Lucinda Austin

Graduate Student 

Lucinda Austin earned her M.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park, and B.S. degrees in Communication and Media Studies from Radford University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Communication with special emphases in the areas of Public Relations and Health. Her research focuses on the intersections of public relations with health and risk communication for campaigns and organization-public relationship building. Currently, Ms. Austin is participating in center research initiatives including a study on the influence of nutrition symbols and information on cognitive processing and purchase intent and a study on young women's attitudes and motivations regarding indoor tanning behaviors. Her professional experience includes serving as a Communication Specialist and Research Analyst for a firm offering communication and health marketing research and support to government and non-profit organizations. She also teaches undergraduate public relations courses at the University of Maryland.