UC Berkeley PhD | Biology, Biochem, Physiology, Orgo & MCAT Tutor

Michael G.

I’m a PhD student at UC Berkeley in Metabolic Biology and an experienced science tutor who helps students build real understanding instead of memorizing. My strongest subjects are biology, biochemistry, physiology, and chemistry (especially organic chemistry), and I also support MCAT prep. I scored in the 100th percentile on the MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations section, and I use that same high-yield, concept-first approach to help students improve quickly and confidently.

My academic background includes a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, and I’ve been teaching and tutoring since 2015 in both classroom and one-on-one settings. I have served as a university Teaching Assistant for Biology, Physiology, Cell Biology, and Organic Chemistry for multiple years, and later as the sole TA for Harvard’s advanced neurobiology course “The Brain: Development, Plasticity, and Disease.” In these roles I led discussion sections, taught review sessions, held office hours, graded exams, and coached students through difficult problem sets and core concepts.

Alongside teaching, I’ve spent over five years doing translational research in human beta-cell biology at Harvard, including work that has resulted in peer-reviewed publications in Nature. That research training makes me a stronger tutor: I’m systematic about finding the exact point where a concept stops making sense, then rebuilding it with simple mental models, practice questions, and active recall so it sticks. I work well with motivated high school and college students, and I’m especially helpful for students who feel overwhelmed and want a structured plan, accountability, and confidence in the fundamentals.