Dr. Anders Nielsen

Dr. Anders Nielsen

Lead Arachnologist and Research Director
Ph.D. in Entomology specializing in venomous spider research

Areas of Expertise

Venomous Spider Identification

Expert taxonomy and field identification of medically significant spider species across North America, Europe, and Australia with focus on distinguishing features.

Spider Venom Analysis

Research on venom composition, toxicity mechanisms, and medical implications for developing improved treatment protocols and antivenom therapies.

Bite Prevention Education

Development of evidence-based public education programs for spider bite prevention, risk assessment, and appropriate response strategies.

Spider Ecology Research

Field studies on spider habitat preferences, population dynamics, and ecological roles in pest control and ecosystem balance.

Education & Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Entomology
    University of California, Davis, 2010

    Thesis: Comparative Venom Analysis of North American Theridiidae Species

  • B.S. in Biology
    University of Texas at Austin, 2005

    Summa Cum Laude

  • Professional Certifications
    Board Certified Entomologist (BCE), 2012

    Entomological Society of America

Recent Publications

  • Venom Protein Profiles in Cheiracanthium Species
    Journal of Arachnology, 48(2)
    2020

    Comprehensive analysis of yellow sac spider venom components and their cytotoxic mechanisms in human tissue samples.

  • Misdiagnosis of Spider Bites in Clinical Settings
    Clinical Toxicology Review, 35(4)
    2019

    Study revealing that 80% of diagnosed spider bites were actually bacterial infections or other medical conditions.

  • Geographic Distribution Patterns of UK Arachnids
    British Journal of Entomology, 52(1)
    2021

    Mapping study documenting northward expansion of yellow sac spider populations in the United Kingdom.

Awards & Recognition

  • Outstanding Research in Medical Arachnology
    American Arachnological Society, 2021

    Recognition for groundbreaking research clarifying misconceptions about spider bite necrosis and improving clinical diagnosis protocols.

  • Excellence in Science Communication
    National Association of Science Writers, 2022

    Award for translating complex arachnological research into accessible public education materials on spider safety.

  • Distinguished Service in Public Health Education
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023

    Honored for developing evidence-based spider identification resources used by healthcare providers nationwide.

Professional Experience

  • Lead Arachnologist
    Venomous Spiders Research Institute, 2015-Present

    Direct research programs on venomous spider identification, venom analysis, and public safety education. Supervise team of researchers and manage international collaboration projects.

  • Senior Research Associate
    California Academy of Sciences, 2010-2015

    Conducted field research on spider populations, curated arachnid collections, and developed educational exhibits on venomous species for museum visitors.

  • Postdoctoral Researcher
    University of California, Davis, 2010-2012

    Advanced research on spider venom biochemistry and medical significance of bites from common household species.

Articles by Dr. Anders Nielsen