Nicole Jacobs
Graduate (Ph.D.) Student
Email: nrjacobs@alaska.edu
Time with ACEP
2023-2024
2025-present
Expertise
- Energy Access and Justice
- Environmental Security
- Homeland Security
- National Critical Infrastructure
- Nuclear
- Policy and Global Applications
BIO
Nicole Jacobs is a Ph.D. student in natural resources and sustainability at UAF, where her research explores security constellations. It is an approach used to understand how various security logic and priorities overlap, converge or conflict across sectors, actors and levels with a case study focusing on advanced nuclear reactor technologies. At ACEP, she works with Gwen Holdmann on the human dimensions of advanced nuclear reactor technologies in Alaska.
Previously, she worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the Global Security Directorate, where her work centered on national critical infrastructure, ransomware, and framework and ontology development. Before LLNL, she focused on Arctic strategy and international relations while with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Arctic Energy Office. In addition, she spent several years working in healthcare for the state of Alaska, primarily in dementia and end-of-life care.
She holds a master’s degree in security and disaster management, focusing on climate security and a bachelor’s degree in homeland security and emergency management, both from UAF.
Outside of her professional and academic work, she enjoys metalsmithing and jewelry making as a member of the Alaska Metal Arts Guild, gaming, fishing and reading. She is also an advocate for neurodiversity and invisible disabilities, especially dysautonomia.