Steve Nelson
PhD

Principal and Director of Research Programs

Dr. Steve Nelson is an internationally known, recognized, and highly published research scientist and academician. Throughout his twenty-eight year career, Dr. Nelson has made significant contributions to the field of science and teaching through his extensive research and leadership in the fields of aquaculture, ecology, marine biology, zoology, and environmental science. He has played a unique role in the development of innovative, environmentally sound and economically viable aquaculture systems in developing regions as well as promoting a greater understanding of ecological systems. He has conducted research programs at islands throughout the Pacific including Guam, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Palau, Indonesia, French Polynesia, Okinawa, and Taiwan. He also has a track record as an effective grant developer and program manager. Since 1999, following an early retirement from the University of Guam, he has successfully developed (as principal grant writer and project director) nearly a million dollars of support for a variety of research and development programs. These programs include commercialization of sustainable aquaculture programs to support island economies while preserving local culture and tradition.

Dr. Nelson has held leadership and teaching positions in academic settings. He is widely published, with nearly four dozen scientific publications to his credit. Additionally, he has contributed more than twenty five other technical reports and consulting services for a host of scientific and academic institutions including state, federal and territorial governments, organizations, international symposia and congresses.

In addition to Dr. Nelson’s consulting and volunteer work, he presently serves as a Senior Research Scientist at the Environmental Research Laboratory of the Department of Soil, Water, and Environmental Science at the University of Arizona. Prior to his current position, Dr. Nelson served a twenty-year tenure at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory where he served two terms as the Director. Dr. Nelson was also featured in articles in Continental Airlines Pacifica magazine and the Guam lifestyle magazine Latte. In 1997, Dr. Nelson was recognized by the Guam Legislature for a career of achievement. He was also honored by admission to the prestigious and exclusive Ancient Order of Chamorri as conferred together by Governor of Guam and the Speaker of the Guam Legislature.

Dr. Nelson was a founding member of The New Alchemy Institute (now the Green Center), a non-profit research and educational institute focused on the development of environmentally soft technologies. He has served as the Chairman of the Guam Sea Grant Advisory Board, as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Pacific Aquaculture Association and has served as a member on many technical and scientific advisory boards as well as of a host of university committees. He has also served as a thesis advisor and mentor for many graduate students both at the University of Guam and at the University of Arizona.

Dr. Nelson earned his PhD in Ecology from the University of California at Davis. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and a Master of Science Degree in Biology from San Diego State University. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Ecological Society of America, the World Aquaculture Society, and the Pacific Science Association.

In addition to Dr. Nelson’s professional endeavors, he is a musician who enjoys playing trumpet with the Sonora Winds of Tucson. He also plays acoustic guitar and is a member of the Desert Bluegrass Association and the Tucson Friends of Traditional Music.