Dr. Nelson is a geochemist with expertise in basalt chemical weathering, aqueous geochemistry, and secondary mineral formation. Her current interests include geologic carbon storage, specifically in-situ mineralization in mafic rock formations, as well as coastal and terrestrial enhanced weathering.

Currently, Dr. Nelson holds a position as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory where she uses reactive transport modeling to optimize large-scale injections of CO2 into basaltic reservoirs.