This series includes records related to Russell's early career and doctoral studies, including records from the Naturalist-Ecologist Training Program (NETP), his (declined) Fulbright application to perform research at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, some materials related to the Biology Department at the University of Michigan, and materials related to Russell's CAREER award from the National Science Foundation. Materials include correspondence, applications, proposals, some research data, etc.

This series include administrative documents related to Russell's doctoral studies; research and publications coming out of his doctoral studies have been placed in those respective series.