Elizabeth Easter

Elizabeth Easter
Professor

Professional Profile

Dr. Easter received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Textile Science from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.  She has conducted research, presented and published papers in the area of laundry fundamentals.  Her research experience ranges from basic research in the development of detergent formulations to applied research, such as evaluating the removal of pesticides during home laundering.  Currently, Dr. Easter has an ongoing research focus in both consumer and institutional laundry fundamentals.  In 1988, Dr. Easter established the Textile Testing Laboratory in the Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles Department and she continues to manage this lab.  The laboratory provides contractual fee based services for the Association for Linen Management (ALM) as well as the textile, apparel, and appliance industries.  The services for ALM resulted in grants exceeding $600,000. 

Protective clothing for various occupations has been another research focus.  Dr. Easter has worked with manufacturers to evaluate design options and materials for protective fire fighters’ turnout coats.  She also evaluated quality characteristics of fabrics used for protective clothing for agriculture workers to protect them from harmful pesticides.

Dr. Easter is a textile consultant and spends one day a week in the industry.  Over 50 corporations and organizations have utilized her expertise in textile testing for product development, evaluation and laundry fundamentals.

Course Instruction
  • MAT 120: Textiles for Consumers
  • MAT 515: Specification & Evaluation of Textiles & Apparel
  • MAT 520: Textiles for Interiors
  • RTM 600: Research Methods
Research
  • Laundry fundamentals of consumer and institutional textiles
  • Quality Control evaluation of apparel and textiles
  • Protective clothing

Education

Ph.D. University of Tennessee, 1982 Textile Science

M.S.  University of Tennessee, 1973 Textiles & Clothing

B.S.  Morehead State University, 1971 Vocational Home Economics Educ.

Areas of Interest

Extension, Research