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Catalina Castillón has been appointed assistant director for the Office of Undergraduate Research, Director Kumer Das announced.

Castillón is associate professor in the Department of English and Modern Languages and director of the Modern Languages Program, in which capacity she will continue to serve.  She joined the LU Faculty in 1991 as adjunct lecturer of Spanish and was promoted to the tenure track after earning her Ph.D. at the University of Houston in 2007. Castillón also earned a Law degree from the University of Seville, Spain, an M.A. in Hispanic Literatures and Linguistics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, an M.S. in Deaf Studies/Habilitation from ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University, as well as certificates from the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Sevilla and Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass.

She was honored as the university’s Distinguished Faculty Lecturer in 2013. Her ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ honors include the University Merit Award, College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award, and two Distinguished Teaching Bonus Awards.

A member of several professional organizations, her research interests are on Baroque and Neobaroque artistic expressions, Hispanic Literature in the U.S., Globalization and Cultural Studies, Spanish Golden Age Literary Translations, and Folkloric manifestations in Galicia, Spain. She has numerous publications and presentations on these topics.

She brings to the job considerable experience relevant to undergraduate research and creative activity, having been an active mentor and adviser of multiple projects such as the Beck Fellowship and McNair scholarships. After working at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University for 25 years, she brings to the position extensive knowledge of the university and contacts across campus. She has served on several departmental, college and university committees, and proclaims herself a firm believer in ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ’s students, faculty and staff.

The Office of Undergraduate Research creates, facilitates and enhances opportunities for students interested in conducting undergraduate research. Housed in Chemistry Building, but serving undergraduates from all colleges and programs, the office allows undergraduates to make a difference in their fields and form strong mentor relationships with faculty members in their respective disciplines.