Kimberly M. Nelson, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor, Boston University School of Public Health

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.

Publications

  • Published 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.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 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..

    Read at: Custom

  • Published 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.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 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.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 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.

    Read at: Custom

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Other Positions

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

Websites

Education

  • University of Washington, PhD
  • University of Washington, MS
  • University of Washington, MPH
  • Wesleyan University, BA

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