Dr. Javed grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She attended the University of Oklahoma, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a minor in ethnocultural anthropology. After undergrad, she moved to Fort Worth, Texas to pursue a master’s in clinical research and biostatistics at the University of North Texas Sciences Center.

During her studies there, she had the opportunity to work for the CDC in the maternal and child health department. Thanks to a report she wrote while working there, she helped improve procedures at the Mississippi Head Start program by making more efficient in identifying at-risk children under age 5.

She also spent time working with the Bi-National Health Program, which provided free medica...