Making Brain Imaging More Accessible: How Dr. Steve Nelson Supports Neuroimaging Research

As director of the Neuroimaging Hub, Steve Nelson, PhD, brings expertise in systems and cognitive neuroscience to help researchers across the University of Minnesota effectively use MRI and functional MRI technologies.

Dr. Nelson's career began with doctoral research in Dr. Steve Petersen's lab at Washington University in St. Louis, where he studied the functional areas and networks that support memory retrieval. During his postdoctoral work, he shifted his focus toward behavior, studying how retrieving information can influence learning in the future. He later directed the Neuroimaging Core at the Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans in Waco, Texas, gaining experience in both neuroimaging research and research administration.

Today, Dr. Nelson directs MIDB's Neuroimaging Hub alongside his appointment in the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Department of Pediatrics. Through the hub, he shares his expertise with researchers across the University who are exploring how neuroimaging can advance their work.

"I am driven to help others with limited experience in MRI and functional MRI think about how to best use this tool in their research," Dr. Nelson said. "My hope is to impart knowledge gained through my experience to aid researchers across the University."

A central focus of his work is understanding individual differences in brain structure and function. Rather than relying solely on group-level analyses, he has advocated for collecting enough data to understand each individual's unique brain characteristics before making broader comparisons. This individual-centered approach can provide a more nuanced understanding of how the brain functions and has applications across a wide range of research.

Dr. Nelson is particularly excited about the potential for these approaches to inform clinical care for people with psychiatric disorders. Researchers are increasingly exploring how differences in brain systems may help inform treatment for conditions including depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder in adolescents and adults.

For him, the transition from studying brain function in healthy participants to applying neuroimaging approaches in clinical settings is especially gratifying. 

“Neuroimaging techniques are still relatively young, and their continued development is opening new possibilities for understanding the brain and improving care,” Dr. Nelson said.

Interested in working with Dr. Nelson and the Neuroimaging Hub? Submit a process for engagement request form to connect with the team and explore how the hub can support your research.