“Dr. Jain is an immensely valuable member of my team. The novelty and high quality of her research is evidenced by many awards and recognitions.” – Nicole Brogden

Hometown: Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

Faculty mentor/advisor: Nicole K. Brogden, PharmD, PhD; Ting-Fong and Nei-Jia Chin Professor in Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy

Harsha Jain is creating dissolving patches that deliver migraine medicine through the skin—offering quick relief without the pain of injections or the delay of pills. Her approach combines microneedles with localized heat to enhance drug absorption, aiming to make migraine treatment faster, easier, and more comfortable for patients.

“Being involved in research at the University of Iowa has strengthened my problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, allowing me to design and execute experiments more effectively,” says Jain. “It has also helped me collaborate across disciplines and contribute to meaningful advancements in drug delivery.”

Her work has earned recognition at prestigious international conferences, including the Controlled Release Society, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, and the Gordon Research Conference. 

After her fellowship, Jain plans to pursue a career in translational pharmaceutical research, developing safe, effective, and patient-friendly therapies that make a meaningful impact on healthcare.