Taneka

Certified Tutor

My students would probably describe me as scientifically sound, passionate, energetic, creative, strict and diplomatic. I hold all of my students accountable and expect them to leave my classes understanding their material down to a Cellular and Molecular level.

My background is Science, Research, Education and Fashion Design. I graduated with a B.S. (2003) and M.S. (2007) in Molecular, Cellular and Microbial Biology. I completed my thesis in an Immunology lab that focused on the introduction of immunological cells, such as T-Cells, Dendritic Cells and Macrophages. I analyzed my results through many arrays of mRNA and Protein analysis; such as Real-Time PcR, Western Blots, Immunohistochemistry, and FACs Analysis. I then pursued a Ph.D at Northwestern University in 2006. During this time, I published the results of my Prostate Cancer research surrounding Developmental Biology at the Robert H. Lurie Research Center of Children's Memorial Hospital. After leaving the Ph.D. Program, I began teaching Biology courses at C.S.U. This led me back to school to complete a M.A.T. and Secondary Teaching Certificate at National-Louis University. I then taught for Chicago Public Schools from Middle School to Senior Level, alongside of teaching Biology courses for City Colleges of Chicago. After the major turn-around that occurred for CPS in 2013, I decided to expand upon my Fashion Engineering skills and enroll in a Fashion Design Program. I recently completed my B.F.A. in Fashion Design this past March (2016). Fashion Design has led me into designing, drafting and sewing my own collections; along with working for a modern-day, British, shirt-making company focusing on Visuals, Operations and Sales.

"The unseen threads that link us together sustain our existence, explain our connections, and define our destiny." ~T.s. Douglas, 2016