Welcome to the Spanish Heritage Language Research LAB at the University of Florida!!

The SHL research Lab is an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to exploring questions related to Spanish as a heritage language (and its speakers) through different approaches and methods.  Some of our current research projects include:
  • Epiphenomenal effects of SHL teaching/learning
  • Heritage language anxiety
  • The relationship between SHL teaching/learning and identity development in the context of the US
  • Spanish heritage language acquisition
  • Best practices in SHL teaching​
  • Linguistic aggressions and normativity
  • Raciolinguistics
The SHL research lab, located on the first floor of Dauer Hall, is heavily invested in the academic and professional development of students of all stages. Undergraduates and graduate students alike are integral to the work that we do.
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Meet the current members of the Lab:
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Daniela Nuñez de Alvarez Stransky is a third year PhD student of Hispanic Linguistics. Her academic interests include formal and applied approaches to heritage language acquisition, teaching, and learning.
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Gabriela D. Rivera Marín is a third-year doctoral student of Hispanic Linguistics. She holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature, a B.A. in Linguistics & Communication from the University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras, and an M.A. in Spanish (Linguistics) from the University of Florida. Her current research interests include Spanish as a heritage language, sociolinguistics, raciolinguistics, and discourse analysis.
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Diana Velázquez-López is a fourth-year PhD student in Hispanic Linguistics. She has a B.A. in English Studies from The University of Cádiz, and a M.A. in Hispanic Linguistics from The University of Florida. Her main research interests include second and heritage language acquisition, phonetics and phonology, and computer assisted language learning.
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​Marielena Romagosa is a fourth year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish, with a minor in Latin American Studies. She is interested in bilingualism and heritage language research, as well as international relations between Latin America and the United States.
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Marina Cuartero is a fourth-year PhD candidate of Hispanic Linguistics. She has a B.A. in Translation Studies from the University of Alcala de Henares, and a M.A. in Spanish from Auburn University. Her main research interests include heritage language acquisition and pedagogy, language contact, variation and indigenous languages (Kichwa). Her hobbies are playing viola, doing yoga, and cycling.
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Jade Sierra is a second year MA student of Hispanic Linguistics.
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Patrick Grey is a third-year undergraduate student studying History and Spanish, with a minor in Latin American Studies. His academic interests include raciolinguistics and heritage language learning.
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Sela Iverson is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in International Studies and Spanish Linguistics and Literature. She is interested in raciolinguistics and second language and heritage language acquisition.
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  • Daniella Conde is a fourth year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Spanish. She is interested in heritage language research, specifically regarding the heritage speaker community in Miami, FL.
I am very proud of ALL of my former students. After their graduation, they have all gone to do great things. See where some of the Lab alumni have gone for their next academic adventure:

Former PhD students
  • Leire Echevarría, PhD, 2022 (co-chair); Accepted tenure track position at Maryville College
  • Paola Guerrero, PhD, 2021; Accepted tenure track position at Texas Tech University
  • Josh Prada, PhD, 2018; Accepted tenure track position at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis

Former MA students
  • Alejandro Acero Ayuda  (MA, 2021); Went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oregon
  • Crispin A. Beyogle (MA, 2021); Went on to pursue graduate studies at Georgetown University
  • Noah Verboon (MA, 2021); Accepted Lecturer position at Texas Tech University

Former BA students
  •  María Domínguez (BA, 2021); Went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of New Mexico

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me directly, dpascual@ufl.edu
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