Ken Osterhoudt

Biography

Growing up, my mom always said that she was happy to have a son who loved school so much. Since I was interested in every subject, I had a hard time choosing what to major in when I started college. When I was introduced to Molecular Biology research, I was inspired to challenge myself to complete a PhD.

I earned both my B.S. and PhD from UCSC, where I researched the spliceosome using the model organism C. elegans. During graduate school, I discovered my love of teaching as I taught sections as a TA and mentored undergraduate students who volunteered to work with me in the lab. My next position was a postdoctoral role at Stanford. This job was purely research-focused, and it served as a turning point; the absence of classroom engagement made me realize that my deepest professional fulfillment comes from teaching rather than full-time lab work.

Gaining insight into the natural world through science has brought a huge amount of beauty into my life, and I work to help my students see how science can deepen our relationships with the world around us. On a more practical note, I also deeply feel the importance of performing well in high school, because I know that attending the right college can be a life-changing experience. I find that Biology and Chemistry classes provide a strong opportunity for students to sharpen their minds, and that one-on-one tutoring is the best way to take full advantage.

In my free time, I enjoy hiking to observe nature, reading a wide range of both fiction and non-fiction, and watching movies with friends.