PhD Organic Chemistry Graduate

Samantha R.

I am chemist with over 11 years of teaching experience and 7 years of research experience. I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with highest honors at Georgia Institute of Technology in 2018. In 2023, I graduated from the University of Southern California with my PhD in Organic Chemistry while doing organic synthesis research.

My teaching experience began in eleven years ago as a senior in high school when I would one on one tutor high school students in honors and AP chemistry. After graduating high school, I continued tutoring in college while working in a lab and classroom setting. In January of 2017, I began working as a PLUS (Peer Led Undergraduate Study) Leader for undergraduate general chemistry I. In this role, I lead twice weekly hour-long classroom workshops utilizing active-learning and workshops to review concepts learned in lecture. I continued this teaching role until my graduation in May 2018 and obtained my CRLA (College Reading and Learning Association) Level II certification. In addition, I worked as a teaching assistant for one semester in General Chemistry for Engineers. In this role, I facilitated weekly labs, recitations, and office hours for undergraduate students. During my final year in undergrad, I resumed in person one on one tutoring with high school students in the local Atlanta area.

After I graduated with my undergraduate degree, I resumed my education and teaching experience at USC. While there, I taught two semesters of Organic Chemistry II to undergraduate students. As a teaching assistant, I oversaw designing weekly lab quizzes to test students’ pre-lab knowledge of the organic chemistry lab skills and concepts covered in the lab. In addition, I led two weekly labs and graded lab reports and midterm/final exams. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I began online tutoring with multiple undergraduate organic chemistry students in weekly sessions.