Dirk

Certified Tutor

I grew up in northern Germany on my grandparent's farm in a small village. I completed a Gymnasium-level high school education in 1987, which was followed by a University Diploma in Chemistry in 1996. After completing my University education in Germany I took advantage of the opportunity to continue my education in the United States and started in the PhD program at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. I completed the degree in 2001. Since then I held multiple academic research appointments at UIC in Chicago, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Washington in Seattle. In January of 2008 I was offered a position as a Senior Research Chemist with Merck, which I accepted. At Merck my responsibilities focus on the physical characterization of potential drug candidates in the early development phase. I greatly enjoy working in the highly interdisciplinary and challenging environment at Merck. Throughout my life I had a genuine interest in science, with a specific captivation for Chemistry. I'm happy that I could incorporate that fascination into my career. In addition to my desire to learn more about science and to apply that knowledge, I hold a passion for teaching. I enjoy the interaction with students and try to convey my passion for science. My desire to teach is reflected in the voluntary TA position I did during my PhD time, the mentoring of students and junior staff during my academic appointments and at Merck, and in my adjunct faculty position at Union County College in Cranford, NJ. My goal is to connect with the students and to spark their interest in the material taught. I try to make my teaching sessions fun and to include real life examples that illustrate the relevance and importance of what is covered. My goal in teaching is that my students gain a deep understanding of the subject taught. I'm looking very forward to tutoring!