As a behavioral epidemiologist, her research and teaching focuses on understanding the influence of the physical and social environment on health behaviors to inform interventions and policy that can ultimately reduce chronic disease, particularly around tobacco use and healthy food access. She teaches graduate level health behavior theory and mentors several masters and doctoral students. Her work also intersects public health practice, and she is very involved with local initiatives to promote equity and social justice to improve health. Beyond her academic interests, Erika enjoys spending quality time at baseball games, working in the yard, cooking and just hanging out with her husband and three young children.