Michael Douglas Nelson

Dr. Michael Douglas Nelson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), serving as Director of the Clinical Imaging Research Center and Center for Healthy Living and Longevity. He also holds adjunct roles at UT Southwestern Medical Center (Adjunct Associate Professor, Cardiology) and UTA's Bioengineering Department, along with a Visiting Faculty Scientist position at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His research focuses on cardiovascular physiology, biomedical imaging (MRI, ultrasound, optical imaging), and mechanisms linking cardio-metabolic syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Dr. Nelson earned his PhD in Integrative/Exercise Physiology from the University of Alberta (2011), followed by postdoctoral training at Cedars-Sinai. He has secured over $20M in grants, including NIH and AHA funding, and published >125 peer-reviewed articles. His honors include the Distinguished University Scholar award (2024) and the 2018 President's Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Applied Physiology and Advanced Imaging (APAI) Lab under his direction explores human health through interdisciplinary approaches, emphasizing cardiac mechanics and neurovascular coupling.

Key research themes include myocardial steatosis, coronary microvascular dysfunction, and exercise intolerance in HFpEF. His work bridges imaging innovations (e.g., diffuse correlation spectroscopy) with clinical insights to address sex-specific cardiovascular risks. Collaborations span institutions like UTSW, Cedars-Sinai, and international teams studying aging and HIV-related cardiomyopathy.