We are happy to introduce you to our very accomplished incoming class!

Nawal Bahrani

My name is Nawal Bahrani, and I come from Iran. My research focus deals with the phonetics, phonology, and typology of understudied languages of Iran, especially my native language, Khuzestani Arabic. I aim to fill the major gaps in the description of their sound systems. When I am not doing linguistics, I do weightlifting or attend group HIIT classes.

Erine-Caitlin Desir

Hey, I’m Erine-Caitlin! I am a Pop-Tart-loving, Sound of Music-singing gal from “the Big Apple”. One of my areas of interest is in African American Language (AAL).

Andrea Matticchio

I’m Andrea Matticchio (he/him). I previously studied in Padua, Italy, and Göttingen, Germany. My areas of interest are semantics and the syntax-semantics interface from theoretical and experimental perspectives. Currently, I’m dealing with topics such as presuppositions, intensional verbs, and modality. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to and playing music, reading, and playing board games.

Shaunak Phadnis

Hi! I’m Shaunak. I am from many places in India (more recently, Hyderabad). I mainly work in Semantics/Pragmatics interface but I am interested in Syntax/Semantics interface as well. Puzzles that show one:many form-meaning mapping excite me the most. Outside of Linguistics I like a lot of things – which include Philosophy, Math, Semiotics and Critical Theory. Outside of Academia I love making and listening to Music, going to shows, Comic books, Video games, and Watermelons (a lot).

Carla Spellerberg

I’m Carla (she/her) from Germany. Before coming to UMass, I studied at Goethe University Frankfurt/Main and completed my MA degree in linguistics as well as a teacher training degree for the subjects English, German, and Spanish there. My main interests are syntax, semantics, and especially the syntax-semantics interface. Some of my interests outside of linguistics include running, reading sci-fi, learning languages, and taking long walks.

Brynne Wilkinson

Hello everyone! My name is Brynne (she/her), and I am originally from Long Island, New York. My research interests are in formal semantics, specifically tense semantics, the syntax-semantics interface, and historical linguistics. Previously I attended the CUNY Graduate Center for my MA in linguistics and Binghamton University for my BA in linguistics. Some of the hobbies I enjoy in my spare time are reading, writing, baking, and cooking!