Nicole Thomas is the Program Manager for the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Her research interests reside at the intersection of science and education, and include emergent social-ecological systems, complex systems theory, and alternative conceptions in science. Her dissertation focuses on understanding how early college science majors conceptualize the Mojave Desert ecosystem as a complex system. Her research findings have been disseminated in national and international journals including the Journal of College Science Teaching and Ecosphere. Nicole's work has garnered both institutional and national recognition, including a Women in STEM award from Senator Jacky Rosen's office, the Sam Lieberman Regents' Award for Student Scholarship, as well as being a two-time recipient of the Nevada NASA Space Grant Graduate Research Fellowship. She previously served three terms as the President of the Graduate & Professional Student Association from 2021-2024.

Nicole specializes in student research advising, mentoring, and advocacy. She previously earned a B.S. in biology with a focus in ecology and evolution, followed by an M.S. in curriculum and instruction from UNLV. She has taught undergraduate courses in science education and research methods. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the department of Educational Psychology and Higher Education at UNLV.