J. Kevin Foskett

J. Kevin Foskett is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Physiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. His research focuses on calcium signaling, membrane transport, and ion channel physiology, with significant contributions to understanding the inositol trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) and Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter (MCU) channels in contexts ranging from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. He also investigates the role of CALHM channels in taste perception and immune synapse communication.

Research Interests:

• Molecular physiology of calcium signaling in normal and disease states
• Biophysics of InsP3R and MCU ion channels
• Role of calcium in programmed cell death (apoptosis) and cancer
• Calcium signaling in neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Charcot-Marie-Tooth)
• Physiology of taste buds and epithelial secretion (including cystic fibrosis)

Awards and Honors:

• National Research Service Award (NRSA) and University of California Regents Fellowship (early career)
• MERIT Award, NIH (2011-2021)
• Stanley N. Cohen Biomedical Research Award, UPenn (2013)
• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2013-present)

Selected Publications: Recent work includes studies on mitochondrial calcium channels in cancer, CALHM1/6 roles in taste and immunity, and InsP3R mutations in neurological disorders. His lab employs techniques spanning electrophysiology, molecular biology, and live-cell imaging.