What began as a father’s heartbreak has grown into a global mission of hope. Dr. Chandrasekhar Thodupunuri, a cardiologist turned researcher, has dedicated his life to decoding one of the world’s most challenging conditions — autism. His personal journey of pain and perseverance has led to the creation of the Resplice Autism Research Institute, Hyderabad — India’s first institution to offer Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) therapy to address autism through the gut-brain connection.
Dr. Thodupunuri’s mission is deeply personal. His daughter, born in 2015, was diagnosed with autism a year later. Along with behavioural symptoms, she suffered from severe gut problems — something that conventional medicine could not resolve. “As a father, I was desperate to help her. As a doctor, I was determined to find the root cause,” he recalls.
That determination took him from cardiology to the emerging science of the gut microbiome — the trillions of bacteria in the human gut that affect not just digestion, but also mood, learning, and brain function.
Turning Grief into Groundbreaking Research
In 2017, Dr. Thodupunuri began researching whether healing the gut could ease autism symptoms. His work has since produced groundbreaking results — including the development of Gut Microbiome Transplantation (FMT) and detox-based healing protocols that have shown up to 40% improvement in autistic children’s behaviour and quality of life.
Today, the Resplice Autism Research Institute runs India’s first stool bank, leads ICMR-approved clinical trials, and pioneers AI-driven microbiome diagnostics for neurological and metabolic disorders.
But the vision goes beyond treatment. “Autism doesn’t begin after birth — it starts in the womb,” he explains. “If we can protect mothers from environmental toxins during pregnancy, we can prevent autism before it begins.”
A New Era: Autism Prevention Before Birth
The institute’s preventive program for expecting mothers focuses on toxin-free pregnancies through safe detox methods, nutritional support with N-acetyl cysteine, folic acid, and vitamins, and lifestyle changes to eliminate plastics, pesticides, and harmful cosmetics.
This maternal care model, Dr. Thodupunuri believes, can pave the way for an autism-free generation. “We are not just treating autism — we are preventing it,” he says.
Parents Turned Partners in Science
Resplice has become a movement powered by doctors who are also parents of autistic children. One such parent is Dr. Kala Ramya Marepally, Chief Scientific Officer at the Institute and a former dentist who left her U.S. practice to help her son.
“When my son was diagnosed with autism, I felt helpless. But after seeing his improvement at Resplice, I decided to dedicate my life to this mission,” she says.
Her story mirrors the spirit of many families who have joined Dr. Thodupunuri — blending science, empathy, and personal experience to change countless lives.
Awareness and Free Support for Families
To help parents and caregivers understand the new science of autism, Resplice Autism Research Institute is hosting a Free Autism Assessment and Awareness Camp from October 29 to November 15, 2025, at its Manikonda centre in Hyderabad.
A Father’s Promise to the World
From a small clinic to a full-fledged research institute, Dr. Chandrasekhar Thodupunuri’s journey is a testament to what love and science can achieve together. His work is now recognized as a pioneering effort in understanding how the gut-brain axis shapes neurodevelopment.
“I began this journey for my daughter,” he says softly. “But today, it’s for every child, every family, and every mother who dreams of a healthy, happy child.”
From a father’s pain to a global mission — Dr. Thodupunuri’s story is rewriting the narrative of autism, replacing despair with determination and hope with healing.
