Christina Nelson, ND, MA, LMT, RYT
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Dr. Christina Nelson, ND (ip) is a Yoga Alliance-registered instructor, intuitive bodyworker, & holistic wellness consultant with an extensive background in environmental ethics, medical anthropology, & global health research. She has worked collaboratively to reduce tropical disease mortality through outreach programs in underserved rural and urban settings throughout the U.S., India, Mexico, Central, and South America. Recently graduated the full-time program at the Maui School of Therapeutic Massage, she now offers workshops on balancing nutrition, wellness restoration, stress reduction, cleansing, aromatherapy, Nature Cure, compassionate self-care, travel illness prevention, and "Food as Medicine."
While studying Naturopathy for five years at the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, Doctor Christina also learned classical Chinese medicine systems of healing, including the 5 Elements, QiGong, DaoYin, and a four-year Shiatsu massage apprenticeship. Following internships at Yale's Interdisciplinary Bioethics Center and theTropical Medicine Institute at Johns Hopkins' School of Public Health, she graciously served numerous community clinics, medical spas, and event medicine teams.
In addition to teaching at the collegiate level, Christina is passionate about forging relationships that heal the planet, indigenous shamanism, ethnobotany, wild foraging, and conscientious body/mind/spirit awakening. When not in clinic or class, this Naturopathic Yogini is most likely to be found forest hiking, bicycling, playing Acro or Ultimate, moonlight camping, Pranayama breathing, freestyle dancing, or swimming. She started teaching at AOMA in 2016 and currently teaches Medical Biology, Biochemistry, & Principles of Nutrition.
- Professional Memberships
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Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity Lifetime Member
Texas Association of Naturopathic Doctors
American Massage Therapy Association Delegate
Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher
American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene
Natural Doctors International
- Licenses and Certifications
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First Aid and Advanced CPR Certification, American Red Cross
Diploma Course in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Traveler’s Health, The American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH)
HIPAA Compliance Training, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
Human Subjects Research Training and Certification, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
CRISP- Database of Biomedical Research Navigational Training, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Electronic Procurement (ePro) Coordinator Training, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (UNTHSC)
Human Resource Management 6 Training, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (UNTHSC)
Ruff Mini Medical School, UT Southwestern Medical School
Basic Open Water Scuba Diving Certification, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) & Island Adventures
- Publications
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1. “TrkB Has a Cell-Autonomous Role in the Establishment of Hippocampal Schaffer Collateral Synapses”. The Journal of Neuroscience, 25(15):3774 –3786. 2005. Center for Basic Neuroscience Research on Nerve Growth and Regeneration, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- Presentations
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1. “Food as Medicine, The Ancient Art of Healing”. 3rd Annual Hawai'i Sustainability in Higher Education Summit. 2015
This presentation aims to integrate holistic preventative nutrition with responsible practices. To reduce chronic disease mortality in both rural and urban settings, it is imperative to maximize edible nutrients, prevent ecological deterioration, and engage in close-to-home community collaboration. Although the concept that local foods and herbs have medicinal value predates our modern civilization, we are being called to find innovative ways to cultivate communal gardening and practice integrative healing by returning to the root of nourishment, restoring balance, and remembering respect for the Earth's natural resources.
2. “Ecofeminism vs. Deep Ecology”. Uehiro Crosscurrents Philosophy Conference. 2007. University of Hawai'i at Manoa: Comparative Philosophy from Today and Tomorrow
3. “Water, Mosquitoes, and Community Education”. 15th Ecuador Tropical Disease Biology Workshop. 2007. Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Tropical Disease Institute
4. “Ecofeminism and Deep Ecology”. Dialogue Volume 51. 2006. Phi Sigma Tau International Society for Philosophy
5. “Bioethics at Yale- Volume 7: 2005-2006”. Yale University Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics. 2006