Beth Piatote is an Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley. She holds a PhD in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford University and is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Nez Perce). Her work bridges scholarly and creative realms, focusing on Indigenous literature, law, language revitalization, and cultural studies. Education: PhD in Modern Thought and Literature (Stanford University). Research interests include Native American legal systems, Nez Perce language preservation, global Indigenous literatures, and creative writing. She co-founded and chairs Berkeley’s Designated Emphasis in Indigenous Language Revitalization and directs the Arts Research Center, where she leads the Indigenous Poetics Lab. Her publications include Domestic Subjects: Gender, Citizenship, and Law in Native American Literature (2013) and the short story collection The Beadworkers (2019), which received multiple literary recognitions. Her plays Antíkoni and Tricksters, Unite! explore Indigenous narratives through performance. Awards include MLA honorable mentions, PEN/Bingham Prize longlistings, and a 2020 Playwrights Retreat win. Current projects involve a scholarly monograph on sensory representations of Indigenous law and creative works in poetry and essays.
Diane E. Austin is a Professor and Director of the School of Anthropology at the University of Arizona. She also serves as a Research Anthropologist at the Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology (BARA). Her work focuses on environmental anthropology, particularly community dynamics in industrial and environmental contexts, with a strong emphasis on social justice and collaborative research. She has over 25 years of experience leading interdisciplinary projects in the U.S., Mexico, and Gulf Coast regions. Austin's research spans diverse areas including Native American communities, U.S.-Mexico border sustainability, Gulf Coast oil industry impacts, and urban food systems in arid regions. She has pioneered long-term partnerships with tribal organizations, federal agencies, and community groups, earning recognition such as the University Distinguished Outreach Professor (2008) and Distinguished Director (2023). Her recent work highlights longitudinal studies on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill's social effects, binational environmental initiatives in Nogales, and community-based approaches to disaster resilience. She coordinates BARA's internship and post-baccalaureate programs, supporting hundreds of students in applied anthropological research. Awards: Partners in Conservation Award (2010), Border Research Partnership Award Finalist (2012) Leadership Roles: Chair of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, Member of the Gulf Research Program Advisory Board Key Projects: Southern Paiute cultural preservation, Gulf Coast oil industry studies, Nogales reforestation initiatives Austin’s teaching includes courses on ethnographic methods, data analysis, and mixed-methods research. She actively engages in policy advocacy, contributing expert testimony in legal proceedings related to environmental disasters and labor rights.
Jennifer Gómez Menjívar is Professor and Director of the M.A. in Media Industries and Critical Cultural Studies at the University of North Texas. Her research examines historical and ethno-linguistic movements influencing text production, circulation, and reception across print media, screen cultures, and digital communities. With over 18 years of teaching experience, she previously held positions at international organizations including the UNECE and UNDP. Her scholarly interests span media linguistics, film adaptation, digital activism, hemispheric animation histories, Indigenous sovereignty media, and Spanish-language media. Her publications demonstrate interdisciplinary work bridging media studies, cultural history, and postcolonial theory. Her extensive publication record includes books such as Tropical Tongues: Language Ideologies, Endangerment, and Minority Languages in Belize (2018) and Black in Print: Plotting the Coordinates of Blackness in Central America (2023), as well as co-edited volumes on Indigenous technology and hemispheric Blackness. She received a Senior Research Fellowship at Freie University Berlin for her upcoming work on Indigenous sovereignty media. Gómez Menjívar teaches courses including Introduction to Graduate Studies in Media Arts, Women in Film, and Global Media. She also mentors students in critical media analysis and serves as faculty advisor for media research projects.
Ann D. Braude is a Senior Lecturer on American Religious History and Director of the Women's Studies in Religion Program at Harvard Divinity School (HDS), affiliated with Harvard University. She joined HDS in 1998 after roles at Carleton College and Macalester College. Her work emphasizes inclusive religious narratives, particularly exploring intersections of gender, spirituality, and social movements. Key research areas include 19th-century Spiritualism, Indigenous religious perspectives, and modern abstract art's relationship to spirituality. Braude holds an AB from Vassar College, MA from the University of Chicago, and PhD from Yale University. Her research has produced influential works like Radical Spirits (2008) and Sisters and Saints (2007), which examine women's roles in shaping religious history. She organized pivotal conferences such as the 2005 celebration of women at HDS and curated the bicentennial exhibition Faces of Divinity (2016). Her current projects include studying gender dynamics in abstract painting and Native American religious frameworks through a biennial speakers series. Braude’s courses focus on American religious history, feminist theology, and Indigenous religious studies. Her articles and public engagement reflect a commitment to bridging academic research with broader societal conversations about religion, gender, and culture. She maintains active roles in both Harvard Divinity School and the broader academic community, contributing to interdisciplinary dialogues on pluralism and religious diversity.
