Micaela Portilla Research Center, office 3.2
University of the Basque Country (EHU)
Justo Vélez de Elorriaga, 1
01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz
email: nievesiglesias.r@gmail.com
Tel.: +34 945 014 452
I completed a BA in Spanish Language and Literature at the University of Oviedo, followed by an MA in Applied Linguistics at the University of Vigo. My interest in cognitive linguistics emerged while writing my undergraduate dissertation, in which I approached Trafalgar through conceptual metaphor theory and embodied cognition. I later developed an interest in quantitative methodologies, which led me to pursue further training in Data Science and Python programming.
These two strands now converge in my doctoral research, which examines how healthy ageing changes the relative contribution of sensorimotor, emotional and contextual information to meaning processing. To this end, I compare how valence, concreteness and context modulate word and sentence processing in younger and older adults using behavioural measures, pupillometry and EEG/ERP.
DOCTORAL RESEARCH PROJECT
____________________________________________________________________________
Ongoing PhD Programme in Linguistics
University of the Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU) Field of study: Arts and Humanities.
• Project title: “Age-related lexico-semantic processing of emotional words in Spanish: behavioural, eye-tracking and electrophysiological evidence”.
• Research areas: experimental psycholinguistics, emotional language, healthy ageing, concreteness and abstractness, contextual processing, eye-tracking and EEG/ERP.
• Comparative study of younger and older adults integrating behavioural, eye-tracking and electrophysiological measures.
EDUCATION
____________________________________________________________________________
2022-2024 MA in Applied Linguistics University of Vigo
2023 University Expert Diploma in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE)
National University of Distance Education (UNED)
2019-2022 BA in Spanish Language and Literature
University of Oviedo Average grade: 8.64/10.
2025 Master’s Programme in Big Data, Data Science and Data Analytics Atrium
Training focused on data analysis with Python and an introduction to machine learning. Duration: 500 hours.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
____________________________________________________________________________
12/02/2026 Scientific poster presentation
1st International Workshop on Facial and Emotional Effects on Language (FEEL), Vitoria-Gasteiz
Iglesias Rodríguez, M. N. “How Emotional Valence Shapes Lexical Access in Healthy Aging: A Multi-level Study”. Abstract included in the workshop book of abstracts.
Affiliation: University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).
TEACHING AND ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
__________________________________________________________________________
2024 Freelance Teacher of Spanish as a Foreign Language
Individual online lessons, course planning and adaptation to learners’ specific goals.
2023-2024 Teacher of Spanish as a Foreign Language
Spanish Red Cross
Spanish-language teaching for migrants and development of materials adapted to different proficiency levels.
2024 Trainer on the course “Comprehensive Reception of Migrants”
Spanish Red Cross, Pontevedra Local Branch Duration: 5 hours. Training course code: 720374.
2023 Educational Content and Natural Language Processing Reviewer (internship)
Cálamo & Cran
Linguistic review of educational content and experience with tasks related to natural language processing.
2022 Library Assistant (internship)
University of Oviedo
2019 Academic Support Tutor
Academia ARA
TECHNICAL TRAINING AND METHODOLOGICAL SKILLS
____________________________________________________________________________
2025 Python Programming Course
Atrium
• Data organisation, cleaning, transformation and visualisation.
• Use of Python for reproducible analysis and foundations of machine learning.
• Practical experience with data structures, pandas and project organisation.
2026 Introduction to R Course
Doctoral School (DOKE), UPV/EHU
• Basic use of R/RStudio, data import and introductory statistical analysis.
Skills Research and analytical tools
Python · R/RStudio · Excel · Microsoft Word and PowerPoint · Moodle · Google tools · linguistic and content review · foundations of NLP.
DOCTORAL AND TRANSFERABLE SKILLS TRAINING
____________________________________________________________________________
2026 How to direct your research towards societal impact? — Doctoral School (DOKE), UPV/EHU
2026 How to deliver a scientific presentation in English — Doctoral School (DOKE), UPV/EHU
2026 Intergenerational diversity and healthy living for older adults (30 h) — Summer course
2024 Seminar “Experimental Linguistics: Origins and Current Developments” — Association of Young Linguists. Delivered by
Carmen Varo Varo (3 June 2024).
2024 Practical E-learning Management and Methodology in Moodle
2023 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms
2023 Online, Social Media and Mobile Marketing Techniques
2022 Office Software: Business Management Applications
ADDITIONAL COURSES AND QUALIFICATIONS
____________________________________________________________________________
University qualification
University Specialisation Course in the Coordination of Leisure, Recreation and Sociocultural Activities
EUNEIZ
2018-2019 Official Youth Leisure Instructor Certificate
AIKA Leisure Training School
Total duration: 350 hours. Final result: PASS.
LANGUAGES
____________________________________________________________________________
Spanish: native · Galician: C1 · English: B2 · French: B1
