U. of Pittsburgh Graduate Specializing in Science and Writing

Alana K.

Howdy, I'm Alana! I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 2021 with a BS in Biological Sciences and minors in Chemistry and Public & Professional Writing. After graduating, I am using my degree and written communication skills to make science accessible to all learners and help break down the barriers associated with learning and working in STEM fields. (I’m also an NPS park ranger, but that is mostly for fun and I get a cool hat!)

I have extensive tutoring training at the middle, high school, college, and adult levels. In college, I worked for a learning website, where created biological study guides and practice questions for middle and high-school-aged students. At Pitt, I served as a teaching assistant for two written communication courses and a biology course. Additionally, post-grad, I worked for the Pitt’s School of Medicine, where produced program-related communications, contributed my writing expertise on multiple grant applications, and coauthored study manuscripts. I also work as a Freelance Writing Coach, providing grant-specific consultations and coaching sessions for investigators as well as coaching clients on how to develop a professional tone while describing complex research methods in layman’s terms.

My approach to learning is simple: your inherent ability to understand a topic has no relation to your ability to succeed in that topic. Just because you don’t think you're a “writer” or a “math person” that does not mean you cannot succeed in those fields. Learning is a skill just like any other skill - and practice makes perfect. I am here to tutor, but more importantly, to give you the skills and confidence to succeed. And if we have a few laughs along the way, even better.

I hope that my relationship with science and communication along with my passion make education more accessible come across in this short introduction. Do not hesitate to reach out.