At the intersection of biomaterials, computation, and human health, Ishita Jain, Ph.D., is exploring new ways to model the human immune system. As a postdoctoral researcher in Mechanical Engineering and an American Heart Association Fellow, she’s helping advance the next generation of tools for regenerative medicine. 

Jain is a bioengineer whose research is focused on building artificial human tissues to study diseases and understand the human immune system. Her work combines computational biology with the design of novel biomaterial systems for regenerative medicine, with the goal of recreating complex physiological phenomena within hydrogel-based platforms.  

Prior to Georgia Tech, Jain completed her Ph.D. in Bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Ubrana – Champaign in 2022. She connected with her current advisors, Dr. Ankur Singh and Dr. Andres Garcia, during the 2024 regional Society for Biomaterials conference. That meeting ended up shaping the next chapter of her scientific journey.  

When asked why she chose Georgia Tech for her postdoc, Jain responded, “Georgia Tech stood out to me because of its strong legacy of interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific excellence. The project I joined aligned perfectly with my long-term career goals and offered a chance to contribute to truly pioneering work.”  

A typical day in her life as a postdoc includes a blend of hands-on experiments, data analysis, and scientific discussions. She notes that she particularly enjoys attending seminar talks that spark new ideas and collaborations.  

Recognized for Excellence and Collaboration 

Jain’s apparent dedication and impact recently earned her recognition during this year’s Postdoc Appreciation Week, following a nomination from a colleague who chose to remain anonymous. That colleague described Jain as a model of both scientific excellence and community spirit.  

“Ishita embodies the very qualities that make a postdoctoral scholar invaluable to both science and community: intelligence, creativity, ingenuity, and generosity,” the nominator shared. “Her research approach is consistently innovative, blending deep technical expertise with a remarkable ability to think outside the box. She’s quick to identify elegant solutions to complex problems and just as quick to help others refine their own ideas.”  

Her nominator also acknowledged Jain’s collaborative spirit, mentioning that she is “the kind of colleague who uplifts those around her,” and that she “never hesitates to share her knowledge, troubleshoot experiments, or mentor junior members of the lab.”  

Life Outside the Lab  

When she is not in the lab, Jain channels creativity through movement. She is an avid dancer, who is currently training in both Indian Classical Dance as well as Aerial dancing. Outside of the dance studio, Jain loves to explore Atlanta’s vibrant food scene, noting favorite spots such as Saints + Council, LanZhao Ramen, and Nathu’s Sweets.  

Jain’s research contributions embody the mission of Georgia Tech: to advance technology and to improve the human condition. Through innovative biomaterial systems and computational modeling, she is helping to create new tools for understanding human health and disease, which ultimately shaping the future of regenerative medicine.