Niki Razavi, MPH, discovered her life's path began at UTMB—literally—when she learned during orientation that she was born at the very institution where she would earn her master's degree.
For Niki, who graduated from UTMB's School of Public and Population Health (SPPH) in May 2025, this revelation transformed what could have been an intimidating first day into a moment of clarity. "Discovering that I was born at UTMB felt surreal, I was filled with excitement," she recalls. "It gave me a sense of purpose and reassurance. Whenever I faced fear or stress during my journey, I reminded myself of that moment."
After earning her bachelor's degree in public health from the University of Houston, Niki spent a year and a half working at personal injury law firms, where she developed a strong understanding of the legal process and the importance of guiding clients through difficult times with care and clarity.
The path to UTMB came through an unexpected conversation. Despite being born there, Niki did not know the institution offered an MPH program until a friend mentioned it just days before the application deadline. "I quickly got my letters of recommendation, personal statement, and transcripts ready days before and submitted it," she says, crediting her strong professional network for making the impossible possible.
Bridging Science and Community Trust Through Research
During her Applied Practice Experience (APE), Niki worked with the Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance to help bridge the gap between researchers and the communities they serve. She developed researcher profiles that highlighted the people behind the science—sharing their backgrounds, areas of expertise, and personal interests. The project aimed to build trust with potential research participants by helping them feel more connected to the researchers who might be entrusted with their personal information and involvement.
For her Integrative Learning Experience (ILE), Niki examined how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect mental health among racial and ethnic minority groups. Her research found strong links between ACEs, mental health, substance use and highlighted the need for more culturally responsive support programs tailored to these communities.
Faculty Support and Student Advocacy Shape Academic Success
Throughout her journey, Niki found SPPH's commitment to student success exceptional. Faculty support stood out from her first day when her advisor Leslie Stalnaker encouraged her to attempt full-time enrollment despite her concerns. "That experience taught me that it's okay to feel nervous, but it's also important to believe in yourself and your ability to rise to the challenge," Niki reflects.
When MPH students expressed feeling overwhelmed by the shared coursework expectations with PhD students, collective feedback was gathered and shared with program leadership, ultimately leading to meaningful changes. "This experience taught me the power of collective advocacy and the importance of creating a space for concerns to be acknowledged and addressed."
Public Health Training Informs Future Legal Career
As Niki prepares for law school, she sees clear connections between her MPH training and her future legal career. Her public health education taught her the "importance of understanding how diverse backgrounds and life experiences influence outcomes."
Her perspective will guide her approach to personal injury law, where client interactions are often limited by heavy caseloads. As Niki says, “I want to approach personal injury law differently, prioritizing trust through direct, personal engagement.”
Advice for Future Students
Niki's advice for prospective students centers on taking the leap despite uncertainties: "Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect."
Current students should focus on organization and effective reading habits. Niki color-coded her classes, documented powerful quotes from guest speakers, and built a vocabulary list of public health terminology.
Most importantly, she emphasizes, "Your voice matters. Express yourself and help create change!"
Niki graduated in May 2025 with a 4.0 GPA. She plans to attend law school, with aspirations to practice personal injury law while making a broader impact on underserved communities.