Research Interns

My name is Mekenzie Powell and I am currently a student at the University of Florida pursuing a major in linguistics with double-minors in communication sciences and disorders and disabilities in society. After I graduate in the spring of 2021, I plan to attend graduate school concentrating in either audiology or speech-language pathology. One of my vocational goals is to become a certified American Sign Language interpreter. I am from Washington State, but I was born in Gainesville while both of my parents worked at and attended the University of Florida. I am a legacy gator fan born and raised in the swamp. I enjoy western horseback riding, volleyball, painting, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family.

My project with Dr. Garner focuses on the development of prepositional collocations for Korean L2 learners of English in low and intermediate proficiency levels.

I am also the recipient of a UF University Scholars Program award.

I am Jackilyn McQuilkin, currently, a student at the University of Florida. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English and Linguistics; additionally, I am pursuing the Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Certificate.

After graduating from high school, I went to New Orleans and began working in the restaurant industry. I worked my way up to be a junior sous chef at a restaurant. However, I felt that I wanted to do something different, so I bought a one-way to León, Nicaragua. Once there, I completed a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate and secured two positions teaching English. After six months, I began to feel that I owed it to future students to become more educated as a teacher, and so returned to attend college. After completing my Associate’s Degree at St Petersburg College, I transferred to the University of Florida.

With Dr. Garner, I am doing a research project looking at the effects of study abroad on L2 development with a focus on phraseology. I also work weekends at a local Gainesville restaurant. In my spare time, I like to cook for my family and friends, spend time with my cat, and read sci-fi and fantasy novels.

My name is Amaya Gattis. I am currently a senior at the University of Florida (UF), and I'm majoring in Linguistics while also pursuing my Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) certification. I will also be completing my Florida Department of Education ESOL K-12 certification exam in February 2021. Moreover, while attending UF, I have studied Korean at the beginning level, and I plan to continue these studies while additionally learning American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish.

Once I graduate in Spring 2021, I will either continue my education by pursuing a MA or M.Ed. in TESOL, or I will go straight into the work force. Starting off, I will be teaching in the K-12 environment; however, my main objective is to go overseas, preferably Korea, to teach adult language learners. Being the daughter of two K-12 teachers, in addition to having two grandparents and an uncle who are also teachers and a professor, respectively, teaching as well as pushing toward education and growth is engrained in me. I believe that this environment has persuaded my outlook on education as well as what I am able to give back to others.

My project with Dr. Garner is centered around "Light Verb" Constructions with a focus on comparing native English speakers and Korean English Language Learners.