Shannon Nelson is a human female born on the USS Tudor. She is 26 years old, single, average height, very blond hair, blue eyes.

Ensign Shannon Nelson is one of the kindest, nicest and most intelligent nurses in the Federation. Her father, Captain Samuel Nelson is one of the best captains in Starfleet, on the USS Claudius. Her mother, Fran Nelson is a teacher on the same ship.

Shannon comes from a long line of Starfleet CMOs, Captains, and Admirals. The Nelson family is well known in Starfleet, in fact one of Shannon's ancestors was one of the founders of the United Federation of Planets. Shannon's brother, Lt. Cmdr. Justin Nelson is one of the Fleet's top engineering chiefs, on the USS Kenya. Her sister, Cmdr. Elizabeth Nelson is the First Officer aboard the USS Grissom.

Samuel Nelson met Fran Nelson when they were both Ensigns on the USS London. They married, but soon Ensign Samuel Nelson was promoted and then 11 years later, after the birth of their first child, Elizabeth he was transferred to the USS Tudor. Ensign Fran resigned from Starfleet so she could raise her children and came aboard the Tudor. Later, Cmdr. Nelson was made captain of the Claudius.

Shannon, the youngest of the three siblings was born on the USS Tudor. She has served aboard the USS Enterprise and the USS Endeavour before being transferred to Deep Space 13.