I was one of those kids who asked a million questions. It was not enough for me to just be outside. I wanted to understand why the sky is blue, how come fish could breathe underwater, why mixing ingredients makes a cake. This curiosity directed me to take every science class my high school offered to learn as much about the world around me as possible.

I grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C. and attended the University of Maryland, College Park, as an undergraduate. There, I double majored in chemistry and general biological sciences to earn dual bachelor’s degrees cum laude. The experience of studying both subjects and seeing how they are so closely intertwined motivated me to continue my education to ultimately earn a Ph.D. in chemistry with a focus on chemical biology from the University of Southern California. Graduate school not only trained me to be a more well-rounded scientist, but also afforded me me skills in perseverance, patience, and creativity. This was the first time that I was not just learning about what had already been observed, but actively discovering new things myself.

Beginning in high school, I realized that a love of science and math does not come as naturally to all students. This motivated me to begin tutoring my peers to make traditionally challenging subjects more accessible. I have continued tutoring throughout the years since I graduated from high school. I have had the opportunity to work with students of all levels, ranging from elementary school, where the focus centered around study skills and homework help, through college as a teaching assistant. In all cases, my philosophy for teaching is the same—all students can be successful in any subject. I cater my lessons and teaching style to meet my students where they are and foster a judgment-free zone. All my tutoring sessions heavily focus on how to use the skills and knowledge we have to approach new problems so that students are prepared for anything that comes their way.

When I am not tutoring, I enjoy playing sports with my friends, refurbishing old furniture, and honing in my cooking skills.