Matthew Kulpa
DVM, MS
Much of my research in the past has focused on animal behavior, however, I am excited to expand these interests into other overlapping fields that seek to explore questions in animal health and conservation. Ideally, I hope to synthesize my previous work with animal behavior to improve the lives of domestic and wild animals. Updates will be coming soon from the previous year's research work!!
 Blind Cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus)The experimental animal utilized during experimentation. |  DASPEI labelingWe used a fluorescent dye to help determine lateral line functionality. Failure to uptake dye by individual neuromasts, the functional unit of the lateral line sensory system, is a sign of lateral line disruption |
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 Tracking SoftwareCustom written MATLAB code was used to track the fish's position and orientation during trials. |  Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)PIV was used to help visualize the heterogeneous flow created for trials. |
The lateral line and rheotactic behavior
Master's Thesis
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Rheotaxis, an unconditioned orienting response to turn upstream, is a important multi-sensory behavior in fish. However, it still remains unknown what role, if any, the flow-sensing lateral line plays in facilitating this behavior. Using a variety of techniques to help selectively block the lateral line and rigorous steps to ensure disabling efficacy, we were able to shed light on the controversial topic of lateral line mediated rheotaxis. Furthermore, in collaboration with aerospace engineers at the University of Maryland and Michigan State University, our research helps aid in the construction of autonomous underwater vehicles.
Here is a short clip showing a lateral line disabled fish encountering a jet stream that bisects the middle of the tank. As the fish is displaced downstream, notice how the fish does not exhibit rheotactic behavior to the flow
Flow
Negative phototaxis in the red flour beetle
Research Assistant
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The red flour beetle is a pest that causes damage to stored food. However, by using different wavelengths, it may be possible to control or reduce the damage done by the red flour beetle through triggering a negative phototactic response in larvae. While in the Friedrich lab at Wayne State University, I developed a experiment to help understand how larvae behavior changes depending on the ecological context. Currently, members of the lab our continuing my study and are poised to unravel key questions involving the behavior and visual system of red flour beetle larvae.