PhD Computational Biologist for Biology, Coding, and Data Science

Sebastien V.

I'm a PhD-level computational biologist and experienced educator who loves making complex topics click for learners at any level. Over a two-decade career spanning academic research, clinical research, and the biotech industry, I've contributed to more than 30 published studies and held positions at institutions including Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. But what has stayed constant throughout is my passion for teaching and mentoring.

I served as a teaching assistant at the University of Pennsylvania, developed online coursework for the University of the People, and taught programming and data science to students and researchers as a certified Software Carpentry instructor. I have also mentored middle-school students for science projects with iPraxis and organized and facilitated adult learning circles with Peer 2 Peer University (P2PU) and BosLab.

I'm equally comfortable teaching in person and online, and I favor active learning and project-based approaches — meaning you'll spend more time doing and building than passively listening. I've worked with learners of all levels, from middle-school to professional, and I know what it feels like to encounter a concept that just won't click.

Whether you're a student wrestling with biology for the first time, a researcher learning to code, or someone working through advanced topics in bioinformatics, I'll tailor my approach to your goals and your pace. My priority is always to help you build lasting skills and real confidence, not just to get through the next assignment, but to become more capable and independent in the long run.