Current Officers

President - Andrés Obando-Taborda

Andrés M. Obando-Taborda is a PhD candidate in Spanish and Latin American Literature. His research interests include Gender, Trans and Queer theories, Migration studies, as well as Languages for the Professions, Digital Humanities and Curriculum Design. In particular, he is interested in looking at the dynamics between body and identity in exile represented in queer Hispanic and Latin American Literature from the 20^th century to the present.

Treasurer - Yi-Fang Cheng

Yi-Fang Cheng is a PhD candidate in Linguistics. Broadly, her research examines how bilingual speakers’ acoustic patterns shift as they switch between languages. She particularly focuses on the temporal dynamics of cross-linguistic phonetic interference in code-switching.

Akari Osumi is a PhD student in Japanese Linguistics and Pedagogy and MSEd student in Learning Design and Technology. Her research focuses on computer-assisted and AI-enhanced language learning, with emphasis on multimodal/ automated feedback and evaluation.

Symposium Co-Chair - Diana Torres Arias

Diana Torres Arias is a second-year PhD candidate in Comparative Literature and a recipient of the Ross Fellowship. Her research engages Disability Studies, Ecocriticism, Posthumanism, Crip Technoscience, Queer and Crip Theory, and the Baroque, alongside interests in Languages for the Professions and Digital Humanities. Her work explores the intersections of embodiments, aesthetics, and technology across literary, visual, auditory, and cultural texts. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys caring for her plants and attending concerts.

Secretary/Newsletter Chair - Mirei Uchida

Mirei Uchida is a first-year PhD student in the Japanese Pedagogy program. She earned her master’s degree in the same program at Purdue University. Her research focuses on developing Japanese language learners’ intercultural competence through Japanese language and culture courses, virtual exchange, and participation in study abroad programs.

Workshop Chair - Marisa English

Marisa J. English is a fourth-year Comparative Literature PhD candidate, and her dissertation examines identity construction, disguise, and transformation in 13^th and 14^th century French and English literature. They also received their M.A in English from Purdue. Her additional research interests include queer theory, gender performance, and cross-dressing.

Webmaster/Social Chair - Natsumi Suzuki

Natsumi Suzuki is a second-year master’s student in the Japanese Pedagogy program. Her research focuses on language and culture maintenance and identity development among Japanese heritage language speakers, as well as language education for children from international and immigrant backgrounds.

2020-2021 Officers

2019-2020 Officers

2018-2019 Officers