Emily

Certified Tutor

I am an MD/PhD student at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. I was born and raised in Brookline, MA, and graduated magna cum laude with Highest Honors in Human Evolutionary Biology from Harvard College. At Columbia, my PhD research focused on applying exome sequencing and other genome-wide sequencing approaches to investigate the utility of genomic diagnostics in nephrology and identify novel candidate genes for kidney disease. I aim to pursue a career in academic medicine, applying genomic methods to provide patients with personalized care.

Beginning in my undergraduate years and continuing through my MD/PhD training, I have tutored students in PSAT and SAT I preparation and for the Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, US History, US Government and Politics, AP European History, and AP English Literature and Composition. During this time, I also have tutored students in ESL, and (non-AP level) high-school level biology, English literature, US history, and European history. As an MD/PhD student, I have also tutored undergraduate students in college-level biology and genetics and MCAT prep and tutored medical students for the USMLE Step 1 exam. I am a fluent French and proficient Spanish speaker, and, throughout my experiences tutoring, have worked extensively with students who are non-native English language speakers as well as native English speakers.

These experiences, as well as my MD/PhD training, have given me a strong foundation in tutoring individuals of diverse background in the sciences, particularly biology, history, and English language, composition, and literature. As a teacher, I focus on honing in on to each student's learning style and the key challenges they face in the given subject area. Then, I apply this knowledge to personalize their coursework accordingly, so that we can work together to develop strategies to make such complex concepts understandable, which they can subsequently use to succeed independently in the classroom and achieve their long-term academic aims. In my free time outside the clinic and the laboratory, I enjoy cooking and baking (especially anything chocolate!), drawing and painting, and practicing yoga.