Jennifer D. Russell receives Charles Blakeslee Nettleton Fellowship
Jennifer Russell outside of Cheatham Hall on Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus. Photo by Max Esterhuizen for Virginia Tech.
Jennifer D. Russell, associate professor of biomaterials in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, has been awarded the Charles Blakeslee Nettleton Fellowship by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The Charles Blakeslee Nettleton Fellowship in Forest Products was established through the generosity of the Nettleton family to honor the legacy of Charles B. Nettleton, a successful entrepreneur and land manager whose work reflected a deep commitment to stewardship, education, and practical engagement with forest resources. The fellowship recognizes faculty members who demonstrate outstanding excellence in teaching, undergraduate engagement, and mentorship and who advance the department’s teaching mission through innovative, student-centered activities.
Russell’s teaching philosophy centers on empowering students to understand the interconnectedness of human, industrial, and natural systems and to apply systems-based thinking to complex sustainability challenges, and she has received a university Excellence in Teaching Award. Her courses integrate principles of industrial ecology, circular economy, and sustainability science, equipping students with both analytical and practical tools that prepare them for leadership roles in industry, policy, and research.
She also co-founded a new major in sustainable systems science.
Since 2022, she has involved more than 30 undergraduate students in experiential learning opportunities, including independent studies, field experiences, undergraduate research, and industry-partnered projects. These efforts provide students with meaningful exposure to professional practice while reinforcing academic learning and career readiness.
Russell earned an MBA from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in sustainable systems from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
