Kyler Jones

I am a second-year graduate student in the Language and Cognition program. Raised in southeast New Mexico, my community offered me rich exposure to both the language of Spanish and the culture of Christianity. During my undergrad at Oregon State University, I came to understand the bidirectionality of language and culture—that the two influence each other. My research interests center around using cognitive psychology to understand how context and culture influence the automatic mental processes involved in communication and language processing. I hope to learn how shared meaning and semantic alignment are achieved, and I am particularly interested in studying whether or not religion significantly influences differences in semantics. When not participating in research, I enjoy playing video games and doing puzzles. You may also occasionally find me bouldering or roller-skating.

Andrea García Quiñones

I am a first-year master’s student at El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies. I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, where I participated in various research projects related to psychology and neuroscience. These experiences guided my academic and professional interests. I am particularly interested in the intersections of cognition, language, identity, culture, and neuropsychology. More specifically, I hope to explore the relationships between language proficiency and identity, as well as bilingualism and biculturalism, and how these factors influence cognitive processes in bilingual and monolingual individuals. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, hiking, reading, and spending time with friends!

Maria Brennan

I am a second-year graduate student pursuing my Master’s degree in Literatures, Cultures, and Languages, with a concentration in Italian. I also did my undergrad here at UCONN and graduated in 2025. I teach Italian courses here and am always looking for new ways to grow as an educator, make learning more engaging, and create meaningful experiences for my students--I am passionate about understanding how language and culture shape the way people see the world and how we can use them to create more effective and meaningful learning experiences. My research explores the relationship between Italian language and culture and personal well-being, particularly through the concept of dolce far niente—the art of embracing the beauty of slowing down and appreciating life’s simple moments. Outside of my academic work, I love traveling and exploring new places, playing the violin, piano, and guitar, cooking (especially authentic Italian dishes), and working on creative projects such as drawing and decorating!