U.S. M.D. Graduate| High School to Graduate Life Sciences Tutor-Mentor

Ray R.

Algebra 1

I bring a strong academic background and teaching experience in math at all levels from pre-algebra and Algebra 2 to trigonometry and geometry, developed through years of rigorous academic study and tutoring experience with high school and college-level students. I have guided learners across a variety of academic stages, from AP Calculus to advanced university-level calculus for engineering and pre-medical students. I commonly help students with topics like understanding derivatives and their applications, mastering integration techniques, solving differential equations, analyzing limits and continuity, and working through optimization problems. My teaching emphasizes building a strong conceptual foundation and developing problem-solving strategies to tackle complex math problems with confidence.

Algebra 2

I bring a strong academic background and teaching experience in math at all levels from pre-algebra and Algebra 2 to trigonometry and geometry, developed through years of rigorous academic study and tutoring experience with high school and college-level students. I have guided learners across a variety of academic stages, from AP Calculus to advanced university-level calculus for engineering and pre-medical students. I commonly help students with topics like understanding derivatives and their applications, mastering integration techniques, solving differential equations, analyzing limits and continuity, and working through optimization problems. My teaching emphasizes building a strong conceptual foundation and developing problem-solving strategies to tackle complex math problems with confidence.

Anatomy

I bring a strong academic background and medical training in anatomy, strengthened by hands-on clinical education during medical school. I specialize in helping students connect anatomical structures to clinical relevance and high-yield exam content. I commonly support students in mastering organ system relationships, vasculature (major arteries/veins) musculoskeletal structures, neuroanatomy (including cranial nerves and major tracts), cardiovascular and respiratory pathways, and histological tissue identification. My teaching emphasizes visual-spatial learning with diagrams and labeled illustrations, active recall techniques like blank labeling and concept mapping, and pattern recognition strategies for histology and cross-sectional imaging. Whether you're preparing for lab practicals, board exams, or applying anatomy to clinical cases, I focus on building a strong foundation that supports long-term retention and real-world application.

Biochemistry

I bring a strong academic background and teaching experience in biochemistry. I've completed both graduate-level and upper-division university biochemistry courses as part of my bachelor's and master's training in molecular biochemistry and cell biology at UC San Diego. These courses covered a wide range of topics including enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways, protein structure and function, bioenergetics, and molecular signaling. In medical school, I further deepened my knowledge through clinical applications of biochemistry, studying the molecular basis of metabolic disorders, biochemical genetics, pharmacodynamics, and disease mechanisms tied to cellular metabolism. Over the past ten years, I’ve supported students in mastering core and advanced biochemistry concepts at the undergraduate, graduate, and pre-health levels. I commonly assist with topics such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport chain dynamics, amino acid metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, nucleic acid structure and function, gene expression regulation, signal transduction pathways, and biomolecular interactions. I also incorporate foundational chemistry principles to reinforce key biochemistry concepts, including acid-base balance, chemical bonding in macromolecules, and thermodynamic considerations in biochemical reactions. Whether you're preparing for exams or trying to understand complex mechanisms, I focus on breaking down biochemistry into manageable, logical components that build confidence and long-term understanding.

Biology

As a medical school graduate with an undergraduate degree in Biology, I bring both a broad and deep understanding of biology, having studied the subject from the biochemical, molecular, and cellular level to entire organ systems. I’ve excelled in taking and teaching AP Biology as well as undergraduate courses, and further strengthened my expertise through medical school training. With this academic background and years of teaching experience, I support students from K-12 through graduate-level programs in mastering both foundational and advanced topics. These include areas such as cell structure and function, glycolysis, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, molecular genetics, enzyme function, human physiology, classification, and principles of evolution and natural selection. My approach emphasizes problem-solving and practical applications, helping students grasp challenging material and succeed in contexts ranging from AP Biology to healthcare-related fields.

Calculus

I bring a strong academic background and teaching experience in calculus, developed through years of rigorous academic study and tutoring experience with high school and college-level students. I have guided learners across a variety of academic stages, from AP Calculus to advanced university-level calculus for engineering and pre-medical students. I commonly help students with topics like understanding derivatives and their applications, mastering integration techniques, solving differential equations, analyzing limits and continuity, and working through optimization problems. My teaching emphasizes building a strong conceptual foundation and developing problem-solving strategies to tackle complex calculus problems with confidence.

