Gabriella Modesti graduated in 2024 from Skidmore College with her B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Gender Studies. She interned with the Global Mental Health Program in 2023 and returned to serve as a Management Intern in 2024. While she was an undergraduate intern in 2023, she worked alongside the Gender, Adolescent Transitions and Environment (GATE) program, mentored by Dr. Angela Nguyen, they researched the relationship between pubertal timing and mental health-related outcomes, such as depression, suicidal ideation, and body image issues in adolescent girls. At Skidmore, Gabriella was involved in early childhood development research and various social psychology projects. Upon graduating from Skidmore, Gabriella hopes to continue researching for two more years before applying to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. or PsyD programs.
Throughout her time as a summer intern, Gabriella gained invaluable research experience, exposure to the field of global mental health, and developed a newfound interest in physiological psychology and the intersecting nature of psychology and public health. As a management intern, she loved getting to know the summer cohort, working with various Columbia faculty and friends on seminars, and helping advance the internship program for future cohorts. She is eternally grateful for her time and experiences at the Center, along with the friendships and valuable mentorship Columbia gave her as she entered her senior year and beyond.