Heather H Nelson

Dr. Heather H Nelson is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health, where she serves as Associate Director of Cancer Prevention and Control. She is also affiliated with the Minnesota Population Center. Her research focuses on cancer epidemiology, cytomegalovirus, and environmental epidemiology, with significant contributions to understanding cancer screening, prevention, etiology, and survivorship.

Dr. Nelson holds a PhD and MPH, which provide the foundation for her interdisciplinary research approach combining epidemiological methods with public health practice. Her educational background has equipped her to lead major research initiatives in cancer prevention and control.

Her research interests span several critical areas in cancer epidemiology, with particular focus on the relationships between viral infections (especially cytomegalovirus), environmental factors, and cancer development and outcomes. She investigates how biological aging measures relate to cancer risk and survivorship, and examines the genetic and epigenetic factors that influence cancer susceptibility. Her work often involves large population-based studies and cohort analyses to identify risk factors and potential intervention points for cancer prevention.

Dr. Nelson's recent publications demonstrate trends across cancer epidemiology, virology, and aging research. Her work connects viral infections like cytomegalovirus with cancer outcomes, explores the relationship between biological aging and cancer risk, and investigates genetic factors in colorectal cancer development. These studies employ advanced methodologies including digital PCR for viral detection and population-based cohort analyses.

Dr. Nelson has received significant research funding from the NIH National Cancer Institute, with 25 documented projects and grants. Her research output is substantial, with 204 publications spanning from 1995 to the present, demonstrating consistent productivity throughout her career. She has contributed to important datasets including the "Perceptions of COVID-19 and Health Survey in the United States," which has been widely accessed by researchers.

She actively collaborates with numerous researchers across institutions as evidenced by her participation in large team projects like the Cancer Center Support Grant where she serves as a Co-Investigator. Her work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being, particularly in cancer prevention and control.