A Young VCP Researcher's Story: 'Our Work Isn't Abstract—It's Connected to Real People
- brandon63830
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
When young VCP researcher Shruthi Balasubramaniyan arrived at the 2024 VCP International Scientific Conference in Pasadena, California, she was early in her PhD journey, focused on basic science, and uncertain where her research would lead. She left with renewed motivation and a vision for how her work could move from the lab bench toward real impact for patients.
Researchers and Patients, Side by Side
Shruthi explains,"Attending the VCP international conference in Pasadena, California, last year was a grounding experience of my early PhD career. Unlike traditional scientific meetings, this conference brought researchers and patients together in the same room—people living with the very conditions we spend years studying at the cellular and molecular level."
"What struck me most was how open and generous the patient community is, and hearing their stories added a human dimension that data and figures can't capture. It reminded me that our work isn't abstract—it's connected to real people waiting for answers."
Inspired by Collaboration
"The scientific sessions were equally inspiring. Researchers presented new approaches to understanding the functions of VCP in the context of multisystem proteinopathies and neurodegeneration. The atmosphere felt very collaborative—scientists, clinicians, patients, and advocates all questioning, learning, and imagining solutions together."
The conference came at a pivotal moment. Working in the Chu Lab at the University of Pittsburgh, Shruthi had been focused on basic science and was uncertain where her research would lead. That collaborative atmosphere re-energized her.
Shruthi receiving an award for her research presentation at the 2024 VCP International Scientific Conference.
The Questions That Drive Us Forward
Shurthi explains the gaps in rare disease, "One thing that became clear to me at the conference was just how much we still don't understand about rare diseases. It's important to study these rare diseases at the molecular level to understand the unique cellular pathways that define them."
"In our research, we focused on nuclear protein aggregation—a feature consistently observed in the brain tissue of patients with FTLD-type D, a form of frontotemporal dementia linked to mutations in the VCP gene. Why does this happen? And what role does VCP play in this unusual pattern? These questions keep drawing us forward."
From the Lab Bench to Real Impact
In the year since the conference, Shruthi's research has evolved significantly. Her focus has shifted from foundational science toward a more translational approach—work aimed at identifying targetable pathways that could one day lead to treatments for VCP families.
"I left the conference feeling more motivated than ever. It reinforced why I chose this field: to do meaningful science that transitions from the lab bench to making a real difference in people's lives."
Join Us in Atlanta: July 22–25, 2026
Shruthi's story illustrates something we've seen again and again: when you create space for researchers and patients to connect, remarkable things happen. Young investigators find renewed purpose. Established scientists discover new collaborators. Patients gain insight into the work being done on their behalf. And everyone leaves with a deeper understanding of why this work matters.
The 2024 conference in Pasadena changed Shruthi's research direction. By attending the 2026 VCP International Scientific & Community Summit, you can be part of inspiring and equipping the next generation of young VCP researchers—creating the connections that shape how young scientists approach their work and accelerate the path to treatments. This year's summit will be a hybrid of scientific sessions and community gathering, designed to foster the kinds of connections that lead to action.
Progress. Connections. Hope. None of it happens without you.
Opportunities like these only happen because of donor support. If you're interested in helping advance therapies through collaboration, please consider making a gift today.
Finding a cure is in our DNA. And it happens when we come together.
