Gregory A. Nelson

Gregory A. Nelson, PhD, is a Professor at Loma Linda University's School of Medicine, with appointments in both the Biomed Engineering Science Division and Radiation Medicine. His work bridges biomedical engineering and space radiation biology, focusing on ionizing radiation effects on central nervous system (CNS) structures, cardiovascular function, and immune responses.

• Doctor of Philosophy (Harvard University, 1979)
• Master of Arts (Harvard University, 1977)
• Bachelor of Science (California Institute of Technology, 1974)

Dr. Nelson specializes in space radiation risks, particularly from charged particles like protons and cosmic rays. His lab investigates radiation-induced oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and DNA damage using C. elegans and rodent models. Key research areas include synaptic plasticity, microglial activation, and radiation-microgravity interactions.

Recent publications (2018-2024) reveal consistent trends in space radiation neuroscience and cardiovascular radiobiology. Studies demonstrate sex-based radioprotection mechanisms, epigenetic modifications, and multi-omics approaches to characterize radiation damage. His work on proton therapy and oxygen ion irradiation has implications for both astronaut health and cancer treatment.

Dr. Nelson has secured major grants from: NASA (1998-2025), NIH (2016-2022), and DOE (2009-2015). He leads the Responses of the Nervous System to Chronic Low-Dose Radiation project (2018-2025) and contributed to CNS NSCOR initiatives.

Professional activities include:

• Over 15 invited talks (2001-2021)
• Organizing Committee, NASA Space Radiation Workshops (2007-2011)
• Scientific leadership at Loma Linda University Proton Synchrotron