We are delighted to present a series of outstanding achievements from within the University of Florida’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies. These accomplishments, spanning various academic fields and areas of expertise, underscore the department’s commitment to excellence and its valuable contributions to our academic community. From linguistics and literature to teaching and international recognition, these achievements reflect the department’s vibrant and impactful presence within our community of scholars and educators.
- David Pharies delivered the final keynote plenary at the IX Congreso Internacional de Lingüística Hispánica (17 September – 1 October, 1923) in Leipzig, Germany. The presentation bore the title “Lo marginal, lo anómalo y lo inexplicable.” Furthermore, there is an upcoming publication authored by David Pharies and Erica Fischer-Dorantes titled “Diccionario etimológico de los prefijos de la lengua española,” which will be published in Berlin by De Gruyter.
- Luis Álvarez-Castro gave two invited lectures on Spanish author and thinker Miguel de Unamuno at the Universidad de Puerto Rico – Río Piedras, hosted by the Department of Hispanic Studies and the Seminario Federico de Onís, on October 16-17. He was also selected as the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences nominee for the 2023 UF International Educator Award in the senior faculty category.
- In exciting news, Paola Uparela has achieved two significant honors in the academic world. First, she has been elected to the executive committee of the MLA’s Renaissance and Early Modern forum. Additionally, her scholarly work has earned recognition at the 2023 LASA awards. Her article, titled “‘Yo llana estoy’ o el despliegue de una virginidad queer” (Revista de Estudios de Género y Sexualidades 48.1, 2022: 53–74), has received not one but two honorable mentions, highlighting the exceptional quality of her research and contributions to the field.
- In a recent news update, we are thrilled to announce and congratulate Grisell Santiago, a dedicated doctoral student and esteemed member of the PK Yonge faculty. Grisell received well-deserved recognition at the AATSP Florida Chapter meeting, where she was honored with her induction into the AATSPFL Hall of Fame. In addition to this prestigious accolade, she was also presented with the Xperitas Language Matters Award. This award is specifically bestowed upon Spanish teachers who have demonstrated exceptional success in encouraging their students to actively engage in speaking Spanish, thanks to their outstanding motivation and innovative teaching methods.
- The collective volume “Teaching Late-20th-Century Mexicana and Chicana Writers” has earned an honorable mention for the 2023 Teaching Literature Book Award. This publication, edited by Elizabeth Coonrod Martinez and released by the Modern Language Association in 2021, features a noteworthy essay by Emily Hind. We extend our congratulations to Emily Hind, who has graciously accepted an invitation to become a member of the UF Press Faculty Editorial Board for the term spanning from January 2024 to December 2026.
- We celebrate Enrique Muñoz-Mantas, who has received a prestigious Certificate of Outstanding Merit as part of the International Student Achievement Award selection process.
- María Laura Mecías has been recognized and celebrated for her outstanding contributions to education at the 2023 Florida Foreign Language Association Conference. She was presented with the prestigious Most Valuable Teacher Award, a testament to her dedication and excellence in teaching.
- UFIC Awards Research Abroad for Doctoral Students Grant to Daniela Núñez de Álvarez Stransky for Research in Mexico.
- Vicky Muñoz has been appointed as the new editorial assistant for the Latin American Research Review (LARR), effective January 1st, 2024. She will be working closely with the esteemed Dr. Martínez Novo. Join us in celebrating Vicky’s well-deserved success!
- Shifra Armon proudly presents her contribution to the scholarly discourse with her essay ‘Instrumental Friendship in José Camerino’s ‘El pícaro amante’,’ featured in the newly published ‘Fe/Male Friends.’ This work enriches the ‘La cuestión palpitante’ series from Iberoamericana/Vervuert, under the distinguished editorship of Claudia Gronemann and Agnieszka Komorowska. Explore the collection here.
- Elizabeth Ginway earns the spotlight in MLA’s ‘The Source’ for her insightful collaboration on a neo-Gothic novel by Brazilian author Henrique Maximiano Coelho Neto. Check out her exclusive interview for an in-depth discussion of her work.
Congratulations to all of the individuals featured in these achievements! Your dedication, hard work, and contributions to the academic community are truly commendable. Your accomplishments inspire and enrich our academic environment, and we look forward to witnessing your continued success and contributions in the future. Well done!