World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
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Best Female Scientists
2025

D-Index & Metrics

Best Female Scientists

D-Index
116
Citations
101757
World Ranking
656
National Ranking
397

Biology and Biochemistry

D-Index
123
Citations
108988
World Ranking
540
National Ranking
341

Karen E. Nelson publication distribution in Biology and Biochemistry in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Biology and Biochemistry in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Karen E. Nelson sits on this spectrum.

47–56 publications: 8 scientists 57–66 publications: 35 scientists 67–76 publications: 106 scientists 77–86 publications: 231 scientists 87–96 publications: 414 scientists 97–106 publications: 546 scientists 107–116 publications: 704 scientists 117–126 publications: 849 scientists 127–136 publications: 980 scientists 137–146 publications: 942 scientists 147–156 publications: 969 scientists 157–166 publications: 950 scientists 167–176 publications: 951 scientists 177–186 publications: 915 scientists 187–196 publications: 787 scientists 197–206 publications: 841 scientists 207–216 publications: 735 scientists 217–226 publications: 709 scientists 227–236 publications: 651 scientists 237–246 publications: 605 scientists 247–256 publications: 510 scientists 257–266 publications: 524 scientists 267–276 publications: 434 scientists 277–286 publications: 418 scientists 287–296 publications: 350 scientists 297–306 publications: 363 scientists 307–316 publications: 315 scientists 317–326 publications: 296 scientists 327–336 publications: 261 scientists 337–346 publications: 240 scientists 347–356 publications: 219 scientists 357–366 publications: 197 scientists 367–376 publications: 154 scientists 377–386 publications: 161 scientists 387–396 publications: 155 scientists 397–406 publications: 145 scientists 407–416 publications: 124 scientists 417–426 publications: 112 scientists 427–436 publications: 132 scientists 437–446 publications: 116 scientists 447–456 publications: 99 scientists 457–466 publications: 81 scientists 467–476 publications: 91 scientists 477–486 publications: 80 scientists 487–496 publications: 80 scientists 497–506 publications: 60 scientists 507–516 publications: 36 scientists 517–526 publications: 46 scientists 527–536 publications: 54 scientists 537–546 publications: 44 scientists 547–556 publications: 43 scientists 557–566 publications: 43 scientists 567–576 publications: 42 scientists 577–586 publications: 25 scientists 587–596 publications: 34 scientists 597–606 publications: 23 scientists 607–616 publications: 33 scientists 617–626 publications: 31 scientists 627–636 publications: 27 scientists 637–646 publications: 25 scientists 647–656 publications: 28 scientists 657–666 publications: 34 scientists 667–676 publications: 18 scientists 677–686 publications: 16 scientists 687–696 publications: 10 scientists 697–706 publications: 12 scientists 707–716 publications: 21 scientists 717–726 publications: 12 scientists 727–736 publications: 12 scientists 737–746 publications: 10 scientists 747–756 publications: 7 scientists 757–766 publications: 13 scientists 767–776 publications: 15 scientists 777–786 publications: 13 scientists 787–796 publications: 9 scientists 797–806 publications: 9 scientists 807–816 publications: 7 scientists 817–826 publications: 4 scientists 827–836 publications: 9 scientists 837–846 publications: 7 scientists 847–856 publications: 3 scientists 857–866 publications: 5 scientists 867–876 publications: 5 scientists 877–886 publications: 11 scientists 887–896 publications: 3 scientists 897–906 publications: 4 scientists 907–916 publications: 7 scientists 917–926 publications: 5 scientists 927–936 publications: 6 scientists 937–946 publications: 6 scientists 947–956 publications: 3 scientists 957–966 publications: 7 scientists 967–976 publications: 2 scientists 977–986 publications: 2 scientists 987–996 publications: 1 scientists 997–1,006 publications: 5 scientists 1,007–1,016 publications: 2 scientists 1,017–1,026 publications: 2 scientists 1,027 publications: 1 scientists 1,028+ publications: 100 scientists
47 publications 1,028+

This scientist: 315 publications — 81st percentile

81% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 1,028 publications or more.

Karen E. Nelson D-index placement in Biology and Biochemistry in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Biology and Biochemistry scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Karen E. Nelson sits on this spectrum.

