Kimberly Nelson
Profiles

Kimberly M Nelson, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor, Community Health Sciences - Boston University School of Public Health

(617) 358-1482
knel@bu.edu
Crosstown Center
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Biography

Kimberly M. Nelson, PhD, MPH earned her MPH in epidemiology from the University of Washington (UW) and a PhD in clinical psychology also from UW. She is also faculty of the Fordham University Research Ethics Training Institute. Having both a public health and psychology background, Dr. Nelson's research focuses on understanding and intervening on psychological and structural determinants of health inequities with a particular focus on sexual health inequities among marginalized adolescents and adults. Additionally her work focuses on the ethical and legal issues involved in sexual health research and interventions with adolescents and ways to use technology effectively and ethically for data collection and health promotion interventions.

Other Positions

  • Associate Professor, Psychiatry - Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
  • Member, Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research - Boston University

Education

  • University of Washington, PhD Field of Study: Clinical/Counseling Psychology
  • University of Washington, MS Field of Study: Clinical/Counseling Psychology
  • University of Washington, MPH Field of Study: Epidemiology
  • Wesleyan University, BA Field of Study: Psychology

Websites

Classes Taught

  • SPHSB821

Publications

  • Published on 10/18/2025

    Cheng, M., Levinson, E., Pierre, J., Reddy, D., Sattler, K., Siva, O., Wu, J., & Nelson, K.M. . Youth Voices are Needed Now More than Ever to Improve Adolescent Sexual Health Research: Lessons from Five Years with a Youth Advisory Board. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. 2025.

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  • Published on 10/7/2025

    Knopf A, Macapagal K, Nelson KM. Ethical Implications of Study Terminations. Pediatrics. 2025 Oct 07. PMID: 41052787.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 9/12/2025

    Gray A, Sinclair S, Trepka MJ, Nelson KM. Exploring State- and Individual-Level Characteristics Associated with Perceived Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Among Young Adult Black Women. J Sex Res. 2025 Sep 12; 1-14. PMID: 40937824.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 8/21/2025

    Nelson KM, Gray A, Haiken S, Underhill K. The State of Sexual Education: State Laws and Regulations Mandating Sexual Education in the United States. Am J Public Health. 2025 Oct; 115(10):1723-1733. PMID: 40839855.

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  • Published on 6/13/2025

    Mazon C, Badillo C, Polanco Walters F, Hughto JMW, Nelson KM, Gordon AR. Experiences of Gender and Racial/Ethnic Discrimination in Sexual Healthcare Among Transgender and Nonbinary Young Adults of Color. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2025 Jun; 57(2):231-240. PMID: 40514048.

     Read At: PubMed
  • Published on 4/20/2025

    Nelson KM, Campbell JK, Dunsinger S, Frieson TM, Saber R, Macapagal K, Rothman EF. The Healthy Relationships Program: A pilot study of a healthy relationships, HIV/STI prevention, and pornography education program for high schoolers. Am J Sex Educ. 2025 Apr 20. PMID: 40963951.

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  • Published on 4/20/2025

    Nelson, K. M., Campbell, J. K., Dunsinger, S., Frieson, T. M., Saber, R., Macapagal, K., & Rothman, E. F. The Healthy Relationships Program: A Pilot Study of a Healthy Relationships, HIV/STI Prevention, and Pornography Education Program for High Schoolers. American Journal of Sexuality Education. 2025; Epub ahead of print..

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  • Published on 2/16/2025

    Mehta N, Noh M, Agénor M, Murchison GR, Hughto JMW, Nelson KM, Gordon AR. Experiences of gender-affirming practices in healthcare settings and HIV testing among transgender and nonbinary young adults in the United States. AIDS Care. 2025 Jun; 37(6):892-900. PMID: 39955619.

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  • Published on 2/1/2025

    Underhill K, Nelson KM. Pulling Out the Rug on Informed Consent - New Legal Threats to Clinicians and Patients. N Engl J Med. 2025 Feb 06; 392(6):523-525. PMID: 39899893.

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  • Published on 1/1/2025

    Maas, M.K., Wright, P.J., Rothman, E.F., Nelson, K.M., Weigle, P., & Herbenick, D. In: Christakis DA, Hale L, eds. Children and Screens: A Handbook on Digital Media and the Development, Health, and Well-being of Children and Adolescents. Pornography Use During Adolescence: The Current State of Knowledge and Recommendations. Springer. New York, NY. 2025.

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