"Hi! I’m Saanika — a science tutor and current PhD student in Cancer Immunology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (GPA 3.85), and I love helping students find excitement and confidence in learning — especially when a subject feels challenging at first. I’ve always been deeply curious about biology and the sciences, and I enjoy inspiring that same curiosity in my students.

I have several years of experience tutoring and teaching across different age groups. At UCLA, I volunteered with Project Literacy, providing one-on-one support in reading, writing, history, and math for elementary, middle school, and adult learners in under-resourced communities. I also taught vocal lessons and choir classes to children ages 4–14, both in person and via Zoom, which taught me how to keep lessons engaging, patient, and adaptable to each student’s learning style. In addition, I’ve mentored undergraduate students in research settings—guiding them through new techniques, encouraging critical thinking, and helping them build confidence in their own abilities." less...