Annella Nelson is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Development at LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Accounting in 1982 from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and then obtained her MBA from Louisiana State University in Shreveport in 1986. She became a Certified Public Accountant in 1983.

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Before becoming the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Development, Mrs. Nelson was the Director of the Office for Sponsored Programs & Technology Transfer (OSPTT) where she administered the institutional Technology Transfer Program at LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport. She oversaw the licensing of many technologies to major outside companies such as BioNTech and Life Technologies along with the development of startup companies such as Innolyzer and Embera. In 2004, she received the LSU Foundation Employee of the Year Award.

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Prior to LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Mrs. Nelson worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for many years as the Accounting Director in Special Operations. She received Special Achievement Awards in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996.

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Mrs. Nelson is a member of the National Organization of Research Development Professionals, the Association of University Technology Managers, and other professional research associations. Mrs. Nelson is married to Brad Nelson and they reside in Bossier City. They have two children who are attending college.