I am originally from the Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania, a country with over 120 languages spoken. This diversity has greatly influenced my interest in languages. I speak Swahili and English fluently, have a receptive understanding of Chagga, my tribal language, and am currently learning German. Check out my story about my journey learning German here.

I am a PhD student in Second Language Studies with a focus on Applied Linguistics at the University of Mississippi. I study how people use, learn, and teach languages, with the goal of improving language education, preserving languages, and helping businesses leverage language data to make smarter, more informed decisions. 

My love for languages drives my research, where I explore how language, technology, and society intersect.

Here are some of my key research interests:

• Language use in new media

• Translanguaging and Multilingual Practices 

• Discourse Analysis 

• Technology-enhanced language learning

• Language revitalization

My most recent PhD research project explores language and framing of Instagram headlines reporting Rebecca Cheptegei’s femicide cases. Additionally, while pursuing master's degree, my thesis looked at how Tanzanians on Instagram make language choices and uncovered some fascinating linguistic patterns in online spaces. 

I’ve presented my findings at conferences like the African Languages Teachers Association (ALTA) at Indiana University, Bloomington, and the Mississippi Foreign Language Association (MFLA) at Mississippi Women’s College. 

I also teach Swahili here at the University of Mississippi. Over the years, I’ve taught various Swahili courses, from the elementary to advanced levels. Take a look at the courses I’ve taught and see what my teaching philosophy is all about here!

In addition to teaching, I’m part of the Fulbright Scholarship Committee at the University of Mississippi, where I collaborate with fellow members to review applications and provide constructive feedback to help applicants present their strongest selves. 

Outside of teaching and research, I’ve served as the Translation Editor for Anansi Helps the Bees Save the Trees (Anansi Anawasaidia Nyuki Kuokoa Miti). I’ve also worked as a graduate school application consultant, assisting students from Tanzania, Kenya, and Nigeria in crafting competitive applications for US universities.