Nikki joined KDHRC as a research assistant right out of graduate school. Today she leads a team of researchers across a variety of projects. Together, Nikki and her team develop proposals, conduct research, write content, design and implement evaluations, and write and disseminate findings. Nikki enjoys the nuance of conducting applied research and evaluation, learning about new topic areas, and analyzing qualitative data.
Nikki received a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology, Biology, and German from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. She then combined these areas of interest — obtaining an M.A. in Applied Anthropology from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a focus on biological anthropology of chronic and infectious diseases. Nikki also completed a post baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases exploring the relationship between diet change, diabetes, and tuberculosis in South Korea.
In her free time, Nikki enjoys watching nature documentaries, random DIY projects, and exploring historical sites. Her favorite podcasts include Ologies with Alie Ward, This Podcast Will Kill You, and The Wild with Chris Morgan. When not in the office, you can find Nikki hiking along the Chattahoochee River, reading a good book, or taking long car trips with her dog, Gus.