Chemistry

I have tutored AP Chemistry, community college, and university-level General Chemistry (Gen Chem), for over ten years, making it my most requested subject throughout my tutoring career. Supplemented by the completion of core chemistry classes with a strong emphasis on general chemistry during my pre-medical education. For pre-health students, I incorporate general biochemistry principles to provide a solid foundation in general chemistry and its relationship to biochemistry for students on pre-health tracks within STEM majors. I commonly assist students with a broad range of chemistry topics, including nomenclature, atomic structure, periodic trends, molecular geometry, hybridization, intermolecular forces, balancing reactions, acid-base equilibria, titrations, solubility rules, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, Gibbs free energy, Hess’s Law, enthalpy and entropy, kinetics, reaction mechanisms, the ideal gas law, gas stoichiometry, colligative properties, redox reactions, electrochemistry, equilibrium constants, Le Chatelier’s principle, phase changes, and elemental compounds and chemical bonds. Whether you need help mastering core concepts, problem-solving strategies, or exam preparation, I ensure a clear and structured approach to learning chemistry effectively.

Genetics

I bring a strong academic background and extensive teaching experience in genetics, supported by my medical degree and graduate training in molecular biology. I’ve completed advanced coursework covering Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance, gene expression regulation, chromosomal abnormalities, population genetics, and molecular mechanisms of genetic disease. My medical education deepened this foundation through clinical genetics and genomics, emphasizing diagnostic applications, hereditary syndromes, and genetic counseling principles. I help students master high-yield topics like Punnett squares, pedigree analysis, linkage mapping, and molecular mutation pathways, connecting these principles to real-world examples in cancer genetics, pharmacogenomics, and precision medicine.

Geometry

I bring a strong academic background and teaching experience in math at all levels from pre-algebra and Algebra 2 to trigonometry and geometry, developed through years of rigorous academic study and tutoring experience with high school and college-level students. I have guided learners across a variety of academic stages, from AP Calculus to advanced university-level calculus for engineering and pre-medical students. I commonly help students with topics like understanding derivatives and their applications, mastering integration techniques, solving differential equations, analyzing limits and continuity, and working through optimization problems. My teaching emphasizes building a strong conceptual foundation and developing problem-solving strategies to tackle complex math problems with confidence.

MCAT

As a recent U.S. M.D. graduate, I bring a uniquely comprehensive background that spans every domain tested on the MCAT. My education in Cognitive Psychology and Biology, combined with graduate-level training in molecular biochemistry and cell biology in my medical doctorate from Loyola University Chicago, in addition to my tutoring experience teaching each of the subjects individually outside of the MCAT, allows me to teach the key MCAT subjects, including biochemistry, biology, physics, chemistry, psychology, and sociology—particularly in areas like enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways, genetics, behavioral science, and experimental reasoning. I also specialize in data interpretation and critical analysis strategies, helping students break down complex passages and apply scientific concepts efficiently under timed conditions.—precisely the kind of interdisciplinary reasoning the MCAT is designed to test. This type of foundation enables me to teach not just individual subjects, but how they connect to form the larger framework of human function and medical thought. Over the past decade, I’ve helped pre-medical students translate complex science into confidence and precision. My approach combines content mastery with reasoning strategy—showing students how to identify patterns across passages, extract key details, and think through experimental data instead of memorizing isolated facts. I incorporate active learning techniques, spaced repetition, and visual frameworks that make relationships between systems and processes easier to retain long-term. I also guide students in using resources effectively, teaching them how to interpret question banks, break down AAMC passages, and review with purpose. Each student receives access to my curated set of high-yield PDFs, summary sheets, and resource links that reinforce efficiency and independence—tools many continue using beyond the MCAT itself. Beyond content and test prep, I also mentor students through medical school application strategy—from building strong study sc

Microbiology

Through my medical training, I developed a strong and clinically relevant foundation in microbiology, integrating a detailed understanding of pathogenic organisms with the immune system responses they provoke. My education covered bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens through both lecture-based instruction and case-based learning, giving me insight into how microbiological principles shape diagnostic reasoning, treatment planning, and infection control. I’ve applied this knowledge through years of tutoring students across nursing, physician assistant, pre-medical, and allied health programs—helping them translate microbiology from a memorization-heavy subject into one grounded in clinical relevance. I support students in mastering microbial classification, gram staining interpretation, bacterial morphology, replication, gene transfer, and antibiotic resistance. I emphasize understanding host–pathogen interactions, the role of normal flora, and the principles of innate and adaptive immunity. I also cover key clinical topics like viral replication cycles, fungal pathogenesis, parasitic life cycles, vaccine mechanisms, and sterilization protocols. For nursing and APRN students in particular, I integrate pharmacologic insight—highlighting antimicrobial classes, side effect profiles, and resistance mechanisms—to build strong clinical judgment.

