LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Dr. Pearlie Peters (left) of Lawrenceville, associate professor of English at Rider University, recently participated as a professional associate at the three-week long Asian Studies Development Program at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.

Sponsored by the University of Hawaii and the internationally-known East-West Center, the institute focused on infusing Asian studies into the undergraduate curriculum.

Dr. Peters made a presentation on Nora Okja Keller's book, Comfort Women, on the final day of the institute. She had interviewed Ms. Keller about her book while at the institute.

In addition, she has incorporated the novel in her senior-level literature course, Seminar in Black and Multi-ethnic Literature.

A member of the Rider faculty since 1990, Dr. Peters' scholarly research has centered on African-American literature, 19th century American literature, and multi-ethnic American literature.

She has particular interest in author Zora Neale Hurston. Under a Rider faculty developmental grant she was able to conduct extensive research on Hurston at the Library of Congress, especially her manuscripts and recently discovered plays. Dr. Peters has also published numerous papers on the life and works of Hurston in such publications as The Oxford Companion to African American Literature and The African American Encyclopedia.

Dr. Peters, who earned her Ph.D. at the University of Buffalo, is the recipient of two postdoctoral fellowships -- one from National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the other from the Ford Foundation. She also received a certificate of appreciation from Rider's Student Support Services Program for being a member of its quality enhancement council.