Brianna GambettiGraduate Student

Brianna’s research interests include investigating methods for improving quality of life for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Currently, she is examining bidirectional associations between parent depression symptoms and child internalizing mental health problems in families of autistic children. Her past research has explored associations between parent couple conflict and internalizing and externalizing problems in autistic children. Additionally, Brianna is also interested in how lifestyle factors such as sleep quality or employment may influence the development of dementia in adults with Down syndrome.

Education and Relevant Experience

While earning her undergraduate degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, Brianna interned and later worked for Marcfirst, a nonprofit organization serving individuals with IDD. She assisted in the areas of customized employment and transition, providing systematic instruction to individuals placed in employment positions, and co-leading a summer school-to-work program for teenagers with IDD. She was also a regular volunteer at Friendsfirst, a social group for people with IDD, sponsored by Marcfirst. Brianna earned her master’s degree in Human Ecology in May 2020 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Future career goals and interests include community outreach through nonprofit work and scholarly research.