Issue 28

Student Spotlight

Micaela Austria

Senior, dual major: BA Languages & Cultures- ASL/English Interpretation and BS honors Sciences & the Humanities, 2023

MAs a student in the Texas Tech University Honors College, I had the opportunity to write an honors thesis on any topic of my choice. Though the process was long and challenging, I learned a lot about the process of research and learned skills that I will be able to use in any future work I pursue.

My topic, “Adding Sand to the Hourglass: A Scoping Review Examining the Interplay of Bilingualism and Cognitive Reserve in Persons with Dementia”, was the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and language, specifically the role of bilingualism in cognitive reserve and possible delayed onset. I wanted to pursue research that merged both of my passions together: science and language. I am a pre-med student with aspirations of becoming an OBGYN. However, I also have a love for language learning, as an active member in the Deaf community with hopes to obtain my certification in ASL interpreting this year, as well as a study abroad alumna to France. A research question, especially one that is encouraged to be designed by the researcher, must be one of true interest, and for me, this was a no-brainer.

Aside from my studies, I grew up in a bilingual household. My parents were born and raised in the Philippines and moved to America as young adults. They spoke both their native language and English around the house. My grandparents on my mother's side both suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and thus sparked my interest in this diagnosis. My paper is not only a contribution to science and language but serves as a way for me to honor my bilingual grandparents, both of whom I greatly admire.

Faculty Book Publications