Kristen earned her PhD in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 and is currently a postdoctoral associate in the REAACT lab. Her research interests include better understanding the experiences and needs of families with autistic family members and supporting them in ways that help all members thrive. She is also interested in inclusive research practices that directly engage and center community stakeholders (e.g. autistic self-advocates) and strengthen research-community partnerships. Kristen currently works primarily on the lab’s measurement development projects (REALS, EDI-SR, ASI) and on the EASE for All project, which assesses support needs among autistic adults and parents of autistic adults. Kristen has a lot of hobbies and she loves to talk about them; cooking, crocheting, gardening, seeing live music, and traveling are her favorites.
- B.S. Psychology, Colorado State University - 2011
- MSW, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh - 2017
- PhD, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh - 2020