Nicki K. Apaydin, PhD
Associate Director of Communications
SC CTSI Role
In her role at SC CTSI, Dr. Nicki K. Apaydin establishes and maintains essential relationships with key stakeholders within and outside of the Institute for the purposes of furthering CTSI’s reach, mission statement, and adoption of services among local investigators and nationally. In addition, she handles internal and external communications, oversees marketing efforts, branding, event planning, promotion, and media relations.
Contact Information
nicki.apaydin@med.usc.edu
View USC Profile
Professional Background
Dr. Apaydin has a Ph.D. in Health Communications from the University of Florida, a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida, and bachelor's degrees in English Literature and Art History from Florida State University. Prior to coming to SC CTSI, she worked as the Assistant to the Director of Strategy and Communications at the UF CTSA hub.
She has previous professional experience working in journalism, public relations, health-related strategic communications, and launching a digital health magazine for millennials.
In her program of research, she examines how CTSAs use communication strategies to disseminate messages about public health and research. Her dissertation examined the relationship between female body image and use of social media.
Dr. Apaydin has over a decade of experience in teaching, and has won awards for her outstanding work. Previously, she served as part-time faculty at California State University Los Angeles, and the University of Florida. She now teaches in the USC Master of Public Health program where she educates the next generation of public health professionals. She lives at the beach with her husband, who is also an academic, and their dog (Beckett the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel).
Interests
Barre, cooking, live music