Dr. Shannon Avery-Desmarais (she/her) joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences in September 2019. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Cornell University, a master’s degree in Nursing Practice from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and a PhD in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She has been a primary care nurse practitioner for Southcoast Health since 2014. She has also worked as a nurse practitioner for Fenway Health, a community health clinic in Boston with a focus on LGBTQ health. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, she was a critical care nurse for 10 years. Her research focus is on substance use and LGBTQ health. She lives with her wife, dog and one crazy cat. Her hobbies include swimming, spending time with family and singing-especially in the car.