Lo LaPorta (she/they) is an educator, researcher, storyteller, and unapologetic believer in the power of words to change the world.

Currently in the doctoral defense phase of her English Ph.D. with a concentration in Multicultural and Gender Studies at Morgan State University, Lo studies queer representation, fan communities, and digital storytelling in young adult literature and popular culture. Their research explores how stories help people make meaning, build community, and imagine new possibilities for themselves and others, especially LGBTQIA+ youth seeking belonging in a world that doesn't always make space for them.

At heart, Lo is a creative. She earned her M.A. in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and has spent her career exploring the intersection of storytelling, education, identity, and social change. Whether she's analyzing fanfiction archives, designing curriculum, facilitating workshops, or building community spaces, she is drawn to the stories people tell and the futures those stories make possible.

After spending more than a decade in public education, Lo shifted into higher education where she works in curriculum development, instructional design, faculty development, and student success. She is particularly passionate about education reform, believing that equitable curricula can transform not only what students learn, but how they understand themselves and their place in the world. Her work and scholarship have taken her to conferences across the country where she presents on queer inclusion, pop culture, gender equity, and inclusive educational practices for all students. 

Beyond the classroom, Lo serves as an LGBTQ Commissioner for Baltimore City, advocating for policies and initiatives that promote equity, visibility, and opportunity. Whether through scholarship, storytelling, education, or community organizing, she is committed to helping build a world where more people feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.