Graduate Students

Kayla J. Aceves

I am a first-gen student from Calexico, a small agricultural town that is the sister city of Mexicali, Baja California. My B.A. is in philosophy with a minor in bioethics (UCSD). After working at a fertility clinic as a case manager for surrogate mothers, who were mostly Latinas, I am very interested in how race and migration shape the different forms of labor available to women here on the US-Mexico border. Since starting the LAS program I have become more interested in Latinx/Chicanx theater as a form of cultural resistance.

Research Interest: Mexican philosophy, critical philosophy of race, Marxist theory, Latinx & Feminist Epistemologies, US-Mexico Border Migration and Mass Detention, Love and Aesthetics (especially film).

Hometown: Calexico, CA

Email: kjaceves@ucsd.edu

Maria Alcazar Pedroza

I graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor's in Sociology and a double minor in Latin American Studies and Religious Studies. I grew up in San Diego and moved here at the age of seven from Michoacan, Mexico. I am interested in expanding my understanding of the immigration system in the United States through a historical lens that centers marginalized voices.

Research Interest: Immigration policy regarding the border crisis, asylum seekers, detention centers, DACA, decolonial theory, and border relations.

Hometown: Michoacan, Mexico

Email: malcazarpedroza@ucsd.edu

Michael Aldas

I graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a BA in History and University of Louisville with an MA in Higher Education Administration. I am an active duty Army officer and was selected to be a Spanish instructor at the United States Military Academy.

Research Interest: Linguistics of Spanish throughout the US and Latin America.

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Email: mialdas@ucsd.edu

Cristian N. Aquino

I grew up in Mid City, Los Angeles, California. I was raised by Oaxacan parents of Zapotec origin. I completed my undergraduate degree at UC Santa Barbara where I double majored in History and Latin American & Iberian Studies. I was an Engaging Humanities Fellow and an editor for the Undergraduate Journal of History. After the completion of my undergraduate degree, I spent time in the legal field in LA. I worked in employment, social security disability, and personal injury law. At UCSD and LAS, I hope to explore research concerning labor, legal, and journalistic practices in 19th and early 20th century Southern Mexico.Outside of academics, I enjoyed traveling throughout CA and photographing what I see.

Research Interest: Historiography of Latin America; Exploration of Visual Mediums as Cultural Artifacts; Transnational Migration of Indigenous Populations

Hometown: Mid City, Los Angeles, CA

Email: craquino@ucsd.edu

Gabriel Bonilla

(He/Him)

I am a first-year Latin American Studies MA student who recently graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a BA in International Affairs/Political Science. I love the interdisciplinary approach to Latin American Studies and plan to use it as a foundation for a Ph.D., most likely, in economics.

Research Interest: International trade, international monetary theory, sustainability, political economy, cultural anthropology, gender studies, and decolonial thought

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Email: gbonilla@ucsd.edu

Lourdes Carmona

Lourdes is currently in her second year of the Latin American Studies program at UCSD, having graduated summa cum laude from California State University, San Marcos, with double majors in Social Sciences and Spanish. Hailing from Yecapixtla, Morelos, and México City, and now calling San Diego home, Lourdes brings a rich tapestry of diverse experiences to her academic pursuits, actively challenging and questioning the structures of knowledge and power imposed by colonialism through her research.

Research Interest: Her research focuses on exploring the intricate narratives surrounding Malintzin, drawing from oral histories to shed light on the often overlooked stories of indigenous communities, curanderas/os, and the role of food as a tool for decolonization. She utilizes Zine praxis to challenge and question the structures of knowledge and power imposed by colonialism.

Hometown: Yecapixtla, Morelos, México City, and San Diego, California

Email: ecarmona@ucsd.edu

Juliana Diaz

Juliana is a graduate student in the Latin American Studies program with a concentration in International Migration.

Prior to pursuing my graduate studies in San Diego, I graduated from the University of Southern California with my Bachelors in Sociology (minor in Spanish). As an undergraduate, I came across a Sociology course in my second year that focused on the Mexican immigrant experience, in which our discussions focused on examining the effects of global inequality, as well as legal status, language, and gender (among additional factors) that serve in distinguishing the experiences of Mexican immigrant populations in the U.S. Here, it was made privy to me to the possibility of pursuing studies centered on migration & immigration. This newfound revelation provided the impetus and encouragement that led me to Oaxaca, México in my third year to participate in a study abroad program focused on migration (both from and through México), borders (U.S-México/México-Guatemala), and transnational communities.

These experiences, along with my identity as a first-generation college student whose family's story is shaped by migration and immigration, have had a nuanced impact on my personal and academic interests.

