معرفی
Erica Koegler serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she teaches Master's level research methods courses and advises MSW students. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2016), a Master of Social Work from the University of Chicago (2010), and a BA in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University (2004).
Her educational foundation is reflected in her research profile:
- PhD, Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2011-2016)
- MA, Social Work, University of Chicago (2008-2010)
- BA, Psychology, Eastern Illinois University (2000-2004)
Dr. Koegler's research centers on human trafficking in the American Midwest and global health issues affecting conflict-affected populations, with expertise in mixed methods and community-based participatory research. Fluent in Swahili, she has conducted fieldwork in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa, examining intersections of mental health, sexual risk, and substance use among vulnerable populations including refugees and transgender individuals.
Her 24+ publications reveal consistent methodological rigor and thematic focus on trafficking victimization patterns, mental health correlates, and service gaps. Recent work employs latent class analysis for victimization typologies and examines ICD coding practices in emergency departments, demonstrating both epidemiological sophistication and practical clinical applications. Her research consistently bridges global health perspectives with domestic Midwest contexts.
Dr. Koegler currently leads two human trafficking research initiatives in the Midwest while mentoring graduate students. Her collaborative work with service providers informs trauma-informed treatment approaches for survivors, particularly regarding substance use interventions. She actively engages with community stakeholders through participatory research frameworks to address systemic gaps in trafficking identification and response systems.
