Helen Grammen

As an undergraduate Owl, Freshman Direct Admit BSN student Helen Grammen has combined her passion for research and women’s health. Under the mentorship of Dr. Candy Wilson, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing associate dean for Nursing Research and Scholarship and professor, she has been studying the influence of age, education and ethnicity on contraceptive choice and typical use effectiveness among military women. 
 
“I enjoy that nursing research allows me to explore ways to make positive changes in health care through evidence-based practice,” shared Grammen. “Dr. Wilson has been a huge source of support and encouragement over the past two years in the Honors Research program. She has inspired me to continue with research and has made me seriously consider pursuing a Ph.D. one day.” 
 
Grammen also gained important experiential insights as a lab member in Dr. James Hartmann’s Endometriosis Lab, a professor of biological sciences in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Endometriosis is the primary cause of infertility in women and currently does not have any known cause or cure. 
 
The top-performing student was recognized for her scientific accomplishments as the College of Nursing’s 2025 Undergraduate Researcher of the Year. Grammen received the award during Florida Atlantic’s 56th annual Honors Convocation, which recognizes the university’s most outstanding students and faculty. 
 
“I feel incredibly honored to be named the 2025 Undergraduate Researcher of the Year for the College of Nursing,” stated Grammen. “I first became interested in research during high school, so receiving this recognition means a lot to me.” 
 
Following her graduation in May 2025, Grammen’s goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner. She plans to continue contributing to research that brings about positive changes in health care. 
 
“I want to continue using research to drive evidence-based practice and improve outcomes for patients, especially in women’s health,” noted Grammen. “I believe small changes in nursing practice can lead to big impacts in people’s lives.”