Nikki Tavasoli-Hozouri, Ph.D.

Nikki Tavasoli, Ph.D., is an economist specializing in the application of econometric modeling, machine learning, and causal inference to high-stakes regulatory matters. She is a Manager in the Intellectual Property Disputes Financial Expert Testimony practice of Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held. The practice area quantifies economic damages arising from Intellectual Property disputes and provides general litigation support.

With experience at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Tavasoli has led data-driven investigations into drug pricing, market competition, and healthcare policy, developing predictive models and frameworks to assess market behavior, damages, and regulatory impacts. Her work includes analyzing generic drug life cycles, designing opioid pricing models to inform federal policy, and evaluating the economic effects of substance bans—expertise directly applicable to antitrust, intellectual property disputes, and damages quantification in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

Dr. Tavasoli’s research blends behavioral economics, health policy, and advanced data science, with peer-reviewed publications and influential projects on topics ranging from medical expenditure forecasting to pollution abatement economics. She is proficient in translating complex quantitative analyses into clear, actionable insights for legal, regulatory, and business audiences, leveraging tools such as Python, R, SQL, and Stata.

Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Economics from UC Irvine, where she taught econometrics and statistics and worked on studies on household dietary choices and healthcare valuation. Dr. Tavasoli collaborated with clinicians and researchers at UC Irvine Health to design statistical analyses for medical studies, including work on colonoscopy efficacy and precancerous polyp detection. She is adept at evaluating market power, competitive effects, and class certification issues, with industry experience spanning pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare services, and consumer markets.

Dr. Tavasoli’s interdisciplinary approach bridges economic theory, empirical analysis, and regulatory practice, making her a strategic asset for litigation teams requiring rigorous, data-supported expert testimony. Her work has been cited in FDA policymaking and academic journals, including Environmental Sociology.