Biography

As a second-generation immigrant who was born and raised in the Bay Area, I have straddled a few worlds, languages, and cultural gulfs since I was a young child. I was deeply impacted and supported by a few academic mentors who were important in shaping my educational and career choices. I always strive to offer the same type of support to my own students.

Achieving 2320 out of 2400 on my general SAT, back when it was graded out of 2400, and a perfect 800 score
on my SAT Biology test in high school helped me to get accepted to college and even finance my tuition through merit scholarships. I hope to pass on my successful study skills for these standardized exams and motivate students to be able to reach their full potential on the SAT and other standardized tests.

Although I spent the first eighteen years of my life in the Bay Area, I moved to Minnesota to pursue an undergraduate degree in Biology at Carleton College. I felt that my college helped plant the seed of hunger for lifelong learning early on. During my four years at Carleton, I held the position of columnist, web editor, and then copy editor of the school newspaper.

I also worked as a writing consultant in my college library’s writing center for two years, helping my peers draft and edit graduate school and scholarship applications. During this time, I learned the ability to effectively communicate one’s research thesis at three different levels: 1) the peers in your lab/your principal investigator, 2) a jargon-less, summarized version for government grant officials, and 3) to a very intelligent ten-year-old.

I have continued to strive for a high level of effective communication throughout my career, and I believe such soft skills are necessary for all students, but are often brushed aside in STEM-focused courses. I bring this focus on clear communication, time management, and organization skills to every tutoring session in hopes of developing good habits early.

After graduating from Carleton College, I spent five years conducting academic biomedical research at Brown University and at a diagnostic medical device research start-up in South San Francisco. I also earned a certificate in Biotechnology Project Management from UCSD.

While completing my graduate education, I tutored K-8, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP English Literature students at The Tutoring Center of SF. Living in various cities throughout the US and working with a myriad of students from diverse backgrounds has allowed me to realize how rewarding teaching can be. I especially enjoy seeing significant progress with a discouraged student or having students specifically request that they be placed with me.

Outside of work, I enjoy collecting and repairing vintage Tamagotchis and other collectibles, designing tattoos, backpacking in the wilderness with my partner, and building mechanical keyboards.