Alumni Story: Spotlight on Dr Nikita Stobbe-Poole

HSU graduate Nikita completed BSc Clinical Exercise Science before progressing to an MSc in Health Education and Promotion and a PhD in Tobacco Control at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Alongside research roles at leading Dutch institutions including Maastricht University and Leiden University Medical Centre, Nikita now works as a Research Advisor for Health Funds for a Smokefree Netherlands, specialising in public health and disease prevention.

What I do/did at HSU…

BSc Clinical Exercise Science (2015-2018). Other qualifications gained as part of my degree included ActiveIQ Level 3 Personal Training and ActiveIQ Level 2 Fitness Instructing (Gym)

Where (else) I studied/qualified…

I went on to complete a MSc in Health Education and Promotion (2018-2019) and a PhD in Tobacco Control (2020-2025), both at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Access Nikita’s thesis HERE

“…my passion lay more in preventing (chronic) disease and health behaviour-related poor quality of life than treating or managing it through exercise prescription…”

Who have a worked with…

Since completing my Masters, I have worked at various research institutes in the Netherlands: Research Institute for Lifestyle and Addiction IVO, Maastricht University where I also undertook my PhD in tobacco control, and Leiden University Medical Centre. I currently work as a research advisor at the NGO Health Funds for a Smokefree Netherlands.

What has helped me most…

Studying pathophysiology, long-term conditions, psychology and community health along with placements helped me realise my passion lay in disease prevention rather than management.