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UChicago PhD | Python, Data Science, & Scientific Computing
Graham S.

5.0 (112 ratings)

567 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $350
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About Graham

Bio

I specialize in tutoring students in scientific computing, writing, and general programming. My approach is centered on efficient problem-solving, with a focus on rapid debugging in coding and fine-grained flow analysis in writing. Whether you're tackling a complex scientific computing project, structuring a compelling research statement, or learning the fundamentals of programming, I provide targeted guidance to help you achieve your goals.

My expertise is rooted in an interdisciplinary...

I specialize in tutoring students in scientific computing, writing, and general programming. My approach is centered on efficient problem-solving, with a focus on rapid debugging in coding and fine-grained flow analysis in writing. Whether you're tackling a complex scientific computing project, structuring a compelling research statement, or learning the fundamentals of programming, I provide targeted guidance to help you achieve your goals.

My expertise is rooted in an interdisciplinary background, including a PhD in Computational Neuroscience from the University of Chicago and extensive experience in coding, writing, and teaching. I've been coding for over 16 years, starting in high school, continuing through a math/CS-heavy undergraduate degree and my doctoral research. Simultaneously, I honed my writing skills through rigorous academic training and, more recently, novel-writing. I've taught students from diverse backgrounds, from computationally-minded PhD candidates to theater majors unwillingly fulfilling math requirements. This breadth of experience allows me to tailor my approach to your specific needs and learning style.

My patience, debugging speed, and expertise in logical flow allow me to provide exceptional support to my students. Learning can be challenging, especially learning programming, so I'm committed to providing a supportive and encouraging environment. In coding, I can quickly pinpoint the source of errors, allowing us to focus on learning the underlying concepts. I've found this is especially essential in AI-assisted programming. In writing, I help students develop clear and compelling arguments, ensuring their ideas are presented in a logical and persuasive manner.

If you're seeking personalized guidance, efficient problem-solving, and a supportive learning environment, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm happy to answer your questions and to discuss how my flexible and tailored approach can help you achieve your academic and professional aspirations.

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Education

University of Chicago
Mathematics
University of Chicago
PhD

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $350
  • Rate details: Please give at least eight hours’ notice to cancel a lesson. I wait 15 minutes after the scheduled start time. If you have not joined by then, you will be charged one hour.
  • Lesson cancellation: 8 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 5/18/2023

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

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Approved Subjects

Career Development

Career Development

Over the course of three months I spent 1-2 hours per day working with a friend on problems that can come up in technical interviews, such as for software engineering or quantitative finance. In particular, I've mastered "Cracking the Coding Interview" and "A Practical Guide to Quantitative Finance Interviews."
Computer Programming

Computer Programming

I help students move from following examples to writing and understanding their own programs. My teaching experience includes university programming courses, quantitative bootcamps for incoming biology PhD students, and individual help for beginners and researchers. We can work on fundamentals, trace an unfamiliar program, or break a larger project into manageable pieces. When something goes wrong, I explain how to isolate the problem and test a solution so that you can learn how to approach similar problems independently in the future. You do not need previous programming experience to get started.
Computer Science

Computer Science

My PhD was 95% coding, and before that I did 80% of a CS major in undergrad. I cannot help in systems-focused classes (e.g. networks or OS), but I'm happy to help in any coding or theory-focused class (my actual major was mathematics).
Data Science

Data Science

I spent my PhD analysing neural signals (EEG, multi-electrode array LFP). I also taught annual PhD bootcamp courses on reproducible programming. While neuroscience signals are my specialty, I'm happy to work with you on developing and testing hypotheses reproducibly on any datasets.
Data Structures

Data Structures

I've learned data structures in college and used them throughout my PhD, but my specialty is tutoring students in data structures for the purpose of technical interviews. For three months I spent an hour a day working practice problems, which was invaluable in putting the breadth of common data structures at my fingertips.
English

