Nicole Prause

Nicole Prause, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist specializing in human sexual behavior, addiction, and the physiology of sexual response. She is also the founder of Liberos LLC, an independent research institute.

Having completed her doctoral studies in 2007 at Indiana University Bloomington under the joint supervision of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Prause began her academic journey as a faculty member at Idaho State University. Subsequently, she transitioned to the role of Research Scientist at the Mind Research Network, a neuroimaging facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2012, Prause was elected as a full member of the International Academy of Sex Research and assumed a Research Scientist position at the University of California, Los Angeles, within the David Geffen School of Medicine. Her significant contributions led to her promotion to Associate Research Scientist in 2014.

Concerns regarding institutional attitudes toward sex research and ongoing safety threats from anti-porn organizations motivated Prause to establish Liberos LLC in 2015. This private research institute and biotechnology company operates exclusively through grants received from both federal government and private sources. Additionally, Prause is licensed as a psychologist in the state of California.