Abernathy began as a professor at the
University of Florida in 1993. From 2004 and 2009, she worked as an associate dean for the college. In 2009, she was named the Dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. She eventually stepped down in December of 2022, being replaced in the interim by Forrest Masters. She was among three finalists to be the new president of the
University of Memphis. Ultimately,
Bill Hardgrave was appointed. Her research includes work in thin-film electronic materials and devices. She is the author of over 500 journal publications, 430 conference papers, one co-authored book, 7 edited books, 8 book chapters, and 7 distinct patents. ==Recognition==