Anabella Martinez

Ph.D. student, Religious Studies

Research Interests: 

Anabella’s research interests lie at the intersection of religion, culture, and aesthetics as they relate to liberation, particularly within Chicanx and other minoritized contexts. Her research focuses on how material culture, beyond common sacred spaces and seemingly profane contexts, is sacred and a form of spiritual liberation.

Road to the Moody School: 

Before coming to Southern Methodist University, Anabella graduated summa cum laude with her B.S. in Child Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2022 as a proud first-generation college student. She then completed her MDiv at Baylor University in 2026. After completing her PhD, Anabella aims to become a university professor, conducting meaningful research while serving as a mentor and advocate for Chicanas within higher education.