Introducing Suzanne Lye

I moved to the U.S. when I was three years old and grew up just north of Miami, Florida. I received my bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, where I studied organic chemistry and the history of the modern pharmaceutical industry. Although I fully intended to pursue a career as a scientist long term, I took time off after college to work, volunteer, and travel. During that time, I worked in the tech industry, doing product design and business development, and also volunteered at several nonprofit organizations, including at a zoo in Australia and at various educational institutions in the U.S. and China. While on a trip to Greece, I found my true calling in studying the ancient world. Upon my return to the U.S., I decided to learn ancient Greek, brush up my Latin, and figure out how to pursue a career that would allow me to explore and share my passion for ancient languages and literature. It was a long road with many twists and turns, but I eventually received my Ph.D. in Classics from the University of California, Los Angeles. I then spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, before starting my new position as an Assistant Professor at UNC.

My primary research focuses on conceptions of the Underworld and afterlife in ancient Greek literature. I have also written articles on gender and ethnicity in the ancient world and have several upcoming projects focused on ancient magic and religion. This year, I taught Greek language classes focused on Attic Greek Oratory, a Latin class on Vergil’s Aeneid and epic, and a seminar on Ancient Magic & Religion. It has been a wonderful first year here with great colleagues and amazing students, and I look forward to being a part of the exciting future at UNC Classics!