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The Hulu miniseries The Dropout introduced Theranos’ future whistleblower Tyler Shultz in episode 5. Now in The Dropout episode 6 “Iron Sisters” the cracks in Elizabeth Holmes’ facade are starting to show. By the end of the episode, Shultz and fellows whistleblower Erika Cheung have made contact with The Wall Street Journal. Blowing the whistle on Theranos meant going against the wishes of Shultz’s own grandfather. What is Tyler Shultz up to now that Theranos has collapsed?

In The Dropout Erika Cheung and Tyler Shultz blew the whistle on Theranos. Here the pair smile at the Sundance Film Festival.
Erika Cheung and Tyler Shultz | Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for New York Magazine

Tyler Shultz and Erika Cheung contact The Wall Street Journal in ‘The Dropout’ Episode 6

In The Dropout Episode 6 “Iron Sisters,” Erika Cheung begins her work at Theranos and meets Tyler Shultz. She soon senses something is amiss at the company. She brings up her concerns to Shultz, who at first believes Elizabeth Holmes to be ignorant of the shady practices going on in the lab.

However, he soon realizes Cheung was right. Shultz’s grandfather, a Theranos board member, doesn’t listen to his grandson’s concerns, which leads to a tragically strained relationship between the two. Even so, the episode ends with Shultz and Cheung making a call to John Carreyrou of The Wall Street Journal.

The real Tyler Shultz runs a company of his own

For the real Tyler Shultz that The Dropout based their character on, blowing the whistle on Theranos had consequences. Besides creating a strained relationship with his grandfather, Shultz was soon dealing with private investigators Holmes hired to follow him, NPR reports. Holmes’ lawyers also came after him.

Of course, Shultz did the right thing and in the end, everything turned out for the best. Today the real-life Tyler Shultz is the cofounder of and CEO of Flux Biosciences. According to DeviceTalks Boston, the company, “aims to bring medical-grade diagnostics into the homes of consumers by using cutting-edge technology to measure biomarkers related to stress, exercise, and fertility.”

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Ironically Shulz’s current work has given him some insight into the way of Elizabeth Holmes. “I’m under pressure to exaggerate technology claims, exaggerate revenue projection claims. Sometimes investors will straight-up tell you, you need to double, quadruple, or 10x any revenue projection you think is realistic,” he told NPR. “I could see how this environment could create an Elizabeth Holmes.”

In 2017, Forbes added Shultz’s name to their “30 under 30” Health Care list. He is currently engaged to Carolynn Vuong. According to their registry on zola.com, their wedding date will take place on June 25, 2022.

Shultz celebrated when Elizabeth Holmes was convicted of fraud

After years of lies and deceit, Holmes eventually faced the consequences of her actions. A jury convicted the former Theranos CEO on four counts of fraud, and she is currently awaiting sentencing. For Shultz, the results were a huge relief. “All of a sudden, it was just a weight was lifted,” Shultz told NPR. “It’s over. I can’t believe it’s over.”

“My family said, ‘Come on down we’re popping champagne. We’re celebrating.'” Former Theranos president and COO Sunny Balwani’s trial began only a few days ago.

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