What degree are you working on? How long have you been studying in this program?
I've been working on a PhD degree in Linguistics since 2024.
What are your research interests and/or career goals?
My research focuses on phonetics, phonology, and sound change, with particular emphasis on Romance dialectology. I am especially interested in how fine-grained phonetic variation becomes phonologized over time, and how synchronic patterns can inform our understanding of diachronic change.
My long-term goal is to continue pursuing research and teaching in academia, with a focus on Romance linguistics and laboratory approaches to sound change.
What are you working on right now?
I just completed my first Qualifying paper on /l/-vocalization in Veneto dialects, and am working on two related submissions for publication. I am also planning the data collection for a follow-up study. In parallel, I am working on my second Qualifying paper related to Italian gemination, which I am presenting at a conference this month.
I also organize the (very fun!) Historical Linguistics research group in the Linguistics Department.
Why should someone study Linguistics/TESL at Illinois?
The Linguistics department builds intellectual growth through its broad interdisciplinary research, as well as its smaller research groups and collaboration across faculty and students. The department also has a very positive and supportive atmosphere, with a strong sense of community.
Contact: Asteph30 AT Illinois DOT edu
Published 5/4/2026