Elizabeth Johnson Avery, “Beth,” is an Associate Professor of Public Relations and was Co-Director of the Risk, Health, and Crisis Communication Organized Research Unit at the University of Tennessee from 2009-2013. Avery has published 30 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals and presented 42 pieces of original research at national and international academic conferences. Her research unit received $156,000 in funding from the University of Tennessee Office of Research. In addition to numerous other internal funding awards, Avery has applied for more than $2 million in grants from agencies including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation. Avery’s research recently won the College-wide research award for top faculty researcher. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Tennessee, Avery completed a post-doctoral assistantship on a $3.5 million CDC grant, served as Campaign Manager for a mayoral candidate, and was the Environmental Education Coordinator at the Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division for several years.