New course gives Wright State students real-world experience in genetics research

From Genes to Genome, a new course taught by Shulin Ju, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences, provides Wright State students an opportunity to apply lab techniques to real research questions. (Photos by Erin Pence)

Thanks to a gift from three-time Wright State University graduate Doug Hull, a new class offers students experiential learning opportunities in the fields of genetics and genomics.

The course, From Genes to Genome, debuted in Fall Semester 2025 and is taught by Shulin Ju, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences.

“It’s a hands-on course,” said Ju. “We do experiments every lecture, twice a week. Students can see actual results from their experiments.”

The class has been designed for undergraduates — primarily seniors — and non-thesis track graduate students.

Ju said the opportunity for students, especially undergraduates, to apply lab techniques to real research questions sets this course apart.

“Undergraduate students don’t have much research experience, unless they’ve worked in a lab,” Ju said. “This class gives students that opportunity.”

From Genes to Genome would not be possible without the gift from Hull, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in 1975, a master’s degree in molecular biology in 1978, and an MBA in 1985.

In 2023, Hull established an endowed fund to support student scholarships, encourage experiential learning and create a lab focused on genetic and genomics research.

He recently visited Wright State’s Dayton Campus to see his gift at work. He toured the lab and met students who are aspiring researchers, just as he was 50 years ago.

Hull was also able to see students utilizing the new, state-of-the-art equipment partially purchased through his fund, including a fluorescence microscope that allows students to look at molecules within a cell.

“Some of this equipment is very unique, and the students know enough to realize that this is cool,” he said.

Hull hopes the hands-on aspect of the course will inspire students in their future research and prepare them for the job market.

“Getting hands-on lab experience is very useful and will be a great benefit to my resume when I start applying for laboratory jobs,” said biological sciences major Jacob Roberts. “Having this experience with an actual, tangible results kind of lab is going to really make a difference when it comes to hiring.”

Biological sciences major Andrea Hernandez appreciates the opportunity to engage in hands-on experiments during her senior year.

“This class has added more to my knowledge,” she said. “I feel ahead of my game.”

Hernandez told Hull, “I’m so grateful for what you’ve done for us.”

From Genes to Genome was supported by a gift from three-time Wright State graduate Doug Hull, center, who established an endowed fund to support student scholarships, encourage experiential learning and create a lab focused on genetic and genomics research.

Genetics and genomics have long been a passion for Hull. As a Wright State student in the 1970s and 1980s, he worked with now-retired biological sciences professor George Kantor on cancer research. Together, they examined the potential of ultraviolet light to mutate a cell and transform it into a cancer cell.

Hull also collaborated with Richard C. Juberg, a medical geneticist at Dayton Children’s Hospital and chair of the Department of Medical Genetics and Birth Defects. At Dayton Children’s, Hull worked in the first laboratory in Dayton to culture and evaluate cells collected through amniocentesis.

Today, students in the lab that Hull helped fund at Wright State are answering real-world scientific questions, continuing a path he began years ago.

Many of those questions focus on human disease. Students are studying the genes that are involved in a disease, like ALS. This helps them better understand the disease and potential ways to reverse or cure it.

“Hopefully, some of this information can be used for therapeutics,” said Ju.

While Hull’s career path ultimately took a different turn after earning his MBA and working in finance at Dayton Power and Light and several area nonprofits, he has returned to his scientific roots by giving back to his alma mater.

“I’m glad to see all of the equipment that they’ve got in the lab and to see students interested in taking the course,” he said. “I hope it builds from here.”

From Genes to Genome will continue to be offered in Fall Semester, and the genetics and genomics program plans to create other experiential learning courses for the same lab space. The new equipment — which is typically not available in teaching labs — will be incorporated into those classes as well.

A genetics working group, composed of faculty and staff in the Department of Biological Sciences, has met regularly to discuss establishing a new genetics and genomics concentration.

“These discussions have included developing new genetics courses that were previously unavailable, establishing a dedicated laboratory space and equipping that space,” said Ju. “The group has been involved in every step of making this new lab space ready.”

But the lion’s share of the credit goes to Hull.

“Without Doug’s support, none of this would be possible,” said Ju. “Our students are directly benefiting from his generosity.”