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Pre-Med Tutor with 2+ Years Teaching Biology
Ray O.

5 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $20
Response time: 2 minutes

About Ray


Bio

I am a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh's Honor's College pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Chemistry minor on a pre-med track. My coursework includes Biology I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, giving me a strong foundation across the core sciences that undergraduate and pre-med students typically struggle with most.

My most relevant teaching experience comes from serving as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Biology I at Pitt for over two years. In that...

I am a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh's Honor's College pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Chemistry minor on a pre-med track. My coursework includes Biology I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, giving me a strong foundation across the core sciences that undergraduate and pre-med students typically struggle with most.

My most relevant teaching experience comes from serving as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Biology I at Pitt for over two years. In that role I led recitation sessions, held office hours, and worked directly with students one-on-one and in small groups to break down material that didn't land in lecture. I learned quickly that most students don't struggle with biology because they lack intelligence, they struggle because the concepts aren't connected to anything intuitive yet. My approach has always been to find the analogy or real-world anchor that makes abstract material more obvious, then build from there.

Beyond the classroom, I work at a sleep research lab at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Western Psychiatric Hospital, which has given me firsthand exposure to how scientific research is conducted in a clinical setting and deepened my appreciation for the biological processes underlying human health. I'm comfortable tutoring Biology I, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. The students I've worked with range from freshmen encountering college science for the first time to upperclassmen preparing for the MCAT. Whether in a group recitation or sitting one-on-one with someone the night before an exam, my goal is always the same: make it make sense.


Education

University of Pittsburgh
Biological Sciences

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Approved Subjects

Algebra 1

Algebra 1

I use algebra daily as a pre-med Biology major and Chemistry minor at the University of Pittsburgh, applying it across physics, chemistry, and quantitative biology coursework. As an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Biology at Pitt, I have hands-on experience breaking down concepts for students who struggle with the quantitative side of science, which almost always traces back to shaky algebra foundations. I focus on building real understanding of core skills like solving equations, working with inequalities, graphing linear functions, and translating word problems into math, rather than just teaching students to mimic steps they'll forget after the test.
Biology

Biology

Biology major at the University of Pittsburgh with a Chemistry minor. Currently serving as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for college-level Biology I, with hands-on experience helping students master foundational biology concepts. Strong background in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and human physiology. Experienced in teaching effective study strategies for content-heavy biology courses
Chemistry

Chemistry

Currently pursuing a Chemistry minor at the University of Pittsburgh. Completed General Chemistry I and II and Organic Chemistry I and II with strong grades. Comfortable across all levels of chemistry, from foundational concepts like atomic structure, the periodic table, and chemical reactions through college-level topics like thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy. Familiar with standardized exam formats including ACS finals. I also serve as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for college-level Biology I, giving me strong experience in explaining scientific concepts clearly to students at any level.
Ecology

Ecology

I earned an A in Ecology at the University of Pittsburgh, a course that covered all six levels of ecological organization from individual organisms through the biosphere, including population growth and dynamics, community structure, succession, energy flow and nutrient cycling in ecosystems, landscape ecology, and conservation. The course emphasized data analysis, primary literature interpretation, and applying evolutionary thinking to ecological problems, so I can help students who are struggling not just with the concepts but with the quantitative and analytical side that tends to trip people up on exams. As an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Biology at Pitt, I regularly work with students on building the kind of scientific reasoning that ecology courses demand, and I also work in a UPMC research lab, which keeps me actively reading and interpreting scientific data beyond the classroom.
EMT/ NREMT

EMT/ NREMT

I am NREMT-certified, having passed both the cognitive and psychomotor examinations, and I earned an A in my university EMT course at the University of Pittsburgh, which covered the full scope of EMT practice from airway management and patient assessment to trauma, medical emergencies, pharmacology, and EMS operations. I know what the NREMT actually tests and how it tests it, so I can help students focus on the high-yield material and work through the scenario-based critical thinking questions that trip most people up on the cognitive exam. I am also a pre-med Biology major working in a UPMC research setting, which means I bring a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology that helps me explain the "why" behind protocols rather than just drilling memorization.
Genetics

Genetics

I earned an A in Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, a rigorous course built around experimental problem-solving rather than memorization. I tutor crosses, gene mapping, pedigree analysis, molecular techniques, and population genetics, and I'm especially strong at helping students work through the multi-part experimental design problems that tend to make or break exam grades. As an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Biology at Pitt, I spend my time explaining complex biological concepts to students every week, so I know where people get stuck and how to get them unstuck. I also work in a UPMC research lab, which keeps me actively applying genetics concepts beyond the classroom.
Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Currently pursuing a Chemistry minor at the University of Pittsburgh. Completed Organic Chemistry I and II with strong grades. Experienced in reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, spectroscopy, carbonyl chemistry, and synthesis design. I also serve as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for college-level Biology I, giving me strong experience in communicating complex scientific concepts clearly.
Prealgebra

Prealgebra

Junior at the University of Pittsburgh with a strong math background through college-level calculus and chemistry coursework. Experienced in tutoring and teaching foundational concepts as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for college-level Biology I. Comfortable with all prealgebra topics including fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, integers, order of operations, basic equations, inequalities, and coordinate plane fundamentals.
Spelling

Spelling

Junior at the University of Pittsburgh with extensive academic writing experience across biology, chemistry, and research contexts. Strong command of English grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling conventions. Experience as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for college-level Biology I, where clear written and verbal communication is essential.
Elementary Math
Elementary Science
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Reviews

Wonderful teacher, highly recommend!

Ray is a very good tutor I highly recommend. He is very easy to talk to and has a big understanding of the topics you bring to him. He’s very reassuring and really explains everything to give you the full understanding, I highly recommend him!

Alexander, 3 lessons with Ray
Hourly Rate: $20
Response time: 2 minutes
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