Hi I'm Rob, an Epidemiology PhD Student at Brown University! My academic and teaching background spans from the molecular intricacies of biochemistry to the complex dynamics of infectious diseases at the population level. At Colby College, where I earned my BA in biochemistry and worked in a wet lab studying slime molds, I spent four years tutoring undergraduate students, with a focus on intro biology and chemistry courses. I also served as a teaching assistant for the intro cell biology...
Hi I'm Rob, an Epidemiology PhD Student at Brown University! My academic and teaching background spans from the molecular intricacies of biochemistry to the complex dynamics of infectious diseases at the population level. At Colby College, where I earned my BA in biochemistry and worked in a wet lab studying slime molds, I spent four years tutoring undergraduate students, with a focus on intro biology and chemistry courses. I also served as a teaching assistant for the intro cell biology course, working directly with students in both lecture and laboratory settings. I specialized in helping students connect molecular mechanisms to broader biological concepts, developing customized strategies to help each individual move beyond rote memorization to genuine scientific understanding. Throughout my tutoring experience, I worked with both first-year students and more advanced learners, adapting my approach to meet a wide range of academic needs and learning styles. At Colby, I was also a member of the school's NCAA Division III cross-country and track and field teams!
Following Colby, I pursued advanced training at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (MPH, Infectious Diseases) and am now completing my PhD in Epidemiology at Brown University. My research combines my cellular and population-level interests, focusing on how infectious agents interact with one another and how pathogens affect humans across biological, clinical, and ecological scales. Specifically, I have studied how climate influences infectious disease transmission dynamics and have characterized the global burden of sepsis. This training allows me to bring a unique systems-level perspective to tutoring, helping students not only master course content but also appreciate its real-world applications. I emphasize critical thinking and building a lasting scientific framework — not just preparing for the next exam. I’m passionate about making complex topics accessible and helping students gain the confidence to thrive in scientific fields.
