Joanna Ruiz Méndez is a Ph.D. student in Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies at Georgetown University. She holds an M.A. in Literature, Language, and Culture from Syracuse University, an M.A. in Journalism and Digital Communication from Universidad de La Sabana, and a B.A. in Journalism from Universidad Central de Venezuela. Her research interests focus on migration and diasporas, emotionality associated with the migrant experience, Latin American literature, performance, identity, and plant studies.