Denise Oyuki Castillo

(she/ella): I am a first-generation Ph.D. Candidate in Hispanic Literature. I received my B.A. from the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez in México, and my M.A. from the University of New Mexico in Hispanic Literature. I decided to study literature inspired by the oral traditions and folk tales from Chihuahua and New México shared with me by my grandparents.

Studying:

My research focuses on the Cultural Exchange between Europe and America during the Early Modern Period. I am particularly interested in Women’s Writing, Gastronomical Practices, Fashion and Material Cultural Studies in Spain, and the American Viceroyalties. Additional areas of interest include Colonial Discourses on Contemporary Literature & Hispanic Southwest.

I am also a Teaching Assistant for the Department of Spanish & Portuguese & Instructor at the Writing Center. I have taught Spanish 101, 203, 204, 226, and 311, and have been a discussion leader and grader for Spanish 223, Spanish 364 & CHICLAS 201.

Faculty Advisor: Mercedes Alcalá Galan

Awards & Honors: Tinker Nave Field Research Grant by Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2020) Tinker Nave Field Research Grant by Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2019) Summer Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship by U.S. Department of Education Academic year Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship by U.S. Department of Education (Portuguese) Latino/a Graduate and Professional Student Fellowship by Centro de la Raza at the University of New Mexico Thesis research grant by DELFIN Program; Mexican Academy of Sciences, A.C. ACTFL workshop award by the Language Institute at the University of Wisconsin- Teacher’s workshop grant by Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Teaching development award by the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Workshop travel grant by Newberry Renaissance Consortium Student research travel grant by the Graduate School at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Conference travel grant by Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Teaching Certificates

2023. Fundamentals of Online Teaching accredited by Continuing Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

2022. Heritage Language Education accredited by CARLA

Research Fellowships and Awards

2023. Teaching Development Grant

2023. Curriculum Development Award

2023. Teaching Mentors Award

2023. Teaching Excellence Award

2023 & 2022. Honored Instructor

2022. Student Research Award

2022. Dissertation Write Up

2019 & 2020. Tinker Nave Field Research Grant

2019. Summer Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (Portuguese)