Catarina Passidomo

Catarina Passidomo is an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Washington and Lee University (W&L), where she joined in 2024. She previously spent a decade teaching Southern Studies and Anthropology at the University of Mississippi. Passidomo holds a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from W&L, an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in Geography from the same institution. Her research focuses on food systems, gastrogeography, and environmental justice, particularly exploring how food narratives shape regional identities in contexts like the American South and Peru.

Her interdisciplinary work bridges environmental studies, cultural anthropology, and geography, with a focus on issues such as sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and the socio-environmental histories linking the U.S. South and Peru. She is currently developing a comparative book project titled Gastroimaginaries: Dreams of Food and Place in Peru and the American South, examining how food narratives construct place-based identities.

Passidomo’s research also addresses food justice, post-disaster urban recovery (e.g., post-Katrina New Orleans), and the intersection of race, labor, and immigration in food systems. She critiques how cultural narratives often obscure systemic inequalities while advocating for community-driven solutions to food insecurity and environmental challenges.

Her publications span peer-reviewed journals like Food, Culture & Society and interdisciplinary platforms, reflecting her commitment to both academic rigor and public engagement. Though no specific grants or advising roles are detailed in the provided texts, her work emphasizes collaborative community initiatives and pedagogical innovation in environmental studies.