Post-doctoral Researcher
patrick.nichols@oulu.fi
My research advances applied conservation through an exploration of ecosystem biodiversity. Using cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques, I address key questions to better understand the structure, function, and trajectories of habitats impacted by human disturbances.
Keywords
Current Projects
Grants & Fundings (coming soon)
About me
Patrick received his Ph.D. from the Zoology Graduate Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His research focuses on developing environmental DNA (eDNA) detection techniques for bio-surveillance and applied conservation. Over the past decade, he has worked to advance molecular testing methods that improve how researchers and conservationists track ecological changes and address emerging threats to fragile ecosystems. His work emphasizes validating eDNA-based approaches while assessing the risks and uncertainties associated with molecular detection tools. Passionate about applying cutting-edge science to real-world conservation, he collaborates with local non-profits and stakeholders to integrate molecular data into existing management strategies.
Publications
2025
Peer-reviewed Publication: Nichols, P., & Marko, P. (2025). No pump, no problem: evaluating passive eDNA sampling for marine biomonitoring of a nuisance macroalga. PeerJ, 13:e19939. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19939Peer-reviewed Publication: Nichols, P., Vimond, C., & Marko, P. (2025). Simple passive environmental DNA samplers for marine biomonitoring in resource-limited programs. Current Protocols, 5, e70186. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cpz1.70186Peer-reviewed Publication: Fumo, J., Nichols, P., Ely, T., Marko, P., Moran, A., Powell, B., Williams, T., Kosaki, R., Smith, C., Lopes, K. Jr., Smith, J., Spalding, H., Krueger-Hadfield, S., McDermid, K., Hauk, B., Morioka, J., O'Brien, K., Kennedy, B., Leliaert, F., Fujii, M., Nelson, W., Draisma, S., & Sherwood, A. (2025). A predictive framework for identifying source populations of non-native marine macroalgae: Chondria tumulosa in the Pacific Ocean. PeerJ, 13:e19610. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19610Peer-reviewed Publication: Nichols, P., Fraiola, K., Sherwood, A., Hauk, B., Lopes, K. Jr., Davis, C., Fumo, J., Counsell, C., Williams, T., Spalding, H., & Marko, P. (2025). Navigating uncertainty in environmental DNA detection of a nuisance marine macroalga. PLoS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0318414Peer-reviewed Publication: Nichols, P., Sherwood, A., Fraiola, K., Hauk, B., Counsell, C., Ely, T., & Marko, P. Detecting a non-indigenous marine macroalga (Acanthophora spicifera) with environmental DNA from surface seawater. Aquaculture, Fish, and Fisheries 5, no. 6: e70135. https://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.701352022
Peer-reviewed Publication: Nichols, P., Timmers, M., & Marko, P. (2022). Hide ‘n seq: Direct versus indirect metabarcoding of coral reef cryptic communities. Environmental DNA, 4: 93-107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/edn3.2032019
Peer-reviewed Publication: Nichols, P., & Marko, P. (2019). Rapid assessment of coral cover from environmental DNA in Hawai’i. Environmental DNA, 00:1-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.82015
Peer-reviewed Publication: Jud, Z., Nichols, P., & Layman, C. (2015). Broad salinity tolerance in the invasive lionfish Pterois spp. may facilitate estuarine colonization. Environmental Biology of Fishes 98 (1), 135-143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-014-0242-y2014
Peer-reviewed Publication: Layman, C., Jud, Z., & Nichols, P. (2014) Lionfish alter benthic invertebrate assemblages in patch habitats of a subtropical estuary. Marine Biology 161 (9), 2179-2182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-014-2491-xOutreach
Online and Print Media (Coming soon)
