Nicole M Dennis

Nicole M Dennis,

Research Assistant Professor

Department: Department of Environmental and Global Health
Business Phone: (352) 273-9188
Business Email: n.dennis@ufl.edu

About Nicole M Dennis

I am an environmental toxicologist with a biological and analytical chemistry background. I am broadly interested in how low-dose chronic environmental exposures to real and complex chemical mixtures affect ecosystem and human health. My key focuses are on analytical method development as well as understanding the occurrence, fate, transport, toxicity, and risk of emerging and legacy contaminant mixtures within both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Additional Positions:
Affiliate Faculty
2024 – Current · University of Florida Water Institute
Affiliate Faculty
2024 – Current · University of Florida Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology

Accomplishments

Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
2021-2024 · National Institutes of Health
Outstanding Doctoral Student Award
2021 · Texas Tech University
Outstanding Master’s Student Award
2020 · Texas Tech University

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2024
PHC6326 Environmental and One Health
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that creating a strong sense of belonging among students is essential to their success. By fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment, I encourage students to actively participate in scientific inquiry and collaborative discussions. My approach incorporates assorted learning formats, group projects, and individualized mentorship. I emphasize professional development and teamwork, ensuring students feel connected to their field and their peers. Beyond the classroom, I am dedicated to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research and professional development. I believe in meeting students where they are individually, without judgment, to foster an environment where all feel confident to ask questions. No matter our stage in life, I believe that the person standing before us knows something we do not. It is only when we step outside of ourselves and truly listen to others, regardless of stature, that we can meet the needs of those who seek our guidance. This is especially important when working with students from underprivileged backgrounds and those traditionally underrepresented in STEM.

Research Profile

To date, my research has demonstrated that mixtures of contaminants interact in unpredictable ways, sometimes producing non-additive toxicological effects that challenge traditional risk assessment models. I have identified species-specific bioaccumulation patterns in wildlife, quantified human dietary exposure from biosolids and wastewater applications, and pioneered novel analytical techniques for detecting emerging contaminants in complex environmental matrices. Moving forward, my research program will expand upon my expertise and be guided by several fundamental questions: What mechanisms govern the transport, transformation, and bioaccumulation of organic contaminants in complex environmental matrices? How do synergistic, antagonistic, or additive interactions among chemical mixtures influence toxicity and risk in agricultural and natural ecosystems? And which innovative risk mitigation strategies—integrating analytical methods, laboratory experiments, and field-based trials—can most effectively reduce exposure risks and protect public health? I am developing these inquiries into a research program that integrates mixture toxicology frameworks, exposure science, and ecological risk assessments and creates new methodologies to advance the fields of environmental chemistry and toxicology.

Publications

Academic Articles
2025
Corrigendum to ‘A High-throughput analytical method for complex contaminant mixtures in biosolids’ [Environ. Pollut., 345 (2024) 123517].
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987). [DOI] 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.125708. [PMID] 39894743.
2025
Maternal transfer and sex-differences in brain bioaccumulation for Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) exposed to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances.
Ecotoxicology and environmental safety. 289 [DOI] 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117399. [PMID] 39616669.
2025
Neonicotinoid pesticides in African agriculture: What do we know and what should be the focus for future research?
Chemosphere. 372 [DOI] 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.144057. [PMID] 39746486.
2024
A high-throughput analytical method for complex contaminant mixtures in biosolids.
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987). 345 [DOI] 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123517. [PMID] 38346636.
2024
Advancing noise management in aviation: Strategic approaches for preventing noise-induced hearing loss.
Journal of environmental management. 363 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121413. [PMID] 38850921.
2024
Evaluation of the Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of a Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam and a Short-Chain Fluorinated Foam to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus).
Environmental toxicology and chemistry. 43(1):211-221 [DOI] 10.1002/etc.5765. [PMID] 37830486.
2024
PFAS in Nigeria: Identifying data gaps that hinder assessments of ecotoxicological and human health impacts
Heliyon. 10(9) [DOI] 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29922. [PMID] 38694092.
2023
Strategy to Minimize Plant Accumulation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Alternation between Treated Wastewater and Freshwater Irrigation
Environmental Science & Technology Letters. 10(4):302-307 [DOI] 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00058.
2022
Acute Oral Toxicity of Nonfluorinated Fire-Fighting Foams to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 41(8):2003-2007 [DOI] 10.1002/etc.5398.
2022
Influence of methylation and demethylation on plant uptake of emerging contaminants.
Environment international. 170 [DOI] 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107612. [PMID] 36347118.
2022
Species- and Tissue-Specific Chronic Toxicity Values for Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) Exposed to Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid and a Binary Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 41(1):219-229 [DOI] 10.1002/etc.5238.
2021
Chronic Reproductive Toxicity Thresholds for Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) Exposed to Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) and a Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) and PFHxA.
Environmental toxicology and chemistry. 40(9):2601-2614 [DOI] 10.1002/etc.5135. [PMID] 34102702.
2020
Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and a Simple Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 39(5):1101-1111 [DOI] 10.1002/etc.4703.
2020
Species- and Tissue-Specific Avian Chronic Toxicity Values for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and a Binary Mixture of PFOS and Perfluorohexane Sulfonate
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 40(3):899-909 [DOI] 10.1002/etc.4937.

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 273-9188
Emails:
Business:
n.dennis@ufl.edu
Addresses:
Business Street:
1225 CENTER DR
GAINESVILLE FL 32610