Driven by Curiosity, Grounded in Purpose: Valli’s Journey into FOXG1 Research

Valli at Canalside in Buffalo, NY

When Valli Duvvuru first arrived in Buffalo, she didn’t envision herself immersed in the intricate world of neuroscience. She hadn’t spent years studying neural pathways or preparing to decode the complexities of the brain. Her journey began elsewhere—thousands of miles away in India—with a deep curiosity for science and a readiness to adapt.

Raised in Mumbai, Valli learned early on how to navigate change. Her academic path took her through a range of interests: she majored in microbiology, then completed a postgraduate diploma in bioinformatics. But it wasn’t until graduate orientation at the University at Buffalo (UB) that her course shifted dramatically.

“I heard Dr. Soo Lee and Dr. Jae Lee speak during orientation, and their energy was infectious,” Valli remembers. "It was clear they weren’t just passionate—they were purposeful. I reached out to join the lab right away."

That leap—from microbiology and bioinformatics to neuroscience—set Valli on a challenging but rewarding new path. She joined the Lee Lab (now the FOXG1 Research Center) during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought unique hurdles. “It was a steep learning curve. I was new to neuroscience and to basic lab work in general,” she explains. “My first rotation was truly a blank slate.”

Valli underwent ten weeks of intensive training just to get comfortable with basic techniques. But it didn’t stop there. She spent months outside of lab hours reading, researching, and catching up on the vast background knowledge required to understand neurodevelopmental science. Eventually, everything began to click. While she says there’s always more to learn, she now feels at home in the field of neuroscience—and excited by its complexity.

From Brain Slices to Sound Waves

Today, as a third-year PhD student, Valli’s research is focused and multifaceted. Her thesis centers on FOXG1’s role in the development of the striatum—a critical brain region involved in motor control, social behaviors, and motivation. It’s a hub that interacts with several other areas of the brain, and its dysfunction is linked not only to FOXG1 Syndrome but to conditions like autism, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s.

In the lab, Valli works with patient-specific mouse models and uses conditional deletions of FOXG1 within the striatum to explore how disruptions in this region contribute to clinical symptoms. Her toolkit is broad: she performs immunohistochemistry, brain sectioning, microscopy, and behavioral studies, including ultrasonic vocalization recordings in mice.

"One of the first projects I initiated looked at communication behaviors in FOXG1 mouse models," she shares. "We recorded ultrasonic vocalizations in newborn mice. In our pilot study, we saw signs that reflect the kinds of communication challenges we see in FOXG1 Syndrome. That study helped us develop a simple, non-invasive way to measure early behavioral changes."

Big Picture Thinking—and Big Team Wins

Valli is deeply inspired by the collaborative nature of the FOXG1 Research Center. One of the standout experiences for her was working on the lab’s AAV-based gene therapy efficacy testing—a project that required massive coordination.

"That was a true team effort. Everyone brought their own expertise to the table, and we had to align on every little detail," she says. "It was a broad, challenging project, but seeing how we adjusted, coordinated, and kept pushing forward—that was powerful."

She also credits Drs. Jae and Soo Lee for helping the team stay focused and inspired. "They’re big-picture people. Especially during lab meetings, when we’re caught up in the technical weeds, they help us reconnect with the larger purpose. That reminder—that our work could help families—is really motivating."

Mentorship as a Two-Way Street

Now in a mentoring role herself, Valli helps onboard and guide new lab members. It’s a part of her role she genuinely enjoys.

"I do a lot of experiments day-to-day, so it's refreshing to hear the new questions students bring. They offer different perspectives, and sometimes they raise ideas that prompt me to think in new ways. It challenges me to adjust and reflect, and it keeps things dynamic."

She acknowledges that the learning curve in science never truly ends. "There’s always more to understand. And that’s what makes this work both humbling and exciting."

The Personal Impact of Meeting Families

One of the most emotional turning points for Valli came when she met FOXG1 families during the Research Center’s opening celebration.

"Their strength, their hope—it stayed with me. It made everything feel personal. It made the work more urgent."

Those moments, she says, remind her that every piece of data has a face behind it. Every experiment is connected to a story. “I often think about the families when I’m troubleshooting or stuck on something. Their advocacy, their trust in us—it’s what fuels our work.”

Looking to the Future

As the FOXG1 Research Center continues to make strides, Valli is especially excited about the lab’s gene therapy initiatives.

"We’re seeing early results that are promising. Of course, there’s still a lot to validate, but it’s encouraging to witness potential rescue effects in patient models."

When asked about her hopes for the future of FOXG1 research, she envisions a field that integrates multiple approaches—from patient-derived models to early intervention strategies—ultimately leading to precise, targeted therapies.

"The more we understand FOXG1’s role in forebrain development, the closer we get to meaningful breakthroughs. And every small step brings us there."

A Life Beyond the Lab

Outside of work, Valli turns to writing, sketching, and music to recharge. She’s been playing the violin for a while and recently began learning guitar. On quiet days, she enjoys playing video games or simply spending time in nature.

"Writing brings me clarity. Cooking, reading, talking with friends and family—those things help me reset after a long day in the lab."

A Message to the Community

As someone who came into neuroscience from a different path—and during a global pandemic—Valli’s story is one of persistence, openness, and steady growth. She reflects on how far she’s come with quiet confidence and gratitude.

To the FOXG1 community, she shares this message:

"Thank you for your trust and advocacy. Your hope and strength fuel our research every day. We’re in this together, and every step we take is for you."

Valli enjoying the view in Skaneateles, NY