Scholar Profile

Grace Russell of Belmont, North Carolina earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University in 2020. Prior to pursuing a degree in nursing, she taught English at a primary school in Thailand as a Fulbright grantee, an experience that deepened her interest in child development across diverse contexts. She went on to complete the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at the UNC School of Nursing and is now a PhD student and member of the tenth cohort of Hillman Scholars. Her research focuses on how neighborhood environments shape early childhood development and health outcomes. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys baking, playing tennis and pickleball, and listening to podcasts.