Purnima Dhavan is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Washington's College of Arts & Sciences, holding the Giovanni and Amne Costigan Endowed Professorship. She specializes in early modern South Asia (1500-1800), focusing on religious and cultural identity, Mughal institutions, and literary networks. Her research integrates interdisciplinary methods, with adjunct affiliations in Near Eastern Languages and the Jackson School's South Asia Center. Education: PhD in South Asian History from the University of Virginia (2003), MA (1998), and BA (1996) from the University of Michigan. She has taught at multiple institutions, including the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University and Bowdoin College. Research Interests: Mughal literary culture, Sikh warrior traditions, gender in pre-colonial societies, and environmental history. Notable works include her book *When Sparrows Became Hawks* (2011) on Sikh militarization and a forthcoming project on literary associations in Mughal urban centers. Publications span peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, emphasizing pre-colonial South Asia’s intellectual and socio-political dynamics. Awards include the Howard Keller Chair and NEH fellowships. Service: Extensive contributions to academic governance at UW, including roles in the Faculty Senate, departmental leadership, and national professional organizations like the American Historical Association and Association of Asian Studies. Languages: Native Hindi speaker, advanced Urdu/Persian/Punjabi, and proficient in Spanish.
Matthew Lakin is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Computer Science at the University of New Mexico, with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering. He is affiliated with the UNM Center for Biomedical Engineering and the School of Engineering, and collaborates extensively with the UNM Health Sciences Center and external institutions. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Cambridge, 2010 M.A. (Cantab), University of Cambridge, 2009 B.A. (Hons), Computer Science, University of Cambridge, 2005 Dr. Lakin's research focuses on molecular computing, DNA nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and formal verification of biomolecular circuits. He develops computational models and experimental systems for programmable biological devices, especially using heterochiral DNA to enhance stability in living cells. His work spans software tools for biodesign and experimental validation in mammalian systems, with applications in nanomedicine and biosensing. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in engineering robust, intelligent biomolecular systems. His work integrates machine learning concepts into chemical reaction networks, advances geometric modeling of DNA systems, and pioneers L-DNA-based circuits for intracellular applications. The research spans theoretical foundations, software tools, and wet-lab experimentation, emphasizing interdisciplinary innovation. Scientific Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2025 NSF CAREER Award, 2021 UNM School of Engineering Junior Faculty Research Excellence Award, 2021 Multiple student awards under his mentorship, including the Outstanding Graduate Student Award and DNA28 Best Student Presentation recognition Dr. Lakin has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, including Ph.D. graduates in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science. He leads major funded projects such as the NSF CAREER grant on heterochiral molecular computing, an EPSCoR Research Fellowship, and a $3M NSF grant on heavy metal biosensing in collaboration with Native American communities. He is also PI on multiple NSF grants related to synthetic cells and nucleic acid technologies. He directs the Lakin Lab for Programmable Biology, which operates within the Department of Computer Science and collaborates with Chemical & Biological Engineering and the Center for Biomedical Engineering. The lab emphasizes both computational modeling and experimental molecular biology, and runs an NSF-funded biotechnology summer camp in partnership with ¡Explora! science museum to strengthen STEM education in New Mexico.
Nizar F. Hermes serves as Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies at the University of Virginia, concurrently holding the position of Director of Graduate Studies. His office is located in 141 New Cabell Hall, with Spring 2025 office hours held Tuesdays from 12:00-3:00 PM. He maintains dual professional email contacts through the university system. His academic foundation includes: PhD in Comparative Literature, University of Toronto Dr. Hermes' research program centers on North African and Mediterranean literary traditions, with deep specialization in premodern Arabic-Islamic cultural production. His work investigates poetic representations of urban spaces, cross-cultural encounters between the Islamic world and Europe, and the transmission of literary heritage across the Mediterranean. Particular attention is given to Maghribī poetic imagination, elegiac traditions, and the intersection of literature with food history and refugee experiences. His methodological approach combines close textual analysis with historical contextualization to reveal continuities in Arab literary consciousness. Analysis of his recent publications (2014-2025) reveals three dominant scholarly trajectories: 1) The literary reconstruction of North African cities through poetic elegies, 2) Cross-cultural encounters documented in Arabic travel literature and folk poetry, and 3) The representation of European 'others' in medieval Arabic texts. His 2024 monograph 'Of Lost Cities' synthesizes these threads while his edited volume 'The City in Arabic Literature' (2018) establishes foundational frameworks for urban studies in Arabic literary criticism. No scientific awards or fellowships were documented in the source materials. While his role as Director of Graduate Studies indicates active mentorship responsibilities, specific student advisees and grant funding details were not provided in the available documentation. His scholarly output demonstrates sustained engagement with graduate education through publications on teaching methodologies for Arabic humanistic literature. No dedicated research laboratories or formal collaborative teams were referenced, though his co-edited volumes and multi-author publications suggest active participation in scholarly communities focused on Mediterranean studies and comparative literature.
