Experienced in Sciences, Medicine, and Test Prep

Ria D.

I am currently a medical student in the six-year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and am pursuing research at Washington University in St. Louis through an NIH grant while completing my Master of Science in Clinical Investigation. Throughout my academic journey, I have been deeply involved in supporting student learning through both Supplemental Instruction (SI) and tutoring. I have served as an SI leader in Pharmacology, Organic Chemistry, Biology, and Anatomy, and have also tutored students in nursing courses, various sciences, and mathematics. My experiences have allowed me to work with students across different disciplines and levels of training, strengthening my ability to adapt to diverse learning needs.

What I enjoy most about tutoring and SI leadership is helping students discover their own learning styles and strategies. I personally struggled early on with realizing that I didn’t learn like many of my peers, so I understand how important it is to find individualized approaches. Because of this, I make it a priority to transform complex or less engaging lecture material into interactive and fun activities that encourage deeper understanding. My strength lies in redirecting questions back to students or their resources, guiding them toward critical thinking and independent mastery rather than simply providing answers.

I am CRLA Level 1 certified through UMKC and also serve as an SI leader with the International Center of SI, where I continue to develop my skills in peer-led learning. These experiences have not only enriched my own education but also fostered a passion for helping others succeed by making challenging material more accessible, engaging, and rewarding to learn.