Nelson is a self-described tinkerer, someone who often takes items apart just to see how they work and tries to find ways to improve whatever gadget he has opened up in front of him. When not working to improve the student experience in the labs, he can often be found in his home workshop working on hobby projects, his 3D printers, and other equipment. Nelson is originally from northeastern Minnesota; he moved to Fort Collins in 2019 where he lives with his wife, two dogs, and several lizards.