Sasha Pimentel

Sasha Pimentel is Associate Professor of Poetry and Creative Nonfiction in the bilingual (Spanish-English) MFA program at the University of Texas at El Paso's Department of Creative Writing, part of the College of Liberal Arts. A Filipina poet born in Manila and raised transnationally, she authored the award-winning collections For Want of Water (National Poetry Series winner, PEN/Open Book finalist) and Insides She Swallowed (American Book Award).

Her research explores cultural identity, migration, and social justice through poetry and creative nonfiction. Recent works like What Saves Us (2019) examine political empathy in contemporary America. She received the University of Texas System's 2015 Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award and served as Picador Guest Professor at Leipzig University (2017-2018).

Analysis of her recent publications shows consistent engagement with:

• Border narratives and transnational identity
• Political commentary through poetic forms
• Explorations of cultural heritage and diaspora
• Psychological landscapes and emotional testimony