MALAS Students

Students in the MA in Latin American Studies (MALAS) program come from a wide range of educational and cultural backgrounds. To earn their MALAS degree, each student designs an individualized, interdisciplinary plan of study that draws on the social and natural sciences, the humanities, and the professional schools. Meet our current cohorts of MALAS students below!


 

Joann Almonte profile photo

Joann Almonte

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Education: Bachelor of Arts in History, Minor in Philosophy

Email: almontejoann@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Joann!


Pablo H Costas profile photo

Pablo H. Costas

Hometown: Santa Cruz, Bolivia / Gainesville, Florida

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Juridical Sciences, with additional studies in Political Communication and Education.

Email: pablohcostas@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Pablo!


Tulasi Cuadros profile photo

Tulasi Cuadros

Hometown: Cochabamba, Bolivia

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo,” certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Email: tulasicuadros@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Tulasi!


Nephtali Maribel Dzubin profile photo

Nephtali Maribel Dzubin

Hometown: Leesburg, Virginia

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Double Minor in Educational Technology and Latin American Studies

Email: ndzubin@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Nephtali!


Ramiro Figueroa Garcia profile photo

Ramiro Figueroa García

Hometown: Chone, Ecuador

Education: BA in Liberal Arts at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, with a concentration in Humanities, and minors in Creative Writing and Literature

Email: figueroa.r@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Ramiro!


Gabriella Garcia Urbay profile photo

Gabriella Garcia-Urbay

Hometown: Miami, FL

Education: English and Spanish Major at the University of Florida

Email: g.garciaurbay@ufl.edu

Learn more about Gabriella!


Lalita Garofalo profile photo

Lalita Garofalo

Hometown: Palmetto, Florida

Education: Bachelor of Science in Health Education. Specialization in Community Healyh Promotion 

Email: lgarofalo@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Lalita!


Eluney Gonzalez profile photo

Eluney González

Hometown: Gainesville, FL

Education: Bachelor of Arts in English and History, Minor in Latin American Studies

Email: gonzalezeluney@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Eluney!


Ryan Hidalgo profile photo

Ryan Hidalgo

Hometown: Gainesville, FL

Education: Bachelors of Arts: Latin American Studies with focus area in Latin America; Minor: Political Science

Email: rhidalgo@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Ryan!


Joanne Kreinbihl profile photo

Joanne Kreinbihl

Hometown: Bell, FL

Education: B.A. in Criminology, B.S. in Psychology at the University of Florida

Email: joannekreinbihl@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Joanne!


Isabella Loya profile photo

Isabella Loya

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Education: B.A. in History at the University of Florida, as well as an in progress M.A. in Museum Studies at the University of Florida

Email: isabellaloya@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Isabella!


Vitoria Leopoldina Gomes Mendes profile photo

Vitória Leopoldina Gomes Mendes

Hometown: Gainesville, Florida

Education: Currently pursuing an M.A. in Latin American Studies; Master’s in Environmental Law – Federal University of Santa Catarina; Specialist in Environmental Law; and Bachelor’s in Law (Brazil)

Email: vgomesmendes@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Vitória!


Lydia Weigel profile photo

Lydia Weigel

Hometown: Gainesville, Florida

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a minor in Latin American Studies

Email: lydiaweigel@ufl.edu 

Learn more about Lydia!


Christopher Wilson profile photo

Christopher Wilson

Hometown: Callahan, FL 

Education: M.A. International Affairs, B.A. International Studies 

Email: wilson.cl@ufl.edu

Learn more about Christopher!