Lourdes Ortega is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University and serves as Faculty Director of Georgetown’s Initiative for Multilingual Studies. Her work focuses on multilingualism beyond childhood, equitable language education, and decolonial epistemologies. She mentors students at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Former positions include roles at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (2004-2012), Northern Arizona University (2002-2004), and Georgia State University (2000-2002). Education: Ph.D. and M.A. from University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Her research investigates how multilingualism develops in non-native contexts, advocating for social justice and equity in language education. Key contributions include her award-winning 2000 meta-analysis in Language Learning , the textbook Understanding Second Language Acquisition (2009), and co-editing The Cambridge Handbook of Bilingualism (2019). Recent work addresses under-studied languages like Arabic and Urdu in U.S. K-12 education, emphasizing decolonial and Indigenous frameworks. She has published extensively in top journals such as Applied Linguistics , Studies in Second Language Acquisition , and World Englishes . Awards: Gerald M. Mara Faculty Mentoring Award (2016, 2020), Pimsleur Award (2001), and 2023 recognition as a top 2% cited researcher. She advises 22 doctoral students and has secured grants supporting multilingual education research. Leads Georgetown’s Initiative for Multilingual Studies, co-chairs the Harmonious Bilingualism Network (HaBilNet), and edits Language Learning . Served as President of the American Association for Applied Linguistics (2023-2024). Her work bridges theory and practice, prioritizing cura personalis (care for the individual) in mentoring and advocating for multilingual well-being.
Lady Rojas Benavente is an Associate Professor in the Department of Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics at Concordia University, where she has been teaching since her appointment as Assistant Professor in 1996, with promotion to Associate Professor in May 2003. Prior to joining Concordia, she served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa and as a lecturer at the Faculty of Education at The University of Western Ontario, where she taught second language methodology, French and Spanish. Dr. Rojas Benavente received her PhD in Hispanic Literature from the University Laval in 1991, following an MA in Spanish Literatures (Cum Laude, 1985) and BA in History and Spanish (1983), both from the University of Ottawa. She also holds a Diploma qualifying as a Secondary School teacher specializing in Spanish Language and Literature, Psychology and Philosophy from the National Pedagogic University of Women in Lima, Peru (Cum Laude, 1968). Her research focuses on Critical Feminism in Peruvian & Latin-American Women Writers, with special emphasis on contemporary Peruvian and Mexican narrative, drama, poetry and essay. Her work encompasses Cultural Studies and Literary and Critical Theories, Latin American History, Post-colonialism, Human Rights, Women Studies, Feminist Theories, Gender Issues, Latin America Black History, Indigenous and Minorities Studies, and Comparative Studies in Education. She has published nine books (two poetry collections and seven critical interpretations) and over 50 refereed papers in Latin American Women's literary work, particularly focusing on Peruvian and Mexican authors. Dr. Rojas Benavente's scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with themes of gender, ethnicity, and power structures in Latin American literature. Her recent publications explore the works of contemporary Peruvian women writers, examining how they address issues of violence, racism, and gender in post-independence national contexts. Her research trajectory reveals a deepening focus on decolonial perspectives, indigenous resistance, and the intersection of gender with other social categories. Hispanic Literary and Cultural Institute's Honor Diploma (2010) Publication Award from the University of New Brunswick for the Anthology, Constructing Memory: Latino-Canadian Women Writers in the New Millennium Recognition by Mouvement Desjardins in celebration of International Women's Day (2008) As president of the Society for Literary Criticism of Spanish American Women Writers' work (CCLEH), Dr. Rojas Benavente has facilitated connections between Concordia colleagues, local artists, international writers, and the Latino-Montreal community. She serves on the editorial boards of Alba de America, a literary magazine from the United States, and Voces, a Peruvian cultural magazine. Her leadership extends to organizing numerous conferences on Latin American women writers across Canada, Latin America, and Montreal, including multiple meetings of Hispano-Canadian Women Writers and events commemorating significant figures in Latin American literature.
