Who We Are
LCLC Staff
Elizabeth Dolly Weber, Ph.D has been directing the LCLC since 2010. In addition to working with faculty and graduate students to help find the appropriate technology for each situation, her particular interest is in projects that provide opportunities for student choice, creativity, and collaboration in and beyond the classroom: mapping for language, literature,and culture classes; wikis for writing and note-taking; blogs to foster interest and engagement. She is also Language Program Director for the French Basic Language Program in the Department of French and Francophone Studies.
Brian Zdancewicz (LCLC Program Assistant) completed an MA in Polish, Russian, and Central and Eastern European Studies in Spring 2020, and worked on a PhD with UIC’s Department of Polish, Russian, and Lithuanian Studies (PRLS) from then until Spring 2025. Academically and intellectually, Brian is interested in media analysis, socio- and historical linguistics, metaphysics, musicology, semantics and semiotics, “continental” philosophy, and experimental art. Brian also spends time drawing, making music, watching American football (Go Birds), and listening to podcasts.
Cheyenne Otto (LCLC Program Assistant) obtained her MA in Germanic Studies from UIC in Spring 2025, as well as a BA in History in Fall 2022. Her research interests include imperialism, the creation of the self, and the presentation of power in media. Outside of academia, she can be found drawing, playing video games, and discussing media with her friends.
Nate Cook (LCLC Research Assistant) is a PhD Candidate in Hispanic Studies. Previously, Nate completed a BS/BA in Psychology and Spanish as well as a MA in Spanish at Florida State University. His current research interests range broadly from bilingualism, emotional processing, language acquisition, social cognition, and Natural Language Processing. Outside of school, Nate enjoys getting outside to play sports, take in the Lake Michigan breeze, and explore Chicago’s many cool neighborhoods.
Patrick Cook-White (LCLC Research Assistant) is a PhD Candidate in Germanic Studies. Patrick previously completed a BA in Political Science, Sociology, and History at the University of Leipzig, Germany, and subsequently an MA in Political Science and Sociology. Patrick studied in Dresden, Germany and Lisbon, Portugal as well.
His current research focuses on the economic function of the literary figure of the “gypsy” in 19th century German-language literature, and draws on methodologies from Economics, Psychoanalysis, and Political Theory, among others. Aside from academia, Patrick is busy being a father, husband, record collector, passionate cook, and traveler.
Sam Wadas (LCLC Research Assistant) is a MA student in Hispanic Studies. Previously, Sam completed a BS/BA in Aeronautical Engineering Technology and Spanish at Purdue University. Her current research interests focus on second and third language acquisition as well as phonology and tones. Outside of academia, Sam enjoys reading (fantasy and anything fiction), walking with her dog, and crocheting.
Ekaterina (Kate) Petrenko (LCLC Research Assistant) is a PhD Candidate in Polish, Russian, and Central and Eastern European Studies. Previously, Kate completed an MA in Polish, Russian, and Central and Eastern European studies at UIC and a BA in History in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her current research interests are the medical humanities and media studies in the Late-Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia context. Outside of academia, Kate enjoys learning and practicing new languages, playing board games, and spending time with friends.