Research Scientist

Nicole joined IHMC in February 2025 as a Research Scientist working with the healthspan, resilience, and performance team. She comes to IHMC from Emory University, School of Medicine, where she was director of the Gait, Exercise, and Rehabilitation (GEAR) Lab.

Nicole’s academic training includes the fields of biomechanics, motor control, rehabilitation, and exercise physiology. Her research interests have included projects using real-time gait biofeedback as an intervention for diabetic neuropathy, and muscle use and activation patterns in runners.

She is also a certified and licensed Athletic Trainer, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. Her IHMC appointment is in collaboration with the University of West Florida, where she is a faculty member of the Usha Kundu MD College of Health.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from West Virginia University. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Virginia and Ph.D. in exercise physiology from the University of Miami. She serves on multiple standing committees through the American College of Sports Medicine and American Society of Biomechanics and was most recently elected President-Elect of the American College of Sports Medicine Southeast Chapter.

In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, spending time at the beach and hiking with her husband and two sons. She is also a marathoner and Ironman triathlete who is getting back to long-distance training.