Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Nicole D Hernandez

Nicole is a biologist at the Fort Collins Science Center focused on Chronic Wasting Disease.

Nicole currently serves as the Assistant Coordinator for Cervid Health, where she supports national initiatives related to Chronic Wasting Disease. She earned her master’s degree in Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida, and has conducted research in the southeastern US, Central America, and the Rocky Mountain region. Nicole joined the Fort Collins Science Center in 2022, initially focusing on outreach and science communication for a national project aimed at early detection and rapid response to invasive species. Her previous experiences encompass extensive involvement in long-term ecological monitoring projects and population health studies across different taxa, including frogs, small mammals, cervids, and crocodilians. Nicole's professional interests are rooted in conservation biology, ecosystem restoration, disease research, and addressing human-wildlife conflicts.

Professional Experience

  • 2022 – Present: Biologist, USGS Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO

  • 2018 – 2022: Wildlife Biologist, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL

  • 2017: Student Contractor, USGS National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette, LA

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Forest Resources and Conservation with a concentration in Geomatics, University of Florida, 2022

  • Graduate Certificate, Geospatial Analysis, University of Florida, 2022

  • B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 2017

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) Member

Science and Products

Understanding gaps in early detection of and rapid response to invasive species in the United States: A literature review and bibliometric analysis Understanding gaps in early detection of and rapid response to invasive species in the United States: A literature review and bibliometric analysis

While concepts regarding invasive species establishment patterns and eradication possibilities have long been a topic of invasion biology, the specific terminology referring to early detection of and rapid response to (EDRR) invasive species emerged in scientific literature during the early 2000s. Since then, the EDRR approach has expanded to include a suite of detection, planning, and...
Authors
Amy Kristine Wray, Aimee Christine Agnew, Mary Brown, Emily Marie Dean, Nicole D Hernandez, Audrey Jordon, Cayla Morningstar, Sara Elizabeth Piccolomini, Harrison Alexander Pickett, Wesley Daniel, Brian Reichert
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

America's most wanted fishes: Cataloging risk assessments to prioritize invasive species for management action America's most wanted fishes: Cataloging risk assessments to prioritize invasive species for management action

Hundreds of fish species enter the United States through human intervention (e.g., importation) and some of these fishes pose a substantial risk to the nation’s assets and ecosystems. Prevention, early detection, and rapid response (EDRR) are vital to stop species invasions, but time and resources to manage the large suite of fish species that enter the nation are limited. Evaluating the...
Authors
Emily M. Dean, Audrey Jordon, Aimee Christine Agnew, Nicole D Hernandez, Cayla R. Morningstar, Matthew Neilson, Sara Elizabeth Piccolomini, Brian Reichert, Amy Kristine Wray, Wesley M. Daniel
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Establishment of the exotic invasive Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Louisiana Establishment of the exotic invasive Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Louisiana

The Cuban treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, is native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands, and is invasive in areas where it has been introduced and established in the Caribbean as well as Florida. Despite repeated occurrences in several states over many years, it was not believed that Cuban treefrogs had successfully established outside of Florida in the mainland United...
Authors
Brad M. Glorioso, J. Hardin Waddle, Lindy J. Muse, Nicole D. Jennings, Melanie Litton, Joel Hamilton, Steven Gergen, David Heckard
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Conceptual network diagram for Siren

Siren: The National Early Detection and Rapid Response Information System

Siren: the National Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Information System is an online resource for invasive species information sharing and collaboration that serves as the information hub of the National EDRR Framework.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
Siren: The National Early Detection and Rapid Response Information System

Siren: The National Early Detection and Rapid Response Information System

Siren: the National Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Information System is an online resource for invasive species information sharing and collaboration that serves as the information hub of the National EDRR Framework.
Learn More

FORT scientists present research at the 31st Conference of the North American Invasive Species Management Association in Lincoln, Nebraska

From October 16-19, 2023, FORT scientists will present their research on invasive species management in North America through conference talks...

Read Article

Science and Products

Understanding gaps in early detection of and rapid response to invasive species in the United States: A literature review and bibliometric analysis Understanding gaps in early detection of and rapid response to invasive species in the United States: A literature review and bibliometric analysis

While concepts regarding invasive species establishment patterns and eradication possibilities have long been a topic of invasion biology, the specific terminology referring to early detection of and rapid response to (EDRR) invasive species emerged in scientific literature during the early 2000s. Since then, the EDRR approach has expanded to include a suite of detection, planning, and...
Authors
Amy Kristine Wray, Aimee Christine Agnew, Mary Brown, Emily Marie Dean, Nicole D Hernandez, Audrey Jordon, Cayla Morningstar, Sara Elizabeth Piccolomini, Harrison Alexander Pickett, Wesley Daniel, Brian Reichert
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

America's most wanted fishes: Cataloging risk assessments to prioritize invasive species for management action America's most wanted fishes: Cataloging risk assessments to prioritize invasive species for management action

Hundreds of fish species enter the United States through human intervention (e.g., importation) and some of these fishes pose a substantial risk to the nation’s assets and ecosystems. Prevention, early detection, and rapid response (EDRR) are vital to stop species invasions, but time and resources to manage the large suite of fish species that enter the nation are limited. Evaluating the...
Authors
Emily M. Dean, Audrey Jordon, Aimee Christine Agnew, Nicole D Hernandez, Cayla R. Morningstar, Matthew Neilson, Sara Elizabeth Piccolomini, Brian Reichert, Amy Kristine Wray, Wesley M. Daniel
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Establishment of the exotic invasive Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Louisiana Establishment of the exotic invasive Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Louisiana

The Cuban treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, is native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands, and is invasive in areas where it has been introduced and established in the Caribbean as well as Florida. Despite repeated occurrences in several states over many years, it was not believed that Cuban treefrogs had successfully established outside of Florida in the mainland United...
Authors
Brad M. Glorioso, J. Hardin Waddle, Lindy J. Muse, Nicole D. Jennings, Melanie Litton, Joel Hamilton, Steven Gergen, David Heckard
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Conceptual network diagram for Siren

Siren: The National Early Detection and Rapid Response Information System

Siren: the National Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Information System is an online resource for invasive species information sharing and collaboration that serves as the information hub of the National EDRR Framework.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
Siren: The National Early Detection and Rapid Response Information System

Siren: The National Early Detection and Rapid Response Information System

Siren: the National Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Information System is an online resource for invasive species information sharing and collaboration that serves as the information hub of the National EDRR Framework.
Learn More

FORT scientists present research at the 31st Conference of the North American Invasive Species Management Association in Lincoln, Nebraska

From October 16-19, 2023, FORT scientists will present their research on invasive species management in North America through conference talks...

Read Article

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government

Was this page helpful?