Hello! My name is Mariza, and I am a Bioengineering Ph.D. student at Rice University. I received my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University, where I discovered my passion for teaching and mentoring students.
As I progressed through increasingly advanced STEM courses, I realized that many concepts that eventually became intuitive to me weren't inherently difficult, they were often simply being explained from the perspective of someone who had already mastered them. Once I...
Hello! My name is Mariza, and I am a Bioengineering Ph.D. student at Rice University. I received my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University, where I discovered my passion for teaching and mentoring students.
As I progressed through increasingly advanced STEM courses, I realized that many concepts that eventually became intuitive to me weren't inherently difficult, they were often simply being explained from the perspective of someone who had already mastered them. Once I developed a deep understanding of a topic, I could better recognize where students were likely to get stuck and why an explanation that made perfect sense to one person might not resonate with someone else.
That realization inspired me to become the kind of teacher I wish I had when I was first learning these subjects. Rather than relying on a single explanation, I enjoy approaching concepts from different angles until they click for each individual student. My goal is to make STEM feel approachable and intuitive by adapting my teaching to each student's unique learning style.
I served as a teaching assistant for both Cell Biology and MATLAB programming during my undergraduate studies. These experiences allowed me to work one-on-one with students, break complex topics into manageable pieces, and develop the communication skills needed to explain the same concept in multiple ways.
Additionally, I offer college counseling and application guidance. Having successfully navigated competitive undergraduate and Ph.D. application cycles, I understand how overwhelming the admissions process can be. I help students identify schools that fit their goals, develop compelling personal narratives, brainstorm and refine essays, and present their experiences authentically. I especially enjoy helping students uncover the stories and qualities that make their applications uniquely theirs.
Whether you're looking for help with STEM coursework, college applications, essay writing, or navigating the admissions process, I'd love to work with you!
