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Gena Nelson

Associate Research Professor
College of Education, Special Education
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Research Interests: Learning disabilities, evidence-based practice, research synthesis

Biography

Dr. Nelson is an Associate Research Professor at the Center on Teaching and Learning at the University of Oregon, where she conducts research focused on mathematics interventions and assessment, evidence-based practices for students with learning disabilities, and collaborating with families. Her teaching and research is informed by her experience as a high school special education teacher and MTSS state and district technical assistance facilitator.

Education

PhD, University of Minnesota (2017) - Educational Psychology
MA, University of Minnesota (2014) - Educational Psychology
BS, University of Wisconsin (2010) - Special Education

Honors and Awards

2025 University of Oregon Award for Advancing a Flourishing Research & Innovation Community Award for the NUMBER Project Team Award (associated with NSF #2300233)

2019 Recipient, International Academy for Research in Learning Disabilities, Marjorie Montague Outstanding Dissertation Award

Publications

Nelson, G., Quinn, S., Grant, S., Trevino, S., Schweer-Collins, M., Day, E., Carter, H., Boedeker, P., & Tanner-Smith, E. E. (2025). Ten tips for successful study coding in research syntheses: Developing coding manuals and coding forms. Research Synthesis Methods, 16, 709-728. https://doi.org/10.1017/rsm.2025.10019

Carter, H., & Nelson, G, Kotowski, J., Thompson Abbott, J., & Chen, H. (2025). Special education teacher candidates’ perceived knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions while delivering math interventions in a structured field experience. Teaching and Teacher Education, 162, Article 105043. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0742051X25001192

Fong., J. P. J., Sutherland, M., & Nelson, G. (2025). Engaging caregivers of students with disabilities in home math activities. Teaching Exceptional Children, 57(5), 326-336. https://doi.org/10.1177/00400599241256613

Nelson, G., Carter, H., Boedeker, P., Knowles, E., Eames, J., & Buckmiller, C. (2024). A meta-analysis and quality review of mathematics interventions conducted in informal learning environments with caregivers and children. Review of Educational Research, 94(1), 112-152. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543231156182

Nelson, G., Kiss, A. J., Codding, R. S., McKevett, N. M., Schmitt, J. F., Park, S., Romero, M. E., & Hwang, J. (2023). Review of curriculum-based measurement in mathematics: An update and extension of the literature. The Journal of School Psychology, 97, 1-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2022.12.001