Putting Wellness PHirst: Maryam ‘Niki’ Tavallali on Environmental Health and Community Well-Being

Rutgers School of Public Health Wellness PHirst Ambassador Maryam ‘Niki’ Tavallali shares how her passion for environmental health, prevention, and community connection shapes her path in public health

At the Rutgers School of Public Health, the Office for Student Experiences, Public Health Practice, and Alumni Affairs advances the school’s commitment to cultivating a culture of health and well-being through its various initiatives, including the Wellness PHirst program. Designed to integrate wellness practices into every aspect of the school community – among students, faculty, and staff – the program promotes the Dimensions of Wellness: cultural, social-emotional, occupational, intellectual, creative, environmental, physical, spiritual, and financial.

As part of this effort, the Wellness PHirst Ambassadors play an essential role in bringing these dimensions to life. These student leaders mentor their peers, promote wellness resources, and co-facilitate programs and initiatives that enhance engagement, connection, and belonging across the Rutgers School of Public Health community.

Among them is Maryam ‘Niki’ Tavallali, a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Environmental Health Sciences student. Here, she shares her path into environmental public health, why she chose to be a Wellness PHirst Ambassador, and her life outside of the classroom.

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Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.

I grew up in a region that shifted from semi-arid to increasingly arid with repeated drought, so I saw early how the environment can shape daily life, and health. With a background in water engineering, I kept coming back to one question: how do we connect environmental systems to real health outcomes in a way that communities can use? Public health felt like the right interdisciplinary “home” because it links science, policy, and prevention instead of stopping at the clinic door. 

At the Rutgers School of Public Health, I focus on environmental exposures and affordable interventions in water and heat to protect communities at higher risk. Last year (January 2025), I worked as a lab assistant and QA/QC data manager at Environmental Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), supporting the REFLECT Cool Roof project, a global trial designed to help low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) adapt to extreme heat by evaluating impacts on health, environmental sustainability, and economic outcomes. Since January 2026, I have joined a new lab working on a lead service line project that investigates lead exposure before and after service line replacement to better quantify risk and inform mitigation strategies.

Long-term, I want my work to be both sustainable and actionable, and I strongly believe that without community education, even the best technical solutions won’t translate into real health protection.

What is the significance of environmental wellness and its impact on public health?

For me, environmental wellness starts personally, when my surroundings feel clean, stable, and supportive, I show up with more energy and clarity. But it also scales up: air quality, water safety, housing conditions, and heat exposure shape what people can realistically do to stay healthy. Working in environmental health has made me more aware of my own footprint and also more committed to practical changes that communities can sustain. 

I also try to stay engaged as a learner: last October, I attended the Water and Health conference and shared my bachelor’s project on water resource management for the river that serves as the main drinking-water source for my hometown. Being in that space helped me connect with other researchers, understand the real-world challenges more deeply, and think more clearly about how I can contribute. Environmental wellness isn’t a “nice to have”; it’s a foundation for prevention.

Public health felt like the right interdisciplinary ‘home’ because it links science, policy, and prevention instead of stopping at the clinic door... My goal is to contribute to a culture where we check in on each other and treat well-being as a strength, not an afterthought.

Maryam ‘Niki’ Tavallali

Master of Public Health Student  and Wellness PHirst Ambassador

Why did you choose to become a Wellness PHirst Ambassador?

I applied to be a Wellness PHirst Ambassador because I don’t see wellness as separate from public health; it’s part of practicing what we advocate. Graduate school can be intense, and I’ve learned that staying grounded across multiple dimensions of wellness is what keeps me consistent, present, and effective. I also care a lot about building an environment where students, especially international students, feel seen, supported, and connected. 

In this role, I want to help make wellness resources easier to access and more “real,” by encouraging small habits, honest conversations, and community-building. My goal is to contribute to a culture where we check in on each other and treat well-being as a strength, not an afterthought.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your academic and professional life?

Outside of public health, I love learning languages and using them as a bridge into different cultures. I’m really into music and cinema, and I can easily spend hours talking about directors, actors, and the way storytelling reflects society. Lately, I’ve also been learning how to enjoy living alone as an adult, making my space feel like home, and finding joy in everyday routines. At the same time, I genuinely enjoy gatherings and meeting new people; I’m naturally extroverted, and I rarely turn down a chance to connect. 

One of my favorite memories at Rutgers so far was attending the Rutgers Blackout Game with my fellow Wellness PHirst Ambassadors. It was such a fun, high-energy experience and a really special moment for us as a group. As an international student, building community didn’t happen overnight, but I’ve learned to be intentional about friendships, and I value the spaces that make that easier.