Brendan Lin

Biography

Growing up in San Jose, I always had a fascination with how the natural world around us works. I thrived outdoors, always asking questions while crouching over tide pools or peering up at redwood trees. This innate curiosity led me to study microbiology at the University of Rochester.

During college and for some time afterwards, I worked as a researcher studying antibiotics and drug discovery. In research, I developed a tangible appreciation for life sciences beyond the textbook, and realized the importance of creative problem-solving and persistence. I’ve grown to love science even more now because of how much there remains to discover, and how perfectly imperfect biology can be.

It is immensely gratifying working with high school students, supporting them in asking questions and helping them test their theories. Youth mentorship has taught me so much that I continue to look for opportunities fully dedicated to it. Last summer, I joined Americorps as a Youth Expedition Leader in Montana and guided high school students from all backgrounds in the Rocky Mountain wilderness for lengthy stretches. Here, I further honed the confidence-building and communication skills that are the basis of my teaching philosophy. 

Because everybody learns differently, I believe in tailoring an approach to best serve each student. Science can be complex, but breaking down each concept into digestible chunks makes even the most difficult mechanisms exciting! Rote memorization just touches the surface of a subject. Instead, I believe that deep understanding is more helpful in the long-term for students. Arriving there can take many forms, like relatable analogies or diagrams on the whiteboard. 

When I’m not tutoring, you can find me outside backpacking, flyfishing, or lifting weights. Being waist-deep in a river or roasting marshmallows around a campfire never fails to bring fresh perspectives and keep me grounded. Also, “Go Bills!”