Whether you're a student, colleague, or future employer, here’s a glimpse into my academic journey and research.
I grew up in Minnesota but made my way just one state south to the University of Iowa, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Spanish. Fueled by a lifelong love for the language and culture, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Spanish linguistics, literature, and all the vibrant traditions that come with it.
After earning my Bachelor’s degree, I was eager to immerse myself in the Spanish-speaking world. That desire led me to Madrid, where I pursued a Master’s in *Didáctica del Español como Lengua Extranjera (Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language) at Universidad Nebrija. During my time in Spain, I honed my Spanish fluency and fully embraced the country’s rich and dynamic culture.
After returning to the United States, I was eager to further explore Hispanic linguistics, a field I developed a deep passion for while working on my Master’s thesis. I was thrilled to be accepted into Georgetown’s prestigious PhD program in Hispanic Linguistics. As a first-year student, I’m diving into a wide range of foundational course
After returning to the United States, I was eager to further explore Hispanic linguistics, a field I developed a deep passion for while working on my Master’s thesis. I was thrilled to be accepted into Georgetown’s prestigious PhD program in Hispanic Linguistics. As a first-year student, I’m diving into a wide range of foundational courses, including Phonology, Phonetics, Syntax, and World Spanishes.
My research centers on Spanish second language acquisition, with a focus on native English speakers and their development of suprasegmental linguistic features in Spanish. Specifically, I study prosody—encompassing intonation, rhythm, and accentuation—as well as syllabification, which are critical yet often challenging components for learners to acquire. Understanding how these elements are internalized at different stages of proficiency allows for a deeper exploration of the interplay between native language influence and target language development.
In addition to my research on linguistic acquisition, I am deeply interested in pedagogy. I aim to apply my findings to the language classroom by designing methods and materials that make learning Spanish both more effective and more engaging. By integrating insights from second language learning research into practical teaching strategies, my goal is to enhance students’ understanding of these nuanced aspects of Spanish, ultimately helping them communicate with greater fluency and confidence.inspire curiosity and foster a love for knowledge.
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