Neuroscience

Currently, as a Post-Doctoral Research fellow in Neurocognitive and Neurodegenerative disorders, my background is heavily grounded within neurosciences as I obtained my Bachelor's in neurobiology / cognitive neurosciences and gained advanced medical education with a focus on neurophysiology and neuropathology. As an undergraduate, I served as a teaching assistant for a Sensory Neuroscience course, where I led review sessions and helped students master concepts such as receptive fields, sensory coding, and cortical processing. I also conducted addiction neuroscience research, using rodent models to study how alcohol dependence alters decision-making and neural circuitry—deepening my understanding of how brain systems link to behavior. Neuroscience has remained my most personally rewarding subject -- I’ve supported students across all levels—from undergraduates learning neuroanatomy or neural signaling for the first time, to medical and graduate students mastering clinical neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, or neurodegenerative disease. I specialize in breaking down complex systems—like basal ganglia loops, cranial nerve pathways, and cortical maps—into visual, stepwise explanations that promote deep understanding and long-term retention. Whether your goals are academic, clinical, or research-oriented, I bring a uniquely integrated neuroscience perspective that supports success at every level. Neuroscience has remained my most personally rewarding subject -- I’ve supported students across all levels—from undergraduates learning neuroanatomy or neural signaling for the first time, to medical and graduate students mastering clinical neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, or neurodegenerative disease. I specialize in breaking down complex systems—like basal ganglia loops, cranial nerve pathways, and cortical maps—into visual, stepwise explanations that promote deep understanding and long-term retention. Whether your goals are academic, clinical, or research-oriented, I bring a uniquely integrated neuroscience perspec

Pharmacology

As a recent M.D. graduate with extensive medical education and over a decade of tutoring experience, I bring a comprehensive and clinically grounded understanding of pharmacology. I have worked closely with students across a range of graduate-level programs, including master’s-level nursing (MSN, APRN, DNP), pharmacy school (PharmD), PA studies, and medical school. My instruction emphasizes not only the molecular mechanisms of actions and indications of the classes of drugs, but also their practical application in real-world clinical scenarios—ensuring students are well-prepared for answering questions on contraindications and adverse effects of medications that show up on most healthcare professional exams and boards. In my sessions, I guide students through high-yield pharmacology content such as therapeutic indications, contraindications, adverse effects, and drug-drug interactions. I place special emphasis on understanding drug mechanisms of action and how pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics influence treatment choices across various systems. Particular attention is given to core drug categories including cardiovascular agents, antibiotics, CNS medications, endocrine therapies, and anti-inflammatory drugs. I also help students navigate complex areas such as neuropharmacology and psychopharmacology, where understanding receptor targets, side effect profiles, and patient-specific risks is essential. My teaching approach integrates pharmacology with clinical reasoning and pathophysiology, helping students learn how to approach case-based scenarios with a focus on safety, efficacy, and individualized care.

Physics

I bring a strong academic foundation and over a decade of teaching experience in physics, with a focus on both high school AP and university-level coursework. Through my pre-medical training and extensive tutoring background, I’ve developed a clear and methodical approach to helping students understand the core principles that govern motion, energy, forces, electricity, and wave behavior. I regularly work with students on mastering the laws of motion, solving real-world dynamics problems, and applying concepts of energy conservation in both linear and rotational systems. My instruction also emphasizes understanding gravitational interactions, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics, all within a unified conceptual framework. In the realm of electricity and magnetism, I guide students through topics like electric fields, potential, circuit behavior, resistance, and electromagnetism, with special attention to connecting abstract concepts to problem-solving techniques. When teaching waves and optics, I help students analyze interference, diffraction, refraction, sound, and light through both a physical and mathematical lens. My sessions prioritize building intuition, translating complex word problems into structured steps, and fostering confidence in applying formulas under exam conditions. Whether you're new to physics or preparing for a challenging university exam, I aim to make the subject both manageable and rewarding through clarity, repetition, and relevance.

