Matthias C Truttmann, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator (P.I.)

mtruttma@umich.edu

I was born and raised in a small village surrounded by the Swiss alps in the heart of continental Europe. I obtained my Ph.D. in Microbiology & Systems Biology from the University of Basel, Switzerland in 2010.  After a 2-year stint as asset and liability manager for a Swiss consulting company, I joined the lab of Hidde Ploegh at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research / MIT as a postdoctoral fellow. In July 2018, I joined the Medical School at University of Michigan to start my own lab. Ever since, I enjoy working with my lab members on various projects related to proteostasis regulation.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy hanging out with my family, exercising, playing and coaching ice hockey, cooking, and baking.

Billy Giblin, Ph.D.

Research Investigator

wgiblin@umich.edu

I was born and raised in the smallest state of Rhode Island.  I didn’t travel very far north when I attended Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA.  After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry, I moved to Ann Arbor, MI, working as a research technician at the University of Michigan.  Shortly thereafter, I decided to remain at UM to pursue a Ph.D. in the Department of Human Genetics. I graduated in 2017 and am currently a Research Investigator in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology.

Outside of the lab I enjoy running, nature documentaries, Ann Arbor’s vibrant restaurant scene, and watching football and basketball (Go Blue!)

Benedict Abdon, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

babdon@.mich.edu

I am originally from a small city in the Bay Area (Oakley, California) and attended San Francisco State University where I majored in Cell and Molecular Biology. After working as a pathology assistant at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco for a few years (and not liking it), I transitioned into academic research for a M.S. in Physiology and Behavior at SFSU. I then moved to Ann Arbor to pursue my doctorate at the University of Michigan, where I received my PhD in Molecular and Integrative Physiology in 2023.

Currently, all my free time has been dedicated to my daughter, Phoebe (3 months old at the time this was written). Outside of Phoebe, I enjoy playing and watching soccer, being outdoors, amateur photography, and sleeping.

Riley Yucius

Graduate student (Molecular & Integrative Physiology)

yucius@umich.edu

I grew up just outside of Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) in 2025 with a BS in biological sciences. During my undergrad, I participated in Michigan’s Frankel Cardiovascular Center SURF. I loved it so much that I decided to come back and pursue my PhD in Molecular and Integrative Physiology here. In the Truttmann Lab, I work on ER stress and AMPylation in the context of the cardiovascular system.

When I am not in the lab, I enjoy attending live music and sporting events, dabbling in various arts and crafts, and travelling to national parks.

Eric Primack

Graduate student (Molecular & Integrative Physiology)

ericprim@umich.edu

 I was born and raised in Oak Park, California, and graduated from the University of Arizona in the Spring of 2023. At the U of A, I obtained a B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in Mathematics. Currently, I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Molecular and Integrative Physiology Ph.D. program where I get to do what I love: analyze and learn more about the molecular mechanisms of the human body. In the Truttmann lab I study how post-translational modifications of molecular chaperones are altered through aging in C. elegans, potential AMPylases in mammals and nematodes, and the functional similarity between cytosolic Hsp70 chaperones . 

My hobbies include playing guitar, learning new songs and writing some of my own; travelling, learning and experiencing all the world has to offer; and playing board games and video games with friends.

Sylvia Ni

Undergraduate Researcher

sylviani@umich.edu

I was born and raised in San Jose, California, and I am currently studying Movement Science in the School of Kinesiology on the pre-medical track. Prior to joining the Truttmann Lab, I conducted research with the Taubman Nanobody Initiative. My research interests center on neurodegenerative disease, particularly in the context of aging and longevity. Outside of the lab, I enjoy staying active by playing pickleball, volleyball, and running.

Tisha Jain

Undergraduate Researcher

jtisha@umich.edu

I was born in a small town in India called dimapur but I’ve spent most of life growing up in the suburbs of Chicago! I’m currently a sophomore studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan, with interests in pharmacology and drug development, specifically in neurodegenerative diseases. My research interests include understanding how changes in protein function contribute to disease and how these pathways can be targeted to develop new therapies. At Michigan, I’m currently involved with two project teams, M-HEAL and Michigan Neuroprosthetics, where I’ve become more interested in the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing pickleball, baking, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family.

Naomi Enav

Undergraduate Researcher

naomie@umich.edu

I grew up just outside Washington, DC, in Fairfax, Virginia, and am currently studying Neuroscience in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Before attending the University of Michigan, I worked on an immunology research project focused on Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) at Amerimmune Immunology Lab. I’m particularly interested in neural connectivity and how changes in neural networks may contribute to age-related disease. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking and bouldering, spending time with family and friends, and board game nights—especially Catan.

DAPI2

Super Senior Research Specialist 

DAPI2 joined us in 2023, after DAPI1 went to a conference and never came back. DAPI2 convinced us that fish can be trained to respond to external stimuli, particularly those involving food. In the future, DAPI2 plans to stay strong and be the best lab mate possible by always offering an open ear if someone needs to vent.