Is there any way to alter the avatar upload so that it does not automatically transform the image into 100 X 100 pixels? I have images saved as 75 X 100 pixels and they get distorted when uploaded.

Your avatar preferences at the bottom of the avatar settings page controls how wide and tall your avatar it. Fill them in accordingly.

Ah, thank you very much Corsair - I was trying to re-adjust the size after the upload which wasn't working. Much better now