He earned his Ph.D. in computer science and software engineering from Auburn University. His research interests focus on software process and effort estimation, specifically with regard to individual software engineers and microISVs. His work on SISE -- an effort estimation model tailored to individuals -- has been published in Crosstalk, the Journal of Defense Software Engineering, and his research into microISVs has been published in IEEE’s IT Pro. Russell served in the U.S. Air Force during Desert Storm and Desert Calm and has been happily married for more than 25 years.