Merci Angela Paulhill is pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing at The University of Texas at Austin, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Her research on interstitial lung disease examines psychosocial, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors that influence treatment adoption and adherence, informing policies to improve program effectiveness and patient outcomes. On campus, she served as a graduate research assistant in the Multiple Sclerosis Imaging and Outcomes Research Lab, contributing to one of the longest-running longitudinal studies of multiple sclerosis, spanning 28 years. Paulhill also worked as a perioperative nurse specializing in spine and neurosurgery and lectured undergraduate students on the intersection of clinical care and health policy. An advocate for health equity, she testified in support of eliminating the tax on menstrual products in Texas, which later became law. Through the Graduate Archer Fellowship, Paulhill aims to explore how research informs programs, guidance, and federal decision-making to improve chronic illness care.