About me

I was born and raised in the Region of Murcia, Spain, where I spent my first twenty five years. I completed my initial degree in Education at the University of Murcia, where I began to formally explore how language shapes understanding and human interaction. This interest deepened as I pursued a second degree through an international academic pathway across four countries: the United States (Millikin University, Illinois), England (Newcastle University), Canada (University of Regina), and Spain (University of Murcia).

I earned my Master’s degree at West Virginia University and later completed my PhD in Applied Linguistics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. My doctoral work focused on language acquisition, with broader implications for how individuals develop communicative competence across contexts, including those that are high stakes and institutionally mediated, such as healthcare.

I joined the California University of Science and Medicine as Assistant Professor of Medical Education and Director of the Medical Spanish Program with the understanding that I would continue advancing my training. While in this role, I pursued and completed a Master of Public Health and am now nearing completion of my Doctor of Public Health degree. This additional training has allowed me to extend my work from language and interaction to population level health outcomes and system level interventions.

In my current role, I lead the design and implementation of a longitudinal, systems based Medical Spanish curriculum embedded within the core medical education program. My work centers on preparing future physicians to deliver language concordant care through structured clinical communication, standardized patient encounters, and competency based assessment. I approach language as a structural component of patient safety, quality of care, and health equity, particularly for patients with limited English proficiency.

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, engaging in sports and outdoor activities, listening to music, and relaxing at home with my dog, Teddy.