Gary L. Kreps is a leading health communication scholar. He serves as University Distinguished Professor, Chair of the Department of Communication, and Director of the Center for Health and Risk Communication at George Mason University. His research examines the design, implementation, and evaluation of communication interventions for promoting health and reducing health disparities. He publishes widely (more than 350 scholarly articles and books) concerning health communication/promotion, health informatics, multicultural relations, social organization, and research methods. From 1999 to 2004 he was the founding Chief of the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch at the National Cancer Institute (NIH), where he developed/directed major national health research programs, including the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), the Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research, and the Digital Divide Pilot Projects. He serves as a senior scientific advisor to the DHHS, NIH, CDC, AHRQ, FDA. HRSA, SMHSA, WHO, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kaiser Family Foundation, National Minority AIDS Council, Sun Safety Alliance, Breast Health Global Initiative, and several major research firms, health care organizations, and international government agencies. His recent work examines the health information needs of vulnerable populations both domestically and internationally. He also helped found and co-directs the Global Advocacy Leadership Academy (GALA).