Dr. Nelson has 15 years of experience in the field of Social Work as a direct-practice clinician and researcher. She has engaged in community-based participatory research with underserved minority populations across the globe, with extensive experience centered on rural and minority populations across the Pacific Basin and Alabama. Her research interests include social etiology of health disparities, including barriers and access to care. She has considerable experience in designing and implementing culturally competent research methodology and community outreach that is inclusive of the needs, wants, and unique cultural factors of diverse, intersectional populations.