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”.

Reasearch

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”

Publications

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.


Aging in Place Research Fund 2025
University of Florida
Amount Awarded: $90,000
”Risks & Benefits of Aging in Place with Pets among Older Adults with HIV”
Roles: Co-author, co-investigator

                  

Funded Grants

Teaching

PHC 6605: Social Determinants of Health
Co-instructor

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

HSC 3661:Therapeutic Communication 
Teaching Assistant

Awards

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

Health and Retirement Study Data Training Tuition Award 2025

Grinter Fellowship 2022-2025

Neal Pitts Foundation Fellowship Scholarship Award 2023-2024

Saffran Conference Scholar Award 2024

Experience

Grant-writing

Graduate research assistant

Conference presentations

Course development

Clinical healthcare

Adult Speech-Language Pathologist

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

“A person is a person through other persons.”

-Desmond Tutu