Emil’s research investigates how health systems can better care for marginalized populations experiencing stigmatized mental health concerns and is informed by nearly a decade of post-MSW practice experience. Currently, Emil is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Clinical Research and Education, where they are developing an intervention prototype to support integrated primary care teams to prevent, identify, and manage eating disorders. Their broader scholarship also investigates social work’s role in suicide intervention and reducing weight stigma. Their work has been published in leading journals such as Social Science and Medicine and American Psychologist.
Emil’s qualitative dissertation, supported by an NIH TL1 predoctoral fellowship, was informed by their prior research with trans primary care patients with eating disorders. Through interviewing trans-affirming primary care providers from across the U.S., this study revealed how barriers, including limited eating disorder knowledge, scarce integrated supports, and few viable eating disorder treatment referral options, contributed to primary care providers’ feelings of discomfort, isolation, and avoidance regarding eating disorders. Additionally, it examined primary care providers’ roles in mitigating the adverse health impacts of the current sociopolitical climate.
Since 2018, Emil has taught students across clinical settings (e.g., addictions treatment, hospitals, primary care) and academic environments (undergraduate, graduate and fellowship levels). They are committed to advancing critical and inclusive social work pedagogy that cultivates social workers who are client-centered and driven to recognize and advocate against systemic injustice.
Research Interests
- Transgender and Gender Diverse Health Equity
- Disordered Eating and Weight Stigma
- Integrated Primary Care
- Healthcare Delivery
- Anti-Carceral Social Work Practice
