I’m Maria Macarena Grigera, an Adjunct Lecturer in Asian Studies. My research explores identity, stigma, and cultural symbolism in contemporary East Asia, with a particular focus on tattoo culture and social taboos in Japan. I hold an M.A. in Japanese Culture and Society, where I investigated how tattooed individuals navigate shifting social boundaries shaped by both tradition and modernity. At FIU, I teach ASN 3410 Introduction to East Asia and ASN 3414 Pop Culture East Asia, guiding students in examining the complex intersections of culture, identity, and social structures across the region.
