Research interests include Contemporary Lusophone African, Brazilian and Portuguese Literature and Film in general, and the short story in particular.   

My current research and teaching interests embrace the short story in the Portuguese-speaking world; metaphor and poetic imagery, particularly the poetry of the Cape-Verdean poet Corsino Fortes. I frequently participate in academic symposia to present my research on Luso-Afro-Brazilian studies. My most recent publications are (co-edited): Rememorando Daniel de Sá: Escritor dos Açores e do Mundo (2016) and Trinta e Muitos Anos de Devoção: Estudos Sobre Jorge de Sena em Honra de Mécia de Sena (2016)

In addition to designing language courses that privilege the communicative approach, I also strive to develop courses that encompass my present teaching and research interests at Wellesley and MIT, through which colonialism and post-colonialism realities, literary traditions and innovations, linguistic and narrative inventiveness can be studied and help students recognize the diversity of the Portuguese-speaking world. I hope students enjoy learning these interdisciplinary topics as much as I enjoy researching and teaching them.

Whenever I am not teaching, researching or otherwise engaged in general academic affairs, I find myself slightly obsessed with Futebol.

Education

  • B.A., University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
  • M.A., University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst

Current and upcoming courses

  • Introduction to listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Portuguese. Authentic cultural readings, art, music, and films from Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor will be included. The course covers the full-year elementary language curriculum in one semester.
  • Review and expansion of all language skills and continued study of Lusophone art, music, film, and literature. Emphasis on oral and written expression and critical analysis. The course covers the full-year intermediate language curriculum in one semester.