40–41 D-Index: 80 scientists 42–43 D-Index: 183 scientists 44–45 D-Index: 317 scientists 46–47 D-Index: 504 scientists 48–49 D-Index: 718 scientists 50–51 D-Index: 900 scientists 52–53 D-Index: 1,026 scientists 54–55 D-Index: 1,150 scientists 56–57 D-Index: 1,236 scientists 58–59 D-Index: 1,253 scientists 60–61 D-Index: 1,163 scientists 62–63 D-Index: 1,131 scientists 64–65 D-Index: 1,032 scientists 66–67 D-Index: 897 scientists 68–69 D-Index: 814 scientists 70–71 D-Index: 715 scientists 72–73 D-Index: 709 scientists 74–75 D-Index: 596 scientists 76–77 D-Index: 512 scientists 78–79 D-Index: 473 scientists 80–81 D-Index: 412 scientists 82–83 D-Index: 373 scientists 84–85 D-Index: 358 scientists 86–87 D-Index: 285 scientists 88–89 D-Index: 273 scientists 90–91 D-Index: 227 scientists 92–93 D-Index: 208 scientists 94–95 D-Index: 193 scientists 96–97 D-Index: 153 scientists 98–99 D-Index: 157 scientists 100–101 D-Index: 148 scientists 102–103 D-Index: 120 scientists 104–105 D-Index: 113 scientists 106–107 D-Index: 100 scientists 108–109 D-Index: 86 scientists 110–111 D-Index: 67 scientists 112–113 D-Index: 72 scientists 114–115 D-Index: 73 scientists 116–117 D-Index: 64 scientists 118–119 D-Index: 53 scientists 120–121 D-Index: 60 scientists 122–123 D-Index: 54 scientists 124–125 D-Index: 43 scientists 126–127 D-Index: 38 scientists 128–129 D-Index: 49 scientists 130–131 D-Index: 26 scientists 132–133 D-Index: 18 scientists 134–135 D-Index: 23 scientists 136–137 D-Index: 32 scientists 138–139 D-Index: 32 scientists 140–141 D-Index: 27 scientists 142–143 D-Index: 19 scientists 144–145 D-Index: 22 scientists 146–147 D-Index: 12 scientists 148–149 D-Index: 16 scientists 150–151 D-Index: 14 scientists 152–153 D-Index: 10 scientists 154–155 D-Index: 13 scientists 156–157 D-Index: 10 scientists 158–159 D-Index: 7 scientists 160–161 D-Index: 9 scientists 162–163 D-Index: 13 scientists 164–165 D-Index: 4 scientists 166 D-Index: 4 scientists 167+ D-Index: 98 scientists
40 D-Index 167+

This scientist: 123 D-Index — 97th percentile

97% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 167 D-Index or more.

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2025 - Research.com Best Female Scientists Award

Overview

What is she best known for?

The fields of study she is best known for:

  • Bacteria
  • Gene
  • Genome

Her primary scientific interests are in Genome, Genetics, Gene, Whole genome sequencing and Microbiology. Her research integrates issues of Metagenomics, Plasmid, Microbiome and Virulence in her study of Genome. Her Genetics study frequently draws parallels with other fields, such as Computational biology.

Many of her research projects under Gene are closely connected to Reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle and Chlorobium tepidum with Reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle and Chlorobium tepidum, tying the diverse disciplines of science together. Her Whole genome sequencing study integrates concerns from other disciplines, such as Hydrogenase, Bacteria and Photosynthesis. In Microbiology, Karen E. Nelson works on issues like Synteny, which are connected to Strain and Listeria monocytogenes.

Her most cited work include:

  • Structure, function and diversity of the healthy human microbiome (6128 citations)
  • Diversity of the human intestinal microbial flora. (5295 citations)
  • Genome sequence of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (3623 citations)

What are the main themes of her work throughout her whole career to date?

The scientist’s investigation covers issues in Genetics, Microbiome, Genome, Microbiology and Metagenomics. Her Whole genome sequencing, DNA sequencing, Horizontal gene transfer, Sequence analysis and Phylogenetics study are her primary interests in Genetics. Karen E. Nelson works mostly in the field of Microbiome, limiting it down to topics relating to Ecology and, in certain cases, Microbial ecology and Zoology.

Her Genome study deals with the bigger picture of Gene. The concepts of her Microbiology study are interwoven with issues in Bacteria, Bacteroidetes, Strain and Virulence. Her Metagenomics research includes elements of Evolutionary biology, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Computational biology and Bioinformatics.

She most often published in these fields:

  • Genetics (32.17%)
  • Microbiome (29.07%)
  • Genome (26.74%)

What were the highlights of her more recent work (between 2016-2021)?

  • Microbiome (29.07%)
  • Immunology (7.75%)
  • Microbiology (22.48%)

In recent papers she was focusing on the following fields of study:

Karen E. Nelson spends much of her time researching Microbiome, Immunology, Microbiology, Antibiotics and Disease. The various areas that Karen E. Nelson examines in her Microbiome study include Host, Cohort and Metagenomics. Karen E. Nelson combines subjects such as Bacteria, Biofilm, Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus faecalis with her study of Microbiology.

Her Antibiotics study combines topics in areas such as Gram, Computational biology and Physiology. Her study looks at the relationship between Human microbiome and fields such as Parasitology, as well as how they intersect with chemical problems. Her research on Phylogenetics also deals with topics like

  • Comparative genomics, which have a strong connection to Virulence,
  • Genome that intertwine with fields like Phenotype.

