on research experience in neurodegenerative disease models. Proficient in experimental design, data analysis, and collaborative lab work, with a strong interest in neurology and patient-centered care. Aspiring physician eager to leverage a solid research background and clinical experience to enhance medical school preparedness and contribute meaningfully to the healthcare field. Committed to advancing knowledge and improving patient outcomes through a combination of scientific inquiry and compassionate care.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
05.2023 - Current
- Assisted in hypothesis-driven research, performing experiments, data analysis, and literature review.
- Supported experimental workflows including sample preparation, interpretation, and troubleshooting.
- Contributed to and created research presentations and posters.
- Insights into Denatatorubral-Pallidoluysian Atrophy (DRPLA) from a new Drosophila Model of Disease. (May 2023-February 2025): Contributed to development of a Drosophila model of denatatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), demonstrating that pathogenic polyglutamine-expanded human ATXN1 expression impairs motility, lifespan, and tissue integrity in flies, and identifying altered protein quality control and immune pathways associated with toxicity.
- Role of Droj2, Nedd4, Poe, and KCMF1 genes in Modulating Toxicity in Various Polyglutamine Disorders in Drosophila. (June 2025-Current): Contributing to the findings of Droj2, Nedd4, Poe, and KCMF1 as genetic modifiers of toxicity in polyglutamine neurodegenerative disorders using Drosophila models. By altering gene expression in flies expressing pathogenic polyQ proteins, the study assesses effects on motility, lifespan, and neurodegeneration. Because these genes are involved in protein quality control and ubiquitination, the work aims to identify conserved pathways that influence polyQ-induced toxicity and disease progression.
- Wayne State Graduate Student Symposium - Detroit, MI (2023)
- Society for Neuroscience Conference - Chicago, IL (2024)
- Society for Neuroscience Conference - San Diego, CA (2025)
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry And Chemical Biology
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI01.2026
Skills
- Researching skills
- Fieldwork experience
- Laboratory operations
- Data analysis
- Running experiments
- Scientific writing
- Quantitative research
- Student engagement
- Classroom instruction
Accomplishments
- Delivered poster presentation on the role of Metformin in DRPLA-expressing drosophila at Wayne State Graduate Student Symposium in 2024.
- Delivered poster presentation on DRPLA from a new drosophila model of disease at the Society for Neuroscience Conference in 2024.
- Delivered poster presentation on protein quality control genes Droj2 and Nedd4 modulating toxicity in a drosophila model of DRPLA at the Society for Neuroscience Conference in 2025.
- Authored a research publication on "Insights into Dentatorubral-Pallidoluysian Atrophy from a new Drosophila model of disease," in 2025.
Affiliations
- American Chemical Society (ACS) - Wayne State University chapter
- Society for Neuroscience Student Member
EXTRA-CURRICULARS & LEADERSHIP
- Sand Volleyball Club Team Member - Collaborated with teammates in a recreational competitive setting requiring multiple skills including communication, coordination, and adaptability. Demonstrated consistency, dedication, and commitment through weekly participation.
- Youth Indoor Girls Volleyball Assistant Coach - Mentored young athletes in skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Helped to manage practices, warm-ups, scrimmages, and games.
- Member of WSU’s Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) - Attended professional development and community service events that included traveling to local schools to perform experiments and get kids interested in science.
Interests
Timeline
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Wayne State University
05.2023 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry And Chemical Biology
Wayne State University
PUBLICATIONS
Priti, M.V., Nuga, D., Dulay R.O., Patel, N.C., Kula, T., Libohova, K., Jackson-Butler, A., Tsou, W., Richardson, K., & Todi, S.V. (2024). Insights into Denatatorubral-Pallidoluysian Atrophy from a new Drosophila Model of Disease. Neurobiology of Disease. Neurobiology of Disease, 207, 106834.
AWARDS
- Deans List (2022, 2023, 2025, 2026)
- WSU Gold Scholarship Recipient