She received her PhD in Hispanic Literature from Cornell University in 2001. Her research interests are late 20th century Mexican and Chicano literature with a focus on women’s studies and cultural studies. She coauthored Reframing Modern Latin America (University of Texas Press 2007) and has written articles on Mexican and Latino Literature. Most recently she coauthored the chapter on Latin American Literature in the fourth edition of Understanding Contemporary Latin America (Lynne Rienner Publishers 2011). She enjoys introducing students to Chicana/o literature in her Crossing Borders/Rites of Passage First Year Writing Seminar.