“She is extremely determined, self-directed, and persistent, a clear communicator and eager to learn. She is an excellent writer, both academically and creatively, and passionate about pursuing graduate school.” – Stephanie Batterson, lecturer

Hometown: Tempe, Arizona

Faculty mentor/advisor: Stephanie Batterson, PhD, lecturer in English, Texas A&M University (previously lecturer, business communication, Tippie College of Business)

What is your degree program and anticipated graduation date? BA in English and creative writing, May 2024

Please describe your research: With the Stanley Award for International Research, I investigated the life and poetry of the early 20th Century Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, from May to July 2023. My project featured four components: archival research, interviews with professors of literature, interviews with Argentine alumni of the UI International Writing Program, and creating English translations of Storni’s poetry. The information from my research will be used to complete my honors project in creative writing in Spring 2024.

In simple terms, why does this research matter? Despite Alfonsina Storni’s ten published poetry collections and numerous national Argentine literary awards, her life and works are barely studied beyond Argentine classrooms, and her ten poetry collections remain mostly untranslated. My research through the Stanley Award has allowed me to highlight Storni’s history and increase the accessibility of her work. As I create a recontextualized story of her life in my honors project, my project will educate readers on the life of this unrepresented Latin American female poet. In addition, the English translations of 10 of her poems will allow English-speaking audiences to access these poems for the first time.

How soon after starting at the University of Iowa were you able to participate in research? I started participating in research at the University of Iowa three years after I became an undergraduate student.

How has being involved in research made you more successful at the University of Iowa? My research has developed my skills in academic writing, archival research, and literary interviews. Receiving the Stanley Award for International Research also prepared me for the Fulbright U.S. Program application process to be an English Teaching Assistant in Uruguay.

What are your career goals and/or plans after graduation? After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan on participating in the Fulbright U.S. Program as an English Teaching Assistant in Uruguay in March 2025. Upon returning from my Fulbright fellowship, I will pursue an MFA in creative writing, followed by a PhD in global literatures with a focus on literature from South America. With these degrees, I can increase the knowledge and accessibility of literature from diverse cultures as a university professor of literature and creative writing.

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