The PhD Race’s Spotlight Series highlights the research journeys of PhD students from around the world. Our stories of discovery and resilience deserve to reach far beyond the small circle of our advisory committees. Read on and celebrate the inspiring work of those pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
Meet Varsha Reddy Durgempudi, a determined PhD candidate at McGill University, uncovering the hidden molecular clues that drive head and neck cancer. With a mind wired for structure and a heart shaped by personal loss, Varsha is on a mission to decode how cancer behaves at the cellular level. Her research focuses on two key proteins, Alpha and Beta, and how secret signals between them might reshape everything we know about this disease.
When asked what inspired her to pursue a PhD, Varsha shared a deeply personal reason:
I lost my grandfather to an aggressive liver sarcoma. Watching his battle with cancer and how limited the treatment options have lit a fire in me. That moment turned my curiosity into a mission.
With that mission in mind, she began her path into cancer research, driven by purpose, persistence, and the kind of curiosity that turns complex questions into important discoveries.
Why Varsha’s research matters
Head and neck cancer can be fast-moving and difficult to treat. Varsha’s work explores the role of Alpha and Beta, two proteins that interact in ways that help cancer grow. While researchers already know that Alpha binds to Beta in cancer cells, Varsha is asking a new question: what happens when Alpha is chopped up and sent outside the cell?.
This “released” form of Alpha might be changing how Beta behaves. It could be rewiring signals that control how cancer cells grow, move, and survive. If this is true, it could open the door to new drug targets and lead to more precise treatments for these aggressive cancers.
If we crack this code, it could open up a new class of targets to outsmart cancer.
Her research is helping move cancer therapy toward smarter and more effective approaches.
A discovery that changed everything
One of Varsha’s most exciting moments in the lab happened when she found a version of the Beta protein in an organelle of the cell where no one expected it.
It blew my mind. There were scarcely any talks about it being there!
This surprising discovery opened up a whole new direction for her research and showed how paying close visual attention can lead to major breakthroughs.
An epic fail that paid off
Like many PhD students, Varsha has faced her share of setbacks. Early in her research career, she tried to build a custom ELISA kit to save money. The first attempt failed completely. But instead of giving up, she dove into the literature, searched for protocols, and slowly figured out how to make it work.
That fail taught me persistence is a superpower.
It was a turning point that reminded her how setbacks often hold the best learning opportunities.
Her productivity secret
If there is one thing Varsha believes in, it is planning.
Without a clear plan, it’s easy to waste days feeling ‘busy’ but getting nowhere.
She uses detailed experimental plans (3-month plans works amazingly for her), weekly reviews, and habit tracking to stay focused and make steady progress. Her structure helps her stay grounded through the ups and downs of research life.
Beyond the lab
When she is not in the lab, Varsha loves collecting coins and currency notes from around the world. It is a hobby that combines her love of structure with her curiosity about global cultures.
She is also a big fan of movies and series, especially thrillers, sci-fi, and horror. Favorites like Dark, Black Mirror, and How to Get Away with Murder are always on her list. Whether it is Hollywood or Tollywood (Telugu) cinema, she is drawn to stories with suspense and mind-bending twists.
Varsha’s advice to fellow PhD researchers
Persistence, planning, and purpose. These three qualities shape Varsha’s PhD race. Whether she is setting up an experiment, recovering from a failed one, or managing the stress of research life, she stays focused by remembering why she started.
Planning helps me stay focused, efficient, and actually see progress week to week.
What’s next for Varsha?
Varsha is nearing an exciting milestone. Her first first-author paper is almost ready, and she is looking forward to sharing her findings with the research community. In the meantime, you can read her conference abstract here
You can follow her research journey and daily life as a PhD student on Instagram at @varsharedyy
LinkedIn: Varsha Reddy Durgempudi
Google Scholar: Varsha Reddy Durgempudi
Varsha’s story is a reminder that research is not just about results. It is about the process, the setbacks, and the small wins that build resilience over time.
Here is to tiny soluble proteins, bold questions, mind-blowing answers, and researchers like Varsha who are helping us better understand the science behind cancer.
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