Research Interest: International Migration, Transnational Identities, Transborder Mobility, U.S-México Border, Transfronterizx community (in the Tijuana/San Diego Region), Social Networks, Latin America

Hometown: Santa Ana, California

Nelly Gomez

Research Interest: International Migration, Latin American Diaspora, and History.

Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Email: ngomezam@ucsd.edu

Anayeli Hernandez

(she/her/ella)

Anayeli Hernandez is a first-generation Latina and a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. Coming from a mixed-status family, at a young age, she experienced the effects of immigration policies on her family and those alike. She draws inspiration and motivation from her parents’ struggles which greatly influenced her decision to pursue higher education as a tribute to her parents’ sacrifices. Yet, she also found meaning in advocacy and community work with a variety of underserved and vulnerable populations. She recently graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Long Beach with her B. A. in International Studies and a minor in Translation Studies. There, she completed and presented research on her work about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected asylum seekers living in Costa Rica. Due to that and a family situation, she decided to hone in on researching how parental deportation affects first-generation Latinx students, family dynamics, and their trajectory into higher education. She hopes use a community-based research approach during her M.A. and eventually work as a professor or for a non-profit. A fun fact about her is that she speaks a smidgen of Italian!

Research Interest: Immigration, First-generation Latinx students, Parental deportation, Mexico-U.S. border, Mixed-status families, Family dynamics, Higher education, Ethnicity and Race.

Hometown: Oceanside, California

Email: anh047@ucsd.edu

Amci Hernandez

Amci is a first-generation student, born and raised in San Diego in the neighborhood of Barrio Logan. She obtained her B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Social Inequality at the University of California San Diego.

Research Interest: Feminism, Gender, Sexuality and Motherhood. Cultural Traditions, Critical Theory, Settler Colonialism, Indigenous Spirituality Practices; Interdisciplinary Studies, Mexican History, Oral History.

Hometown: San Diego, California

Email: amh012@ucsd.edu

Ruby Johnston

(she/her/hers)

I graduated early from SDSU in December 2022 with a BS in Political Science, and two minors in Spanish and Latin American Studies. I am originally from Santa Cruz California, and I have lived in San Diego for the last 4 years. I have spent the last couple years volunteering with various organizations to assist Central American asylum seekers in Tijuana and San Diego to connect with legal, medical, and other basic services. Over the last two years, I have dedicated myself to my work at the International Rescue Committee in the refugee resettlement department at the El Cajon office, managing client cases from mostly Middle-Eastern and African countries.

Research Interest: My research interests surround the idea of finding the most efficient ways of involving domestic and international communities to assist the immigrant and asylum seeker population. I am passionate about combating the exploitation of immigrant lives within the borderlands and addressing the permanent situation which has become the so-called "border crisis". I hope to study the ways in which we can protect indigenous families and communities effectively, and also how to best address the gender and sexual orientation based violence that many immigrants and asylum seekers experience while traveling north to reach the US southern border.

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA

Email: rmjohnston@ucsd.edu

Riley (Red) Klug

(they/them & she/her)

I am a first generation graduate student from New Martinsville, West Virginia. I received my BA in both Art History and Anthropology with minors in History, Native American Studies, and Political Science from West Virginia University in 2024. I aim to focus my research on women’s movements in South America, looking mainly at Argentina’s Ni Una Menos movement and their successes in furthering women’s rights in the country. I would like to expand my research further to encompass other women’s movements in the Southern Cone, with a focus on contentious politics and social mobilization.

Research Interest: Women’s rights; Argentina; feminist theory; abortion, post abortive, and maternity care; gender studies; LGBTQ+ rights; feminist and queer film, performance art, and literature; contentious politics; art history, theory, and production.

Hometown: New Martinsville, WV

Email: riklug@ucsd.edu

Fabian Mendoza

I am a first-generation graduate student in the LAS program who graduated recently from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in English. Hailing originally from Santa Ana, California, I am interested in the important role that language and academia play in the production of knowledge in service to Latin American communities, social justice advocacy, and in finding remediating alternatives to the open wound produced by colonialism and globalization.

Research Interest: Chicano/a/x subjective fragmentation, ego psychology, the formation of Latin America in the 20th century, decolonial thought, immigration, and more!

Hometown: Santa Ana, CA

Email: famendoza@ucsd.edu

Yael M V Rangel

(He/Him/His)

I was born in California, but lived in Michoacán, Mexico up until the age of 12. I moved around a bit, but have always tried to return to México whenever possible. I had four transformative years at UCSD studying Spanish Literature and Clinical Psychology. My years, through being so close to the border, there developed my interest in border culture and lifestyle. After graduating, I have spent two years mostly working with children.

