Prof. Xiomara Cervantes-Gómez's doctoral dissertation, “México Necrótico: Queer Readings of the Politics of Death” was awarded the 2019 Latin American Studies Association  (LASA) Mexico Section Best Dissertation Award. The  Latin American Studies Association is the largest professional Association in the world for individuals and institutions engaged in the study of Latin America. His current book project, entitled, A Body Exposed: The Aesthetics of Sex, Death, and Mexicanness, derives from this award winning dissertation.