September 15-19, 2025, is National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Since 2009, the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) has sponsored this annual celebration to recognize the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to research and scientific discovery. Check out the NPA website to view the virtual and in-person events being held this week. 

This week, BPS will be highlighting postdoc members on the blog. Today, read about Goutham Kodakandla, University of Pennsylvania.

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Background & Inspiration 

1. Can you tell us a little about your background and what brought you to your current postdoc position? 

I got my PhD from the research laboratory of Dr. Darren Boehning at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. After my PhD, I was looking for postdoctoral positions in the Philadelphia area and Dr. Boehning put in a good word for me in the laboratory of Dr. J. Kevin Foskett in the department of Physiology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Foskett gave me an interview and asked me about my research and career goals. The meeting lasted about 2 hours and after that he asked me to write a proposal with motifs that I would like to pursue in his lab. The back and forth went on for about 6 months before Dr. Foskett offered me a position in his lab. 

2. What inspired you to pursue research in your field? 

In my junior year and senior year of my undergraduate education, I worked on several research projects. During this time, the lab supervisor encouraged me to think how to answer different research questions we had. I fell in love with the process of figuring out answers to scientific questions.  

Daily Work & Routine 

3. What does a typical day look like for you as a postdoc? 

I’m a morning person. I’m usually in the lab around 6 AM. I usually start Sunday and set up experiments so I can work on these experiments during the week instead of starting my experiments on Monday. My most productive hours on any given day are between 6 to 11. This includes wet lab work mostly, but I save my data analysis for the second half of the day. This early in the day I like the calm and peace in the building which helps me focus. I finish up my experiments and leave the lab around 3 PM to go to the gym and workout for an hour before heading home. I have early dinner around 6 and go to bed around 9. I spend some time reading between dinner and bedtime. This reading ranges from scientific literature to casual reading.  

4. Do you have a favorite part of your daily routine—or a task you look forward to most? 

My first cup of coffee I have after getting to the lab around 6. And catching up on emails/literature and starting my experiments. 

5. What’s one part of your day that people might find surprising or unexpected? 

That I am in the lab at 6 AM. 

Research & Impact 

6. Can you briefly describe your research project and why it matters? 

My research is focused on intracellular calcium channels such as IP3 and MCU. My main project is to understand the endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria calcium transfer process and how it goes awry in pancreatic cancer. Understanding this process will help design drugs down the line that can interfere this transfer process to stop cancer progression. 

7. What’s the most exciting discovery or moment you’ve had during your postdoc so far? 

Without going into specifics, using different calcium indicators we have found out that the basal levels in the pancreatic cancer cells are higher than normal cells.  

Personal Touch 

8. How do you balance life in the lab with life outside of it? 

I try to compartmentalize and focus on what I’m doing at any given time. For example, when I’m in the lab, I try to minimize the distractions and focus on my research. And when I’m not in the lab, I focus on not thinking too much about work. 

9. What hobbies or activities help you recharge after work? 

I workout regularly. I also like to run. The peace and calm during these workouts gives me the opportunity to forget about the stress of research and helps me relax. I’m also a photographer (https://gkpictures.us). When I’m not doing any of those above, I watch sports. Any sports. 

10. Any fun lab quirks? 

When things are not working, I shut off music or podcasts or any kind of distraction and focus on the small details, the simple and basic things when we do experiments. 

Advice & Future 

11. What advice would you give to someone just starting a postdoc? 

A postdoc is a job. You’re not a student anymore. Approach it like you’d approach a job. Set boundaries. When you’re working, give your 100% focus on work. When you’re done, try not to think about work.  

12. Where do you see yourself heading next in your career? 

I’m working on applying for some funding next year. I’m collating different funding opportunities that are available to me. I’m also working on finishing up some experiments to submit a manuscript in the next year.