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 Harika Dechiraju, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

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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 did my bachelor’s in instrumentation and control engineering, followed by a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a focus on bioelectronics. I’ve always been fascinated by applying engineering principles to biological problems, so a postdoc in nanotechnology for biosensing felt like the right next step.

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

Honestly, it started with a childhood dream of becoming a doctor. Things didn’t quite pan out that way, and I ended up in engineering. But biology was always in the back of my mind. Eventually, I found this sweet spot where I could merge my engineering training with my passion for biology; it really is the best of both worlds! My hope is to create practical solutions for some of the biggest health challenges we face.

Daily Work & Routine 

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

It varies! Some days I’m in the cleanroom or wet lab doing hands-on experiments, other days are heavy on data analysis, writing papers, or putting together grant proposals. And then there are days full of meetings or paperwork (more than you’d expect!). Occasionally, I get a quiet day just for reading and catching up, which is nice.

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

Not something I do every day, but at the end of each week I do a little self-check. I go through my to-do list, sort through data, and put slides together. It helps me take stock of what I’ve accomplished, celebrate small wins, and plan for the week ahead.

Research & Impact 

5. Can you share a bit about your research and why it matters?

My research has two main threads. First, I work on nanofabricated biosensors for single- molecule detection. These sensors let us study individual biomolecules, which gives insights you just can’t get from bulk assays. Second, I’m developing digital microfluidic platforms that miniaturize and automate biological assays. That means using nanoliter volumes instead of milliliters, reducing plastic waste, and cutting down on the manual effort needed to run experiments. Both areas have the potential to make diagnostics more efficient, sustainable, and scalable.

Personal Touch 

6. How do you balance life in and outside the lab?

I make sure to carve out time for walks, fitness classes, and hanging out with friends. And I try to take at least one weekend a month completely off from work—it really helps recharge.

7. What hobbies help you unwind after work?

Simple things, really. A nice walk, a good meal, or watching sitcoms on TV. I’ve rewatched most of the popular ones multiple times at this point!

8. Any fun lab quirks?

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. 

Advice & Future 

9. What advice would you give to new postdocs?

It’s a lot more independent than grad school, and the timeline is shorter, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Prioritize what matters, ask for help, and don’t try to do everything yourself. Making it a one-person show will only make things harder.

10. Where do you see your career heading?

I’d like to move into the biotech industry, working on scalable, usable devices that can really make an impact on health care.