Elite Biology Tutor | 20+ Years of Proven Results

Dr. Tyler Z.

My educational background is rooted in biology at every level. I hold a B.S. in Ecology from UC San Diego, an M.S. in Zoology from Colorado State University, and a PhD in Ecology from UC Irvine. My research and coursework have given me deep expertise in general biology, genetics, cell and molecular biology, ecology, evolution, and biostatistics. This strong foundation, along with my ongoing work as a professor and published scientist, enables me to teach high school and college concepts clearly and with current, real-world examples.
For the past eighteen years I have taught biology in diverse settings. I am currently an Assistant Professor of Biology at a liberal arts university in Southern California, where I teach majors and non-majors and mentor senior research projects. Previously, I spent seven years teaching AP Biology, Accelerated Biology, and standard Biology at a top private school in Newport Beach; my AP students consistently earned 4s and 5s. Prior to that, I have taught high school biology in Taiwan for 3 years. Across classroom, small-group, and one-on-one formats, I have successfully worked with thousands of students aged 13–22—from those needing foundational help to advanced learners preparing for AP exams, the Biology Olympiad, or college coursework.
My tutoring style is patient, diagnostic, and highly interactive. I start by identifying exactly where points of confusion and misunderstanding exist, then rebuild concepts step by step using clear diagrams, real-world analogies, animations, and quick at-home demonstrations when useful. Students explain ideas back to me and we work problems together until they are both competent and confident in the concepts. This approach has raised high school grades from Cs to As, helped dozens of AP students earn top scores, and turned struggling college freshmen into capable biology majors. I adapt to every learning style and pace, and my goal is always for students to understand the material and leave each session excited about biology.