My career path has been diverse, reflecting my deep-seated curiosity about various professional avenues. Academically, I ventured into the realm of Hispanic Linguistics, first as a graduate student at the University of New Mexico and later at Indiana University, where I earned my Ph.D. in 2020. After graduation, I also served as a tenure-track professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. On the non-academic front, my roles have been equally varied and enriching. I have worked as a legal translator, coordinated study abroad programs, and taken on several other dynamic positions. These experiences enriched my understanding of language application in different contexts and honed my skills in multicultural communication, preparing me for my current pursuits.

Currently, I am channeling my expertise into an exciting role as a Learning Designer at Duolingo. Here, I collaborate closely with fellow learning designers, project managers, and engineers to develop engaging and educational content for our globally renowned learning app. My work involves leveraging cutting-edge generative AI technology to craft content that is not only fun and accessible but also finely tuned to different proficiency levels. Additionally, I manage a group of very talented content creators. One of my key projects is creating a specialized curriculum to teach Spanish, which allows me to connect my roots and professional expertise in a meaningful way. This role perfectly encapsulates my passion for linguistics and my commitment to making language learning enjoyable and effective for people around the world.

Looking back at my time at Indiana University, I’m really thankful for the opportunities that I found there. Beyond earning my Ph.D., I learned from top experts in the fields of linguistics and second language acquisition. These experiences were transformative, and I’m grateful for the supportive community and mentors who guided me to where I am today.