Ms. Gracie Wilson | Comparative Human Development | Best Researcher Award

University of Chicago, United States

Gracie Wilson, a graduate student at the University of Chicago, specializes in medical and psychological anthropology, with a focus on mental health and disability studies. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Comparative Human Development, expected to be completed in 2029. Gracie holds a B.A. in Anthropology with Highest Honors from Emory University and has a deep interest in understanding college student mental health, belonging, and stress. Her work bridges anthropology and public health, contributing valuable insights into contemporary mental health narratives in higher education.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education 

Ph.D., Comparative Human Development, The University of Chicago, 2023-2029 (anticipated). Credential in Higher Education Administration. B.A. in Anthropology with Highest Honors, Emory University, 2023 Thesis: “The Culture of College Mental Health: Narratives of Stress, Value, and Belonging” Advisor: Dr. Chikako Ozawa-de Silva

💼 Experience 

Graduate Student, The University of Chicago (May-December 2024) Master’s research focused on college peer education and mental health promotion programs with 30 interviews. Research Assistant, Office of Institutional Analysis, The University of Chicago (2023-) Assisting with institutional outcomes, retention, and campus climate data collection. Teaching Assistant, Critical Studies of Mental Health in Higher Education (Spring 2025). Teaching Assistant, Disability and Design (Winter 2025)

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Gianinno Graduate Research Award, $2000 (2024). Gianinno Conference Award, The University of Chicago, $420 (2023). GradCouncil Individual Award, The University of Chicago, $750 (2023). The University of Chicago 6-year Graduate Fellowship, $37,000-$45,000 annually (2023). National Achievement Award, Lambda Alpha National Honors Society, $5,000 (2023)

🔬 Research Focus 

Gracie’s research blends medical and psychological anthropology, emphasizing adolescent mental health, disability studies, and public health. She explores student mental health in universities, focusing on peer education programs, belonging, stress narratives, and how these factors influence student experiences. Her fieldwork and publications contribute to better understanding the intersection of college culture and mental health, particularly in relation to stress and mental well-being.

📝 Conclusion

Gracie Wilson’s academic journey, research focus, and commitment to mental health within university settings demonstrate her promise as a future leader in the fields of medical anthropology and public health. Her contributions to understanding the mental health experiences of college students are not only academically robust but also socially impactful. With her ongoing research, leadership roles, and publications, she is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. Further diversifying her research scope and expanding public outreach will solidify her position as an influential scholar in her field.

Publication

• The Culture of College Mental Health: Narratives of Stress, Value, and Belonging

  • Year: 2023

  • Author(s): G. Wilson

  • Affiliation: Emory University

 

• Influence of political ideology on perceptions of mask wearing and microaggressions

  • Year: 2023

  • Author(s): G. Wilson, J. Mischel, P. Addala

  • Journal: London Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, 23(12), 1-11