Bio

My research centers on 20th and 21st century Latin American cultural studies, analyzing countercultural artistic expressions and representations of political violence across literature, film, music and comics/graphic novels. As a native Spanish and near-native Portuguese speaker, I incorporate an integrated approach to studying Latin American literatures and cultures. My published works include co-edited volumes and introductions providing critical perspectives on the seminal literary production of Colombian authors Andrés Caicedo and Evelio Rosero. I have also published numerous articles analyzing tropes of death and self-destruction in the works of Caicedo and other Latin American authors, and analyses of the independent films of Luis Ospina, Carlos Mayolo and others.

My current research examines the emergence of Hispanic/Latino comics/graphic novels in U.S. and Latin American academic and cultural contexts. This project explores cultural, racial and gender issues within the medium, amidst its growing presence in academic contexts and agency within local academic/cultural structures. Additionally, I have made notable Digital Humanities contributions, including the award-winning Latin American Comics Archive, highlighting my leadership in digitally preserving and analyzing Latin American comics. My diverse research provides in-depth, critical perspectives on modern/contemporary Latin American cultures and countercultural expressions.

Department Member Since 2006