Gustavo Verdesio serves as an Associate Professor of Spanish within the Department of Romance Languages & Literatures at the University of Michigan. He maintains significant interdisciplinary affiliations as a faculty member of the Program in Native American Studies and as a Faculty Associate for Latina/o Studies. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies or Latin American Studies from Northwestern University (1992) Verdesio's research critically engages with Colonial Studies, Native American Studies, and Material Culture, focusing on Indigenous materialities in Uruguayan history. His current project examines the re-emergence of Indigenous groups previously declared extinct in Uruguay and non-Indigenous responses to Indigenous bodies within settler colonial structures. He investigates objects, agricultural practices, monumentality, and the political implications of Indigenous bodily recognition. Analysis of his 2018-2021 publications reveals consistent thematic focus on settler colonialism in Latin America, Indigenous rights frameworks, and decolonial approaches to archaeology and historical knowledge, with concentrated attention on Southern Cone nations including Uruguay and Argentina. Scientific Awards: No awards, fellowships, or medals were documented in available materials No information regarding graduate student advising, dissertation supervision, or specific research grants was provided in the source documentation. His academic activities appear centered on independent research and interdisciplinary collaboration rather than directed mentorship or externally funded projects as described. The available texts contain no references to laboratories, research centers, or formal collaborative teams associated with Professor Verdesio's work.
Zhiqiang Yu serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature at Baruch College's Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, City University of New York. With over two decades of teaching experience, he has established himself as a dedicated educator specializing in Chinese language, cinema, and civilization courses. Education: Ph.D. in Chinese, University of Washington M.A. in Asian Civilization, University of Iowa B.A. in Chinese Literature, Fudan University (Shanghai) Professor Yu's research focuses on innovative approaches to Chinese language pedagogy, with particular interest in applying economic principles and artificial intelligence to language teaching. His work bridges traditional linguistic scholarship with modern educational technology, examining how efficiency, resource allocation, and technological advancements can enhance language learning outcomes. His research spans Chinese linguistics, dialectology, cinema studies, and cultural elements in language teaching. His publication record reveals a consistent trajectory toward optimizing language instruction through systematic analysis. Recent work increasingly focuses on AI applications in language education and the economic framework of pedagogical efficiency. His scholarship demonstrates a progression from traditional linguistic analysis toward innovative teaching methodologies that incorporate modern technological and theoretical frameworks. Scientific Awards: Award of Excellent Academic Research Reviewer from Journal of International Chinese Education (2016) Graduate Teaching Fellowship from University of Washington (1993) Graduate Teaching Fellowship from University of Iowa (1989) Graduate Research Fellowship from University of Iowa (1988) Student Excellency Award from Fudan University (1984) Professor Yu has served extensively on departmental committees including as Department Assessment Coordinator and Secretary of the Asian and Asian-American Studies Committee. He has organized numerous academic events featuring prominent Chinese cultural figures and has contributed to developing Chinese language curriculum resources including online placement tests. His professional service extends to editorial work for CUNY publications and Chinese language training for the New York Police Academy. He maintains active involvement with multiple professional organizations including the American Name Society, American Oriental Society, American Society of Geolinguistics, Association for Asian Studies, and Chinese Language Teachers Association, frequently presenting at international conferences on Chinese language pedagogy.
Steven G. Kellman is a Professor of English at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where he has taught since 1976. A leading scholar in comparative literature and literary translingualism, he was UTSA's first Ashbel Smith Professor (1995-2000) and has received numerous accolades including the National Book Critics Circle Balakian Citation and the New York Society Library Award for Biography. His academic foundation includes: Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, University of California at Berkeley (1972) M.A. in Comparative Literature, University of California at Berkeley (1969) B.A. in English & General Literature, State University of New York at Binghamton (1967) Kellman's research focuses on comparative literature, modern and contemporary literature, prose fiction, literary translingualism, film, and biography. He pioneered the study of writers who create in non-native languages, examining how linguistic displacement fuels creativity and shapes identity across cultural boundaries. His work bridges literary analysis with cultural history, particularly in American literature and biography. His recent publications demonstrate sustained engagement with translingualism, pandemic-era literary interpretation, and biographical recovery of marginalized voices. Articles from 2022-2025 reveal consistent thematic threads: re-examining classic texts like Camus' The Plague through contemporary crises, analyzing translingual writing as spiritual practice, and recovering erased narratives in literary partnerships. Honors include the National Book Critics Circle Nona Balakian Citation (2006), New York Society Library Award for Biography (2006), and Gemini Ink Literary Excellence Award (2008). Additional distinctions: UTSA COLFA Researcher of the Year Award (2019-2020) McGinnis-Ritchie Award for Nonfiction (2008) San Antonio Public Library Foundation Arts and Letters Award (2005) Two UTSA President's Distinguished Achievement Awards in Research Excellence (1990-91, 2005-2006) Kellman has secured prestigious fellowships including the Fulbright Distinguished Chair at Sofia University and Harvard's John E. Sawyer Fellowship. He served four terms on the National Book Critics Circle board and edits Brill's Literary Multilingualism series, demonstrating sustained commitment to advancing literary scholarship through editorial leadership and institutional service.
