I am a graduate from Duke University with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Chemistry. As a neuroscience major, my focus was on cognitive neuroscience and, particularly, in using electroencephalography (EEG) to understand how visual distractors interfere with ongoing brain processes associated with cognitive performance. My current work at the Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Branch and Dynamic Imaging Core of the NIMH involves leveraging multiple brain imaging modalities (e.g., functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)) and the power of Genome Wide Association analysis to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that might predict brain activation and connectivity patterns found in schizophrenia patients.
I believe a commitment to education and to life-long learning is essential for a successful and meaningful existence. During my journey as a student I have come to love the process of scientific inquiry and how it allows us to understand, predict and shape reality. Tutoring students contributes greatly to my sense of self-fulfillment, as it allows me to share some of my passion for science and, at the same time, help others thrive and achieve their educational and career goals.
I have worked as a mathematics tutor for middle school students of public schools located in underserved communities of Durham and as a teaching assistant for calculus-based undergraduate physics courses at Duke University. Additionally, during my time as a medical student in Brazil, I worked as teaching assistant for the cardiac physiology graduate course of University of Brasilia's School of Medicine. These experiences allowed me to work with students of multiple ages, educational levels, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and to develop an appreciation for individual uniqueness when it comes to learning strategies and preferences. As such, I try to respect each student's learning pace, level of comfort/aptitude for a particular subject and learning style when organizing a tutoring session. To me, studying should be not only about achieving academic success but, primarily, about having fun and developing an appreciation for continuous learning.
I tutor human physiology, pharmacology, anatomy (neuroanatomy in particular), biology, chemistry (honors chemistry, physical chemistry), physics (classical mechanics, electricity & magnetism), algebra (1-3/4), pre-calculus, calculus I & II, SAT subject test prep (Biology E/M, Chemistry & Physics), MCAT test prep (Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Verbal Reasoning), Spanish and computer science (python programming in particular). Amongst these, I am particularly fond of teaching physics and of helping students prepare for and feel confident about taking the MCAT. In my spare time, I enjoy practicing yoga and meditation, biking, baking vegan desserts, playing my electric guitar, reading fantasy/sci-fi novels and watching a great soccer match.