Research keywords:
Spanish in the U.S. - Hispanic Sociolinguistics -Language in Society - Linguistic Landscapes - Multilingualism - Spanish as a Foreign Language
¡Hola!
Welcome to My Website.
I am an applied sociolinguist whose work explores Spanish in the United States, language anthropology, and the sociolinguistic dimensions of Spanish across communities and borders. My research also engages Latin American (re)presentations of art—particularly in literature, film, and Heavy Metal music—as sites where language, identity, and power intersect.
I hold a Ph.D. in Spanish with a concentration in Hispanic Linguistics, and a Master's Degree in Applied Linguistics with a concentration of Spanish as a Foreign Language. My research explores the sociopolitical dimensions of language in society, focusing on linguistic landscapes (written language in public spaces), language contact, and the representation of Hispanic and Latin American identities in contemporary literature and media.
My projects have examined Spanish in Philadelphia's Latino/x communities, Spanish in the linguistic landscapes of Philadelphia, the symbolic value of English in Colombia, Spanish in the Philippines, and heritage speakers of Spanish in Southern Texas. I am interested in how migration, colonial histories, and public discourse shape language practices and language ideologies. More broadly, I analyze the impact of (im)migration on Spanish in the U.S. and advocate for sociolinguistic justice in educational and community settings.
My doctoral dissertation examined the presence and growth of Spanish in public spaces throughout Philadelphia, a study that has been published in academic journals, presented at international conferences, and featured in media outlets such as The Philadelphia Inquirer and NPR-affiliate WHYY. I've also been invited to talk more about my findings at the City Cast Philly Podcast.
On a personal level, I am passionate about music, particularly symphonic power metal, baroque classical music, and bebop jazz. I love reading novels (especially works by Latin American and Japanese authors) and exploring world cultures through travel, reading, and creating meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds.
I am also a guitar and keyboard player, and you can listen to my band’s music here.
Thank you for visiting my website. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to learn more about my work or discuss potential collaborations.