Dr. Nikan's research centers around AI/ML, computer vision, data analytics, and signal processing, which has made significant contributions to optimized deep/machine learning-based technologies for highly demanding areas of automotive and autonomous systems, smart and sustainable agriculture, health sciences and biomedical engineering. She possesses a rich industry research background in AI and autonomous driving with 3 years of experience at Ford Motor Company prior to joining Western.

Dr. Nikan is the Principal Investigator of the AiX Lab, which researches artificial intelligence applications, aiming to contribute to advancements that positively impact society. She is the AI lead for the ALLEars project, a project that will use artificial intelligence and 3D printing to a streamline complex process for children who use hearing aids. She uses her experience working in AI and computer vision, on everything from self-driving cars and screening for hearing disabilities to sleep patterns and heart arrhythmia, to choose projects that are safety critical or have societal need, such as food security.