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April Nelsen

April Nelsen

Title

Clinical Assistant Professor

Office Building

Avera Health and Science Center

Office

338

Mailing Address

Avera Health and Science 338
Allied and Population Health-Box 2202C
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007

Biography

Clinical coordinator and clinical assistant professor of medical laboratory sciences
Dr. Nelsen has been an ASCP Certified medical laboratory scientist for over 10 years and completed her M.S. in microbiology from South Dakota State University in 2015, followed by her Ph.D. in molecular biology from South Dakota State University in 2022 while remaining in her faculty position. She worked as a medical laboratory professional in a hospital setting before moving into education. Dr. Nelsen has taught or is presently teaching courses in Immunology, Clinical Chemistry, Advanced Medical Diagnostics, Advanced Clinical Experience, Management and Education and First Year Seminar. She is also the clinical coordinator for the medical laboratory science program. In 2023, Dr. Nelsen became a certified molecular biologist (MB) through ASCP.

Education

  • Ph.D. in biological sciences | South Dakota State University | 2022
  • M.S. in microbiology | South Dakota State University | 2015
  • B.S. in infectious disease microbiology and clinical laboratory science | South Dakota State University | 2009

Academic Interests

  • Clinical microbiology
  • Molecular diagnostics

Academic Responsibilities

  • Clinical coordinator for medical laboratory science students
  • MLS 403: Diagnostic Immunology
  • MLS 471: Advanced Medical Diagnostics
  • MLS 472: Advanced Clinical Experience I
  • MLS 473: Advanced Clinical Diagnostics II
  • MLS 483: Senior Capstone Clinical Practicum

Committees and Professional Memberships

Committee Activities

  • MLS Admissions chair
  • MLS Conduct Committee
  • Department of APH Standard Document chair
  • ASCLS-SD president

Professional Memberships

  • ASCLS-SD

Awards and Honors

  • Oral Presentation Award at ASCLS National Meeting (2023) for Identification of a Novel Bovine Astrovirus Associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease
  • Omicron Sigma Award for ASCLS-SD and ASCLS Region V (2015-2023)
  • Keys to the Future Award (2023)
  • Voices Under 40 Award (2023)
  • Student Association Teacher of the Year Nomination (2022)

Work Experience

  • 2023-present clinical assistant professor and clinical coordinator, Medical Laboratory Science, South Dakota State University
  • 2015-2023 instructor, Medical Laboratory Science, South Dakota State University
  • 2012-2015 research assistant/ teaching assistant, Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University
  • 2009-2012 medical laboratory scientist, Microbiology and Generalist, Sanford Sioux Falls

Publications

Department(s)