Dr. Nelson received special training in bone pathology at The Mayo Clinic and in soft tumor pathology at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong. In addition to his role at Geffen-UCLA, Dr. Nelson currently serves as the Director of Pathology at UCLA-Santa Monica Hospital.

The Department of Pathology handles one of the largest caseloads of mesenchymal tumors (bone and soft tissue) in the country—between 600 and 800 cases annually. Dr. Nelson also receives a large number of neoplastic and non-neoplastic bone and soft tissue consultations.

Dr. Nelson is involved in organizations which deal with musculoskeletal tumors and is an active participant in the Connective Tissue Oncology Society. His expertise includes both the clinical and radiographic aspects of musculoskeletal tumors; he is frequently invited to lecture on these subjects in the U.S. and abroad.