Nikki is from Pittsburgh, PA and is a dual citizen of the United States and Iran. She is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences with minors in Chemistry, Persian, and Women’s and Gender Studies, and she plans to become a physician with a focus on equitable and women-centered healthcare.

Her experiences traveling between the U.S. and Iran have shaped her understanding of how healthcare is deeply influenced by culture, politics, and ideology, and have reinforced the importance of autonomy in both healthcare and education. Through internships in Peru and Belize, Nikki has seen firsthand how compassion, empathy, and cultural understanding are essential to effective medical care across borders. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to advocating for patients and underserved communities.

Nikki’s background in women-centered research under Dr. Ackenbom at Magee Women’s Hospital, along with her role as a Peer Safe Educator, has provided her with a strong foundation in research, patient-centered care, and health advocacy. She hopes to bring these experiences to her work as a research assistant with the CIRCLE Collaborative and to help build a future where healthcare is safer, more inclusive, and more accessible for all.