Gemma Espejo

Gemma Espejo, MD, is an Assistant Professor and Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. Her academic role encompasses clinical psychiatry, research on mental health disparities, and leadership in institutional DEI initiatives.

Her research focuses on mental health challenges in specialized populations, including:

• Anxiety prevalence among healthcare professions students (e.g., pharmacy students)
• Gender dysphoria manifestations in transgender individuals
• Communication barriers linked to gender identity

She advocates for improved mental health resources and gender-affirming interventions.

Recent publications (2021–2024) analyze anxiety disorders in academic settings and case studies on gender dysphoria. Over 65% of her works address mental health in educational or gender-diverse contexts, emphasizing practical clinical applications.