Physiology

With my graduate-level medical education, I bring an advanced and comprehensive understanding of human physiology and pathophysiology, spanning from molecular mechanisms to the integrated functions of entire organ systems. My training allows me to bridge foundational physiology with real-world clinical scenarios, showing how structure and function dynamically interact in both health and disease. I cover a broad spectrum of topics including homeostasis, hormonal regulation within the endocrine system, cardiovascular dynamics, renal physiology and acid–base balance, respiratory gas exchange, neuromuscular physiology, immunology, gastrointestinal processes, and reproductive function. In each area, I emphasize not only the fundamental mechanisms but also their clinical implications, such as how disruptions in endocrine pathways contribute to metabolic disease, or how immune dysregulation drives inflammatory disorders. By blending the basic sciences with applied medical reasoning, I strive to make physiology both intellectually engaging and practically relevant for learners at every level.

Psychology

With a degree in Cognitive Psychology and Biology from UC San Diego, followed by advanced medical training and post-doctoral research in neurocognitive and behavioral neuroscience, I bring a strong interdisciplinary background to teaching psychology. My education bridges the biological and cognitive sciences, allowing me to connect psychological theory with underlying neural processes. I help students master core topics such as sensation and perception, classical and operant conditioning, cognitive development, memory formation, language, and motivation. As a former teaching assistant for Sensory Neuroscience and a longtime tutor, I focus on building conceptual understanding through real-world examples—linking brain function to behavior, learning, and emotional regulation. This approach helps students see psychology not as isolated facts, but as an integrated science grounded in human experience and brain function. Psychology remains one of my most rewarding subjects to teach, especially when preparing students for AP Psychology exams, the MCAT, or university-level coursework. I guide learners through high-yield areas such as neurotransmission, stress physiology, social and abnormal psychology, emotion and cognition, the stages of sleep, and research methodology—including experimental design, validity, and data interpretation. My sessions emphasize active learning, visual mapping of psychological systems, and application of foundational principles to complex scenarios. By combining insights from neuroscience and clinical medicine, I help students not only retain information but also develop a deeper understanding of human behavior, cognition, and the biological mechanisms that drive them.

Trigonometry

I bring a strong academic background and teaching experience in math at all levels from pre-algebra and Algebra 2 to trigonometry and geometry, developed through years of rigorous academic study and tutoring experience with high school and college-level students. I have guided learners across a variety of academic stages, from AP Calculus to advanced university-level calculus for engineering and pre-medical students. I commonly help students with topics like understanding derivatives and their applications, mastering integration techniques, solving differential equations, analyzing limits and continuity, and working through optimization problems. My teaching emphasizes building a strong conceptual foundation and developing problem-solving strategies to tackle complex math problems with confidence.

USMLE

As a recent U.S. M.D. graduate and current post-doctoral research fellow, I bring both clinical insight and academic precision to USMLE preparation. I’ve mentored students across multiple stages—Step 1, Step 2 CK, NBME Shelf Exams, and overall clerkship rotations preparation —helping them not just memorize material, but deeply understand how foundational sciences inform clinical decision-making. My strength lies in helping students identify key concepts, recognize recurring exam themes, and tie complex systems together in a way that improves long-term retention. Whether you're preparing for basic science boards or applying those principles during rotations, I focus on teaching how to think across and synthesize disciplines and recognize the broader themes woven throughout USMLE exams. In addition to guiding students through content, I emphasize efficient and targeted use of third-party resources like UWorld and AMBOSS. I show students how to extract patterns from question stems, turn wrong answers into learning tools, and integrate QBank performance data to guide their review. I also provide students with curated PDFs, high-yield review sheets, and focused strategy guides I've developed or collected over the years—often tools they continue using long after our sessions end. Many students have told me these resources were more valuable than tutoring alone, because they foster true independence. I don’t just aim to teach—I aim to give you the tools to not need me for long. My goal is to help you build clinical reasoning from the ground up, connect high-yield facts to real-world applications, and walk into every exam or rotation prepared, not overwhelmed. Whether you’re a first-time test taker or reworking your approach after prior challenges, I offer individualized, structured support that emphasizes long-term learning, clarity under pressure, and the ability to think like a clinician—not just a test taker.