Matthew D Nelson

Matthew D. Nelson is a Professor of Biology at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, where he also serves as the John J. Meehan, M.D., Pathways to Medical Professions Director and Health Professions Advising Committee Co-Director. His research program in the Department of Biology within the College of Arts and Sciences focuses on understanding the fundamental biological processes of sleep using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.

Dr. Nelson's educational background includes a BS in Mathematics from Pennsylvania State University (2000), an MS in Biology from Villanova University (2005), and a PhD in Biology from New York University (2010). He completed postdoctoral training in the Lab of Dr. David M. Raizen at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (2011-2014).

His research investigates the genetic and neural circuit mechanisms underlying sleep behavior, with particular focus on neuropeptide signaling pathways that regulate stress-induced sleep in C. elegans. Dr. Nelson's lab employs techniques from genetics, molecular biology, neurobiology, and behavior to identify sleep-regulating neurons and characterize how they communicate as neural circuits. His work has revealed important insights into conserved sleep mechanisms across species.

Analysis of his recent publications shows a consistent focus on sleep neurogenetics, with particular emphasis on neuropeptide receptors like npr-38 and signaling pathways involving cAMP. His research spans molecular mechanisms, neural circuit function, and behavioral outputs, demonstrating an integrated approach to understanding sleep regulation at multiple biological levels.

• NSF CAREER Award #1845020: Neuropeptidergic and cAMP-mediated regulation of stress-induced sleep in C. elegans
• NSF MRI Award #1919847: Acquisition of an automated fluorescent microscope and imaging system for undergraduate research
• NIGMS R15 Award 1R15GM122058-01: Dissecting the cAMP-mediated circuitry of stress-induced sleep in C. elegans

Dr. Nelson actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom have presented at conferences and gone on to medical schools and research positions. His lab also engages in science outreach with the Samuel Gompers school, teaching 5th and 6th grade students about basic science research using C. elegans. His educational contributions include developing classroom models for nephron function and urinalysis experiments.