FOXG1 Research Foundation's Nasha Fitter Speaks At The White House Rare Disease Forum

FOXG1 Research Foundation Co-founder and CEO Nasha Fitter was the first spotlight speaker at the White House Rare Disease Forum hosted by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy's Health Outcomes Team February 28th ahead of Rare Disease Day 2024.

FOXG1's Nasha Fitter to Speak at The White House Rare Disease Forum for Rare Disease Day 2024

FOXG1 Research Foundation’s Nasha Fitter is a featured speaker at the White House Rare Disease Forum hosted by the The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy will host a forum marking Rare Disease Day and highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to supporting patients and families facing a rare disease and delivering progress against the nearly 10,000 known rare diseases that impact up to 30 million Americans. Nasha Fitter will be speaking about the issues with rare disease drug development and share her personal story about her daughter with FOXG1 syndrome.

Seizure Action Plan: World Epilepsy Day

February 12th is World Epilepsy Day, and epilepsy is one of the most debilitating characteristics of FOXG1 syndrome. According to the FOXG1 syndrome patient registry study, more than 61% of FOXG1 patients suffer with seizures.

We want to share this wonderful resource from The Epilepsy Foundation. This Seizure Action Plan can

University at Buffalo launches center to find treatments for FOXG1 syndrome

University at Buffalo launches center to find treatments for FOXG1 syndrome

University at Buffalo announces the launch of the FOXG1 Research Center to study FOXG1 syndrome’s impact on brain development and translate research to treatments for FOXG1 syndrome. The FOXG1 Research Center will be led by leading experts Soo-Kyung and Jae Lee, whose own daughter has FOXG1 syndrome.

“This center will make UB the home of the world’s premier research center devoted to the studies of FOXG1 syndrome, as well as provide our campus with a new neurodevelopmental biology training program and numerous research funding opportunities,” says Soo-Kyung Lee, PhD, Empire Innovation Professor and Om P. Bahl Endowed Professor in the UB Department of Biological Sciences, who will serve as the FRC’s inaugural director as well as the Chief Scientific Officer of the FOXG1 Research Foundation.

2023 Impact Report

2023 marked six years of the FOXG1 Research Foundation. We are a parent-driven, global foundation with the mission to help improve the lives of every person affected by FOXG1 syndrome worldwide. We are known in the industry as innovators as we  focus on three equally critical areas: FOXG1 science, FOXG1 patient data, and FOXG1 patients and community. From advancing our gene therapy program to building our own bioinformatics platform, to helping guide parents through the rare disease medical caregiver journey, this year has been a year of upward progress in all three areas. Here are the FOXG1 Research Foundation highlights from 2023 and goals for 2024.


FOXG1 Parents Support Webinar: “Tell Us Abey” Communications System

The FOXG1 Parents Support Team introduces Josh Weitzman, co-creator of the "Tell Us Abey" communications system that he and his wife Michelle developed for their son Abraham “Abey,” who has FOXG1 syndrome. Witnessing Abey's ability to communicate with this tool has given the FOXG1 community a new outlook on our children's  cognitive abilities. Abey is a student at Columbia University and a skilled creative writer. In this webinar, Josh shares more about Abey, their FOXG1 journey, and explains how "Tell Us Abey" works.

FRF Appoints Chief Drug Development Officer, Dr. Gai Ayalon

The FOXG1 Research Foundation announces the appointment of Dr. Gai Ayalon as the Chief Drug Development Officer..

Dr. Ayalon is a distinguished neuroscientist and drug developer, who over many years led teams and spearheaded drug development programs for neurological diseases including rare neurodevelopmental disorders, spanning the discovery, translation and clinical phases. He joins our foundation at a critical and pivotal juncture as we enter Phase Four on our Path to a Cure, taking programs through safety studies and clinical trials. 

Dr. Soo-Kyung Lee Named FOXG1 Research Foundation Chief Scientific Officer

The FOXG1 Research Foundation (FRF), announced today the appointment of Dr. Soo-Kyung Lee as the new Chief Scientific Officer of the FOXG1 Research Foundation. Dr. Lee is an Empire Innovation Professor and Om P. Bahl Endowed Professor at University at Buffalo Department of Biological Sciences. Since joining the FRF in 2017, Dr. Lee has elevated the FOXG1 research center at the University at Buffalo to a global leader in the field. Her exceptional work has garnered around $3M annually from federal agencies, FRF, UB, and the Simon Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), notably receiving SFARI's 2022 Genomics of ASD: Pathways to Genetic Therapies award.

Dr. Lee’s dedication to curing FOXG1 syndrome is deeply personal as a mother to Yuna, diagnosed with FOXG1 syndrome in 2009. Her passion and commitment have inspired everyone fortunate enough to work with her. It's a rare and special circumstance to have FOXG1 parents leading the scientific journey towards effective therapeutics for all FOXG1 children globally.