Jaime Rodriguez Matos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures at California State University, Fresno, where he has been employed since 2018. His academic career includes prior roles as Lecturer at Fresno State (2016-2018) and Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan (2007-2016). Education: Ph.D., Spanish and Portuguese, Columbia University M.Phil., Spanish and Portuguese, Columbia University M.A., Spanish and Portuguese, Columbia University B.A., Spanish Language and Literature, University of New Hampshire Rodriguez Matos specializes in Latin American poetry, nihilism, infrapolitics, and temporal theory. His work interrogates the intersections of philosophy and literary form, particularly focusing on the deconstruction of time in works by José Lezama Lima, Eduardo Lalo, and Álvaro García Linera. Current research explores neo-revolutionary rhetoric and anarchic political thought in Latin America. His published and forthcoming articles address themes such as Lacanian critiques of hegemony, the ontologies of the present, and the formless in Caribbean politics. Rodriguez Matos has presented at international conferences including the Latin American Studies Association and the University of California, Irvine Humanities Commons cluster. Selected Publications: Writing of the Formless: José Lezama Lima and the End of Time (Fordham University Press, 2017)
Natalia Molina is a Distinguished Professor and Dean’s Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California, where she is a leading scholar in U.S. history, Latinx studies, immigration, race, and public health. She is Vice President and President-Elect (2028) of the Organization of American Historians and a 2020 MacArthur Fellow, recognized for her transformative work on racial formation. Her education includes a B.A. in History and Women’s Studies from UCLA, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in U.S. History from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Molina’s research centers on the interconnected histories of race, place, gender, and citizenship. She is best known for her theory of racial scripts , which explains how racial categories are constructed relationally across groups and time. Her work spans public health history, foodways, and immigrant placemaking, with a deep commitment to community-centered storytelling and public engagement. Her recent publications explore Latinx cultural identity through food, sports, and media, reflecting a shift toward personal and public narratives that connect historical scholarship with contemporary life. Her books have received numerous accolades, including a James Beard Award nomination and the PROSE Award finalist status. MacArthur Fellowship (2020) James Beard Award Media Nominee (2023) PROSE Awards Finalist (2023) Pacific Coast Branch of the AHA’s Norris & Carol Hundley Award Susanne M. Glasscock Humanities Book Prize LA Times Essential Book New York Times Best Books About California Molina is a dedicated mentor and public intellectual, having advised university diversity initiatives and served on the boards of the Huntington Library and the Library of Congress Scholars Council. She has held leadership roles at UC San Diego, including Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty Diversity and Equity. Her current research focuses on the immigrant workers who built and sustained the Huntington Library, reclaiming their overlooked contributions. She is also a Distinguished Lecturer for the Organization of American Historians and has been a fellow at the Huntington Library and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her public writing in outlets like the Los Angeles Times , Washington Post , and Inside Higher Ed demonstrates her commitment to bridging academic scholarship with broader societal conversations.
Eugene Buckley is an Associate Professor of Linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania , affiliated with the School of Arts & Sciences and the Department of Linguistics . His research focuses on formal phonology, metrical and syllable structure, and the interplay between phonology and morphology. He also explores phonetic and functional explanations in phonological theory, the representation of spoken language categories in writing systems, and specializes in Native American (Kashaya, Alsea), Ethio-Semitic (Tigrinya), and Manam linguistics. Education: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (1992) Buckley has taught courses such as Phonology I/II , Writing Systems , and Structure of Kashaya . His current research centers on Kashaya, a Native American language of northern California. Contact: gene@ling.upenn.edu | Office: 330C, 3401 Walnut Street | Office Hours: By appointment.
