Columbia PhD for STEM tutoring

Alexa O.

Hi there! My name is Alexa, and PhD scientist in molecular biology. I completed my PhD at Columbia specializing in genomics methods and epigenetic regulation of gene expression. I am a working researcher using scientific principles and critical thought in my day to day work, and I am excited to share my experiences to help others succeed!

Throughout my academic career, I have been passionate about teaching and mentoring. During my undergraduate studies, I worked many hours tutoring younger children after school let out on the weekdays over the entire 4 years of my degree. I served as a peer tutor in college, as well as mentored junior students through the Women in Science outreach program. I continued to help undergraduates navigate science classes from graduate school, through a similar program, and also have spent summers training undergraduates hands-on in the lab to perform their own experiments, analyze, and present data.

I believe in a well rounded approach when it comes to teaching these concepts, and that students that enjoy the process of learning tend to learn more readily. I value being able to adapt to a particular student's teaching style and to connect them with the material in a way that makes sense for them - through visual aids, hypothetical scenarios or real-life anecdotes. While I also suffered from testing anxiety as a student, there are ways to prepare that make the testing experience much less stressful, and typically more successful.

Please reach out if you think my style and expertise might benefit you or your student! I specialize in Biology, specifically at the college-level, but am also willing and able to help with lower level science material or introductory Chemistry courses. I am also available for test-prep tutoring, specifically for SAT / ACT / SAT, AP or IB Biology subject tests or general high school level comprehensive exams that test Reading Comprehension, Writing, Math &/or Science.