English

I help students turn observations about a text into a clear, well-supported interpretation. We can work on close reading, choosing evidence, developing a thesis, and organizing an essay so that each paragraph advances the argument. My approach draws on academic writing as well as my own fiction writing, with particular attention to how structure and language shape a reader’s understanding. Rather than supplying an interpretation for you, I ask questions that help you develop, test, and explain your own.
Linux

Linux

I've been using Linux as my primary OS for the past 15 years, both personally and academically (Ubuntu and Arch, mostly). My PhD was entirely coded in Linux environments, both locally on my laptops and on remote Linux clusters. I can't help you with engineering Linux (e.g. no OS classes), but I can help you program on Linux.
Machine Learning/ AI

Machine Learning/ AI

My PhD training involved numerous projects using neural networks for analysis or modeling of neuroscientific data, including deep learning models, convolutional neural networks, and generative adversarial networks. Much of my coursework involved using machine learning techniques for data analysis.
MATLAB

MATLAB

I spent the 7 years of my PhD helping lab coworkers develop MATLAB code. Additionally, I TA'd a MATLAB-centric course (Computational Approaches to Cognitive Neuroscience) and before that developed MATLAB code for several years in my undergraduate research lab.
Neuroscience

Neuroscience

My PhD involved training across a broad neuroscientific foundation, including courses in cellular neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, systems neuroscience, and cognitive neuroscience. My research focus was on theoretical and computational neuroscience, including mathematical and computational modeling of large scale neural populations (e.g. Wilson-Cowan equations).
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

All of my students have been accepted into several of their target programs using tailored personal statements. I specialize in grad program admissions, especially neuroscience, but am happy to work in any area so long as we can identify the target programs' priorities. My writing background includes writing classes in both undergrad and grad school (including the fantastic "Little Red Schoolhouse" at UChicago), and now I spend most of my time focusing on my own writing.
Python

Python

I teach Python for scientific computing, data analysis, and research, from programming fundamentals to more complex projects. My background combines a mathematics degree with a PhD in Computational Neuroscience, and I help students connect their code to the mathematical or scientific problem they are trying to solve. We can work on organizing and analyzing data with NumPy and pandas, implementing models, and systematically debugging unfamiliar code. I explain how to isolate the problem and test a solution so that you become more capable of solving the next one independently.
Thesis Writing

Thesis Writing

Having finished my own PhD thesis is perhaps my greatest qualification, but additionally I've taken several classes on writing (including UChicago's fantastic "Little Red Schoolhouse") and have spent the past several years focusing on my own writing. I've tutored students through a range of theses, including mathematical theses and computational theses.
Visual Basic

Visual Basic

I've assisted financial professionals (IB) in implementing business logic in custom VBA functions, mostly concerned with backtesting. More personally, I maintain all my business financials across multiple connected spreadsheets including custom functions for simple on-going statistics and tax estimation in custom VBA functions.
Writing

Writing

A draft can contain good ideas and still be difficult for a reader to follow. I help students identify the central argument, organize supporting evidence, and make the purpose of each paragraph clear. My background includes academic papers, grant proposals, and training in the University of Chicago’s Little Red Schoolhouse writing program. We work from the overall structure down to individual sentences, distinguishing problems that need clearer wording from those that need stronger reasoning. I explain the purpose of revisions so that you can apply the same judgment to future drafts.
C
Grammar
Java
Linear Algebra
Prealgebra
Precalculus
Probability
Proofreading
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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (112 ratings)
5 star
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4 star
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3 star
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Reviews

excellent!

He is great! Very knowledgeable and patient. Learned a great deal from him. Will recommend him to anyone who is interested in computational neuroscience and anything that is related to Python.

Jiangmei, 17 lessons with Graham

Excellent teacher!

Graham explained everything thoroughly, helped me make sense of my PsyToolkit data files, and taught me how to create a master file in Excel to use for SPSS analysis.

Jessica, 1 lesson with Graham

Thanks a bunch!

With limited information, Graham was able to provide prompt and proper assistance with my Python code. It helped me meet a deadline within the following 12 hours.

Kate, 1 lesson with Graham
Hourly Rate: $350
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