Dr. Kulkarni's research examines disability studies and critical race theory (DisCrit) in teacher education. Specifically, Dr. Kulkarni is interested in the influence and development of teacher beliefs about disability and race. She was an Assistant Professor at California State University Dominguez Hills where she worked in the Department of Special Education. There, Dr. Kulkarni earned the Exceptional Services to Students Awards for her commitment to mentorship of Master's level thesis candidates and supporting graduate research. Dr. Kulkarni earned her doctoral degree at University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2015 with the support of the School of Education Arvil S. Barr Teacher Education Fellowship. She was also inducted into the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society that same year.