Between 2016 and 2021, her most popular works were:

  • Gut Microbiome-Based Metagenomic Signature for Non-invasive Detection of Advanced Fibrosis in Human Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (343 citations)
  • The blood DNA virome in 8,000 humans (133 citations)
  • Gastric acid suppression promotes alcoholic liver disease by inducing overgrowth of intestinal Enterococcus (107 citations)

In her most recent research, the most cited papers focused on:

  • Bacteria
  • Gene
  • Genome

Karen E. Nelson mostly deals with Microbiome, Immunology, Gut flora, Oral Microbiome and Disease. Her study in Microbiome focuses on Human microbiome in particular. Her biological study deals with issues like Zoology, which deal with fields such as Lemur and Transmission.

Her work in Immune system tackles topics such as Urinary system which are related to areas like Microbiology. Her Genotype study contributes to a more complete understanding of Genetics. Genetics is frequently linked to Virology in her study.

Best Publications

  • Structure, function and diversity of the healthy human microbiome

    Curtis Huttenhower;Curtis Huttenhower;Dirk Gevers;Rob Knight;Rob Knight;Sahar Abubucker

  • Diversity of the human intestinal microbial flora.

    Paul B. Eckburg;Elisabeth M. Bik;Charles N. Bernstein;Elizabeth Purdom

  • Metagenomic Analysis of the Human Distal Gut Microbiome

    Steven R. Gill;Mihai Pop;Robert T. DeBoy;Paul B. Eckburg;Paul B. Eckburg

  • Genome sequence of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

    Malcolm J. Gardner;Neil Hall;Eula Fung;Owen White

  • Environmental Genome Shotgun Sequencing of the Sargasso Sea

    J. Craig Venter;Karin Remington;John F. Heidelberg;Aaron L. Halpern

  • The complete genome sequence of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori

    Jean-F. Tomb;Owen White;Anthony R. Kerlavage;Rebecca A. Clayton

  • A framework for human microbiome research

    Barbara A. Methé;Karen E. Nelson;Mihai Pop;Heather H. Creasy

  • DNA sequence of both chromosomes of the cholera pathogen Vibrio cholerae

    John F. Heidelberg;Jonathan A. Eisen;William C. Nelson;Rebecca A. Clayton

  • Evidence for lateral gene transfer between Archaea and Bacteria from genome sequence of Thermotoga maritima

    Karen E. Nelson;Rebecca A. Clayton;Steven R. Gill;Michelle L. Gwinn

  • The complete genome sequence of the hyperthermophilic, sulphate-reducing archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus

    Hans-Peter Klenk;Rebecca A. Clayton;Jean-Francois Tomb;Owen White

  • Complete Genome Sequence of a Virulent Isolate of Streptococcus pneumoniae

    H. Tettelin;K. E. Nelson;I. T. Paulsen;Jonathan A Eisen

  • Complete genome sequence and comparative analysis of the metabolically versatile Pseudomonas putida KT2440

    K. E. Nelson;C. Weinel;I. T. Paulsen;R. J. Dodson

  • Complete Genome Sequence of Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup B Strain MC58

    Hervé Tettelin;Nigel J. Saunders;John Heidelberg;Alex C. Jeffries

  • Molecular analysis of the bacterial microbiota in the human stomach

    Elisabeth M. Bik;Paul B. Eckburg;Steven R. Gill;Karen E. Nelson

  • A Guild of 45 CRISPR-Associated (Cas) Protein Families and Multiple CRISPR/Cas Subtypes Exist in Prokaryotic Genomes

    Daniel Henry Haft;Jeremy Selengut;Emmanuel F. Mongodin;Karen E. Nelson

  • Habitat degradation impacts black howler monkey ( Alouatta pigra ) gastrointestinal microbiomes

    Katherine R Amato;Carl J Yeoman;Carl J Yeoman;Angela Kent;Nicoletta Righini

  • Genome sequence of the radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans R1.

    O. White;J. A. Eisen;J. F. Heidelberg;E. K. Hickey

  • Functional metagenomic profiling of nine biomes

    Elizabeth A. Dinsdale;Robert A. Edwards;Dana Hall;Florent Angly

  • Role of Mobile DNA in the Evolution of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis

    I. T. Paulsen;L. Banerjei;G. S. A. Myers;K. E. Nelson

  • Molecular analysis of the diversity of vaginal microbiota associated with bacterial vaginosis

    Zongxin Ling;Jianming Kong;Jianming Kong;Fang Liu;Haibin Zhu

Frequent Co-Authors

Manolito Torralba
Manolito Torralba J. Craig Venter Institute
Steven R. Leigh
Steven R. Leigh University of Colorado Boulder
Claire M. Fraser
Claire M. Fraser University of Maryland, Baltimore
Bryan A. White
Bryan A. White University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Shibu Yooseph
Shibu Yooseph University of Central Florida
Jonathan A. Eisen
Jonathan A. Eisen University of California, Davis
Ian T. Paulsen
Ian T. Paulsen Macquarie University
Brenda A. Wilson
Brenda A. Wilson University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Robert T. DeBoy
Robert T. DeBoy J. Craig Venter Institute
William C. Nelson
William C. Nelson Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

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