MD/PhD Candidate | MCAT, USMLE Step 1, & Advanced Science Tutor

Miles P.

I am currently a dual-degree Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) student at the University of Utah School of Medicine, pursuing MD and PhD degrees. I received a BS in Biochemistry and Mathematics from Arizona State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.00/4.00 GPA, receiving valedictorian honors. I scored in the 90th percentile on the MCAT in 2019 and matriculated into medical school in 2022. I passed the USMLE Step 1 exam in April 2024. My research focus is in cellular signaling pathways and translational oncology, and I have authored manuscripts in high-impact journals like Cancer Cell, Nature Cancer, and Cancer Research, accumulating over 700 citations. I also received a prestigious T32 funding award for my research in pancreatic cancer.

For the past 4 years, I have been a tutor in the Academic Success Program at the University of Utah, working with first- and second-year medical students on foundational physiologic concepts and USMLE Step 1 preparation. I host group sessions where I write original NBME-style practice questions, lead discussions on complex principles, translate pathophysiology into high-yield board concepts, and develop test-taking strategies. I also host drop-in sessions for individualized, one-on-one help. I have taught roughly 100 students across structured classrooms, online learning spaces, and individual settings. Prior to this experience, I worked for two years as a General and Organic Chemistry teaching assistant, where I led lab sections and hosted office hours for undergraduate students.

My teaching approach centers on conceptual understanding and high-level test-taking skills, with a complete decoupling from rote memorization. I specialize in communicating complex scientific principles in an intuitive, manageable way, training students to see that there are always multiple ways to approach a problem.