Emily F Dauria

I am a behavioral scientist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. My research applies mixed-methods to examine substance use, sexual and reproductive health, and violence among women and youth involved or impacted by the carceral system. I currently serve as a Principal Investigator (PI) on a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded R34 aimed at developing and testing a peer-led navigation intervention for women involved in the carceral system to reduce intersectional stigma and improve access to PrEP for HIV-prevention (R34DA050480). In 2022, I received funding from the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at the University of Pittsburgh to collect pilot data to develop an intervention directed at improving access to and engagement in clinical research for individuals involved or affected by the carceral system via a Peer Research Assistant program. Peer Research Assistants (PRAs) are individuals recruited from the community, trained in research methodologies, and offered pathways to employment by being hired as active members of clinical research teams. This model can improve the effectiveness, relevance, and acceptability of research studies by ensuring the questions, approaches, and mediums of dissemination are appropriate. I am also the PI of a recently completed evaluation examining the implementation and impact of a structural-level domestic violence homicide prevention intervention (i.e., the Lethality Assessment Program) for individuals who have had contact with law enforcement.