Professor Cilano’s research focuses on Pakistani literature as well as terrorism and literature. She is the lead Principal Investigator on a $1 million U.S. Department of State University Partnerships grant to link UNCW with the International Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan.

She’s also a scholar of post-colonial and South Asian literature and served as coordinator of UNCW’s Postcolonial Studies minor. An accomplished writer, Cilano has authored three books, eight book chapters, and six journal articles. She’s also an editor of a collection of essays and has presented many conference papers.