AHA members are involved in all fields of history, with wide-ranging specializations, interests, and areas of employment. To recognize our talented and eclectic membership, AHA Today features a regular AHA Member Spotlight series.

M. M. McAllen is an adjunct professor of history at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, and has been a member since 2008.

Twitter handle: @mmmcallen

Alma maters: BA, University of Texas, 1985; MA, University of Texas at San Antonio, 2007

Fields of interest: Mexico, civil war, trans-border studies, US, Texas, and 19th-century Europe

When did you first develop an interest in history?
I developed my interest in history while growing up on my family ranch in South Texas. It has been held by our family since 1790. Also, visiting my aunt in Cuernavaca, Mexico, inspired my latest book: Maxmilian and Carlota: Europe’s Last Empire in Mexico.

What projects are you currently working on?
Civil War along the Lower Rio Grande; Texas and Mexico’s role in World War I

Have your interests evolved since graduation? If so, how?
My interests have broadened to study how political movements in Europe came to affect American history or Mexican history.

Is there an article, book, movie, blog etc. that you could recommend to fellow AHA members?
Texas: Day by Day—a blog/news alert published by the Texas State Historical Association. I loved Hedy’s Folly: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr by Richard Rhodes.

What do you value most about the history profession?
That we are constantly trying to get to the truth of the matter. That we are detectives.

Why have you continued to be a member of the AHA?
Interesting articles in your publications.

Other than history, what are you passionate about?
Relating history to the average reader. Inspiring people to know their history.

This post first appeared on AHA Today.