Biography

Dr. Emily R. Johnson is an Instructional Assistant Professor and the Practicum Coordinator for the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences (FYCS) at the University of Florida. Prior to joining FYCS, Dr. Johnson served as a lecturer for the Department of Health Education and Behavior at the University of Florida. She also served as the Mental Health Coordinator for the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Idaho (UI) in Moscow, Idaho. At UI, Dr. Johnson worked to create a more inclusive and healthy campus community by leading mental health trainings for faculty and staff and created wellbeing programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. These programs included the initiation of a visiting therapy dog program and the redesign of a student 'Wellspace' based on research regarding the impact of physical space on wellness.

Dr. Johnson spent time working for a therapeutic weight loss program for people ages 9-26, and it was here that she first truly understood firsthand the role that mental health and emotional wellbeing played in physical health and overall quality of life. With this experience, and a foundation in physiology and fitness, Dr. Johnson’s research is guided by understanding how youth programming can positively impact mental and physical health. Her dissertation studied the role of maternal psychological control on body image satisfaction.

Dr. Johnson earned a B.S. in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with a concentration in fitness and wellness and a minor in Education, a M.S. in Health Education, and a PhD in Health and Human Performance with a minor in Child and Adolescent Development, from the University of Florida. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer for Suicide Prevention) trainer, and Adult Mental Health First Aid instructor.