"I am a college-level biology instructor with a Master’s in Biology and a Graduate Certificate in Computational Life Sciences from Arizona State University (4.33 GPA) and a B.S. in Plant Biology from UC Davis, where I graduated with honors.

At American River College, I taught BIOL 400 – General Biology for Science Majors, covering cell biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology in both lecture and laboratory settings. I also served as an instructional assistant and tutor for BIOL 410 – Principles of Botany, focused on plant anatomy, physiology, reproduction, ecology, and evolution, and BIOL 415 – Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity, Evolution, and Ecology, which examines evolutionary mechanisms, phylogenetics, organismal diversity, and the interactions between organisms and their environments. Students who regularly attended my tutoring sessions consistently outperformed their peers, and many have told me my clear explanations and approachable style made biology enjoyable and manageable.

My graduate research examined the effects of sex chromosomes on cancer development. I wrote code to analyze gene expression from over 1,000 cancer cell lines to determine sex chromosome complements, helping annotate the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia. This experience allows me to integrate real-world research examples and data analysis skills into tutoring sessions when relevant.

Before teaching, I served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a helicopter rescue crewman and avionics technician, and worked as an animal cruelty investigator. I also teach primitive skills to community organizations and serve as a merit badge counselor for the Scouts. These experiences make me adaptable, patient, and able to connect with students from many backgrounds. Whether you’re preparing for AP Biology, starting college biology, or strengthening your study skills, I’ll help you build the understanding and confidence to succeed." less...