I'm Nicole, a PhD candidate at the University of Florida.

My research examines healthy aging, social determinants of health, and the human-animal bond, with a focus on how these factors shape well-being across the lifespan.

I enjoy collaborating with other researchers and stakeholders to develop evidence-based resources and policies that advance health equity.

I’m based in Northeast Florida where I live with my husband and rescue dog “Chuy”.

In my final year as a PhD student, I'm dedicated to establishing an impactful career promotes healthy aging through evidenced-based interventions and policy.

Research

Teaching

Dissertation

“Exploring the intersection of pet ownership, living alone, and healthy aging among older adults- implications for aging-in-place with pets: A multi-methods study”

PHC 6605: Social Determinants of Health
Co-instructor

SPA 6581: Multiculturalism & Equity Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Co-instructor

HSC 3661: Therapeutic Communication 
Teaching Assistant

Peer-reviewed

Jones, J. N., Jacobs, M., & Ellis, C. (2024). Social Networks and Communication Impairment: Racial Differences Among Stroke Survivors. Perspectives of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association Special Interest Groups, 1-9.

Jones, J. N., Ellis, C., & Jacobs, M. (2024). Abstract TMP33: Do Social Networks Matter in Post-Stroke Communication Recovery?. Stroke, 55(Suppl_1), ATMP33-ATMP33

In-progress

Jones, J. N., Escobar, K., Pyche, C., Morgan-Daniel, J., Struckmeyer, L. R., & Applebaum, J. W. (2025). Exploring the Impact of Pet Ownership on Functional Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults Living Alone: A Scoping Review. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/NYWMH.

Gutierrez, S., Cherenack, E., McDonald, S. E., Escobar, K., Jones, J. N., Manavalan, P., Fabelo, H. E., Widmeyer, M., Safren, S., Cook, R. L., & Applebaum, J. W. (2025). Relationships between comfort from pets, unmet pet needs, and mental illness symptoms among people with HIV.

American Speech, Language and Hearing Association Perspectives Editor’s Award 2025

Health and Retirement Study Data Training Tuition Award 2025

Grinter Fellowship Fall 2022-2025

Neal Pitts Foundation Fellowship Scholarship Award 2023-2024

Saffran Conference Scholar Award Fall 2024

Grant-writing

Graduate research assistant

Conference presentations

Course development

Clinical healthcare

Adult Speech-Language Pathologist

Publications

Awards

Experience

“A person is a person through other persons.”

-Desmond Tutu