Bunton-Waller Scholar’s love of Spanish guides research and service

UNIVERSITY, PARK, Pa. — Growing up in Chicago, Christina Ellis was introduced to the Spanish language through friends, neighbors and family members who shared traditions, celebrations and cultural experiences with her.

Now a fourth-year integrative science and Spanish dual major and Bunton-Waller Scholar, Ellis has found ways to combine her passion for language with her interests in science and medicine.

Her research journey began during her first year in the Brain Tracking Lab led by Distinguished Professor of Spanish, Linguistics and Psychology Paola "Giuli" Dussias. There, Ellis tracked eye movements and conducted behavioral testing to better understand how people process and predict language while learning a second language.

“It was very student-focused,” Ellis said. “I was able to work directly with participants and gain hands-on experience.”

After a year in the lab, Ellis was selected by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) fellowship program. The program, housed in the Center for Language Science in the College of the Liberal Arts, provides opportunities for linguistics students to conduct international research.

Ellis spent eight weeks in Granada, Spain, conducting research while earning academic credit and attending seminars and lab meetings at the University of Granada.

“The experience lit up my world because I’ve always dreamed of going to Spain,” she said.

While abroad, Ellis also recruited research participants and immersed herself in Spanish-speaking environments, dramatically strengthening her language skills.

After returning to Penn State, she decided to change her minor in Spanish to a second major to complement her primary degree in integrative science from the Eberly College of Science.

Ellis also pursued opportunities to connect education with community engagement.

Through the College of Education’s D.C. Social Justice Fellowship, she spent a spring semester learning to develop a social justice curriculum before traveling to Washington, D.C., where she and fellow students taught those lessons in high schools. Supported by Ashley Patterson, assistant professor of languages and literacies, and Efraín Marimóm, associate teaching professor of education, Ellis now volunteers as a mentor for students currently participating in the program.

She said the Bunton-Waller Program has also played an important role in her Penn State experience.

“Having a cohort of students who are like-minded, science-focused and wanting to pursue higher education — whether that be medicine, industry or research — has drastically improved my time here,” Ellis said.

Beyond academics, Ellis has pursued interests in the arts and public dialogue.

She is a member of the No Refund Theatre, where she serves on the executive board as diversity and outreach chair.

Ellis also co-authored the book “Ban This: How One School Fought Book Bans and How You Can Too,” published in September by Learners Publishing. She and five co-authors wrote the book after organizing peaceful demonstrations and conversations in response to book bans in their community.

The book shares their experiences and offers guidance for communities interested in advocating for access to literature.

Ellis said writing the book allowed her to enhance her multitasking skills and strengthened her confidence in sharing her opinions and ideas.

“People do want to hear from you no matter who you are, what you are or what age you are,” she said.

Reflecting on her time at Penn State, Ellis said the experiences she pursued across research, service and advocacy helped her see how her interests fit together.

“Penn State showed me how everything I care about can connect,” Ellis said. “Language, science, advocacy and community all play a role in how we care for people. My experiences here helped me see the kind of doctor — and the kind of person — I want to become.”

After graduation, Ellis plans to combine her Spanish studies with her science background as she pursues a career in medicine. She said she hopes to become a bilingual obstetrician-gynecologist, helping expand access to care for Spanish-speaking patients.