Research interest: Cross-border relations, cross-border lifestyle, Mexican-American identity

Hometown: Morelia, Michoacán

Email: ymvargas@ucsd.edu

Luis Ramirez

(He/Him/His)

I am a first year masters student who previously attended UCSD for a bachelors in Spanish Literature. I like the multifaceted approach that the Latin American Studies program has as it allows for a flexibility of multiple subjects in one study. Having grown up in a primarily catholic household, I have been interested from a young age in the aesthetic and religious fanaticism that Latin America has with the idea of virginal saints. Other interests I have include the study of the mother as an evil being and the representation of it in popular culture. In my spare time I like to do clothing alterations and sew.

Research interest: Monstrous Maternities, Catholic Iconography, Marianismo, Southern Cone dictatorships

Hometown: Huntington Park

Email: l1ramire@ucsd.edu

Samantha R. Sotomayor

(they/them/elle)

Sam Sotomayor, born and raised in Ceres, California, developed a deep passion for theatre from a young age. Their love for the stage was ignited by their grandfather, who regularly took them to experience a diverse array of plays and musicals. Building upon this foundation, Sam's journey in the world of theatre led them to San Francisco State University, where in 2020, they earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts, specializing in Performance. Here, they discovered that theater encompasses more than just Greek plays and Shakespearean tragedies. Through UCSD, their goal is to pursue a doctorate and teach Latin/Mesoamerican plays and performance styles. By leveraging the knowledge gained from their academic journey, Sam envisions a future where they can share their passion for theatre, championing the narratives and traditions that resonate with their heritage.

Research Interest: Theatre beginning with Mesoamerican storytelling to modern times with Latin theatre.

Hometown: Ceres, California

Email: s1sotomayor@ucsd.edu

Lucas Taglia

Lucas is a first year graduate student in the LAS program. He earned a BA from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, having studied Political Science and Spanish. He grew up in Madison, WI, and has lived and studied in Buenos Aires (2016-2017) and Milwaukee (2018-2022).

Research Interest: Politics, society, history, Southern Cone, 20th Century, Cold War, political identity, international relations, race and ethnicity, cultural anthropology, authoritarian regimes.

Hometown: Madison, WI

Email: ltaglia@ucsd.edu

Damian Valenzuela

My name is Damian Valenzuela and I am a first-year, first-generation graduate student in the LAS program. I have recently graduated from CSULB with a B.A. in History with a concentration in Latin America. Born and raised in Santa Ana, California, my experience growing up in a Hispanic populated community with immigrant parents has shaped my desire to further understand the relations between US and Latin American histories. My undergraduate research at CSULB proved beneficial as it allowed me to explore theoretical frameworks and historical methodologies in Latin American and Mexican history in particular. I look forward to broadening my understanding of Latin American history through the interdisciplinary approach that the LAS program at UCSD has to offer.

Research Interest: Modern Latin American History, Revolutions, Social Movements, Decolonial Thought, Settler Colonialism, US-Mexican Borderlands, Race and Class, and Immigration.

Hometown: Santa Ana, California

Email: d3valenzuela@ucsd.edu

Karo Valerio

Research Interest: Decolonial Restorative Literature, Migration and Dislocation, Afro-Carribean Diaspora, Critical Race Theory, Post-colonial Feminism.

Hometown: Newark, New Jersey and Nagua, Dominican Republic

Email: kavaleri@ucsd.edu

Sophia Veran

(She/her/hers)

Sophia Veran is a first year graduate student in the LAS program and graduated from UCSD with a B.A. in History and a minor in Literatures of the World. She looks forward to researching the relationships between gender expression, literature, and political motives within Latin American societies. As well as being a graduate student in the LAS program, she will be a TA in the Making of the Modern World Writing Program in ERC for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Research Interest: Liminality, Gender Expression, Social Anthropology, Literature as a Political Tool, Storytelling
Culture, the Mythologization of the Ideal Woman in Medieval Iberia and Latin America, Social Entanglement

Hometown: Concord, California

Email: sveransa@ucsd.edu

Eden Wiggins

Eden Wiggins is a first-year student in the MA Latin American studies program. Eden grew up in Joppa, Maryland, and was privy to diverse influences from migrants from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. She graduated from the Illustrious Claflin University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Spanish. Eden is a lover of people, and culture and global diversity has always been a value that has been instilled in her since childhood. Eden’s interests are multidisciplinary and all driven by her love of learning and advocacy. Eden is also a performer who enjoys acting and singing.

Research Interest: Migration, Race/Ethnicity in Latin America, Educational Attainment Gaps, Intersection of the Latin and Black Diasporas.

Hometown: Joppa, MD

Email: edwiggins@ucsd.edu