Nicole Beaulieu Perez

Nicole Beaulieu Perez is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, where she conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of mental health, chronic illness, and health disparities. Her work is centered on advancing precision mental health care for women, particularly those living with HIV or type 2 diabetes.

Education:

• PhD in Nursing Research and Theory Development, New York University
• MSN in Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing, University of Florida
• BSN in Professional Nursing, University of Florida

Her research focuses on identifying biological and social underpinnings of depression, using omics technologies (epigenetics, gut microbiome) and advanced statistical methods to parse heterogeneous depression phenotypes. She investigates how poverty, discrimination, and inflammation contribute to mental and metabolic health disparities in predominantly low-income, Black and Hispanic women.

The trends in her recent publications reflect a consistent focus on depression in the context of chronic illness, using cohort data from studies like the Women’s Interagency HIV Study and InterGEN. Her work leverages latent variable modeling, epigenetic aging, and microbiome analysis to uncover biomarkers and social determinants that shape mental health outcomes. These studies collectively aim to improve early detection and personalize treatment strategies.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Distinguished PhD Student Award, NYU Meyers (2021)
• Ellen D. Baer Scholarship, NYU Meyers (2020)
• Alumnae Association Scholarship, Mount Sinai Hospital (2020)
• Board of Directors Scholarship, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2020)
• Pauline Greenridge Scholarship, NYU Meyers (2019)
• Fred Schmidt Scholarship, NYU Meyers (2019)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Scholar, Barbara Jonas Foundation (2017)
• Rose Rivers’ Leadership Fellow, University of Florida Health (2012)
• Excellence in Research Award, University of Florida (2011)
• Sigma Theta Tau International Inductee (2010)

Nicole Beaulieu Perez has served as Principal Investigator on multiple funded research projects, including the NIH-funded ReDiMMH Study (K08) and a pilot award from the NYU P20 Center. Her clinical background as a psychiatric nurse practitioner across inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth settings deeply informs her research and mentoring. She is actively involved in mentoring future nurse scientists and promoting equity in mental health care.

She is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Nursing, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Eastern Nursing Research Society, and Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society, reflecting her broad impact across nursing, mental health, and translational science.