Marzieh Gahvarband is a Ph.D. student in the Religious Studies department at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She also holds a master's degree in Women's Studies from the University of Alabama's Gender and Race Studies department. As a Ph.D. student, Marzieh is interested in investigating the impact of conservative religious interpretations on the formation of systemic gender-based violence, specifically femicide, and their intersection with women's movements in the Middle East, particularly in Iran.

Marzieh has been awarded the Mahsa Amini Graduate Fellowship as its inaugural recipient, recognizing her advocacy for Iranian women who face gender discrimination. Beyond academia, Marzieh volunteers with a platform promoting equity and inclusion for marginalized and minoritized groups.