Beth G.

Beth G.

5.0

Molecular and Cellular Biology // Bioinformatics

University of California, Davis Logo

Studied at University of California, Davis

Fred Hutch Logo

Worked at Fred Hutch

Available tomorrow at 4:00 PM UTC

Usually responds within 9 hours

Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.

Beth’s Biology Qualifications

Coaches professionally

Experience level: Associate

10+ people coached for Biology

Open to working with clients outside the U.S.

I am a molecular biologist with a passion for bioinformatics and experience teaching college biology. I can help you succeed at a biology course, apply for graduate school, search the scientific literature, understand research articles, design a research project, analyze data, or write up results. I have experience with many traditional wet lab techniques, including cell culture, viral propagation, transfection, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR. I can also teach you how to analyze data using the command line, Python, R, or GUI-based tools like Galaxy. I am all-but-dissertation in the PhD program in Animal Biology at UC Davis, where I studied the molecular mechanisms of sperm-egg fusion. I have also worked as a Research Assistant at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, where I studied the mechanism by which cytomegalovirus regulates the expression of a certain protein.

Beth also coaches for GMAT and GRE. View all.

About Beth

I am a molecular biologist, educator, and illustrator living with my dogs in Seattle, WA. I have over 15 years of experience as a standardized test prep tutor and have taught biology at the college level. My recent hobbies include creating silly animal stickers (e.g. a hungover penguin) and starting a biology blog. I am authentic, friendly, and relaxed, and I believe in the importance of balance. Because of my diverse passions, my path has been unique. As an undergraduate, I attended Stanford University, where I majored in Human Biology. I was interested in ecology, so I studied coral reefs and coastal forests in Australia and tropical rainforest bees in Costa Rica. I also minored in Studio Art. Growing up in a low-income community gave me an interest in educational equity, so I stayed on at Stanford to earn a Master's in Education and a multiple subject teaching credential from the Stanford Teacher Education Program. I combined my interests in ecology and education by working as an informal science educator at a zoo for several years. At the zoo, I developed an interest in the reproduction of endangered species. I did an internship with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, isolating hormones from clouded leopard poop. I then enrolled in the PhD program in Animal Biology at UC Davis, where I studied the molecular mechanisms of sperm-egg fusion. At UC Davis, my focus started to shift from ecology to molecular biology and from traditional laboratory techniques to bioinformatic analysis. Unfortunately, I lost my samples to a freezer failure and am all-but-dissertation. After leaving UC Davis, I worked as an informal science educator at a science museum and as a community college biology instructor. I then worked as a research assistant at a cancer research center, where I studied how a virus in the herpes family regulates the expression of a certain protein. I am currently taking a break from lab work while my body recovers from surgery. I am considered returning to school for an MBA or a PhD in Bioinformatics and pursuing a career in biotechnology.

Why do I coach?

I coach because helping people perform to the best of their abilities enables them to maximize their future opportunities. I also enjoy helping people develop their skills and self-confidence until their fear of test-taking gives way to a sense of accomplishment and fun. Growing up, I don't think I'd ever heard of private tutors. I'm from a low-income, primarily Mexican-American town in Southern California. I participated in school math clubs and studied for the SAT using books. In high school, I was recruited by Stanford University as part of a program that identified promising students from under-served populations based on their PSAT scores. I was also a National Merit Scholar. As a result, I understand how empowering high test scores can be. My experiences with the GRE and GMAT were similar: I studied for the tests using books and felt like achieving a high score gave me greater control over my future. My low-income background and tendency toward self-reliance influence my tutoring style: I don't want to waste your time with me on anything that you could do on your own. I also don't buy in to the high-pressure, high-anxiety culture that often surrounds standardized testing. I'd love to help you focus your energy efficiently and study in a way allows you to maintain a sense of balance.

Work Experience

Fred Hutch Logo

Research Assistant

Fred Hutch

March 2021 - January 2023

Studied a unique mechanism by which cytomegalovirus regulates translation of a certain protein. Propagated cytomegalovirus in cell culture. Isolated DNA, RNA, and proteins from cells. Performed PCR, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and luciferase assays. Used fluorescent microscopy to analyze protein expression. Designed and conducted experiments. Documented procedures and results. Trained interns and staff in standard laboratory procedure. Maintained inventory of laboratory supplies.

Portland Community College Logo

Biology Instructor

Portland Community College

April 2019 - March 2021

Instructing courses in non-majors biology and cell biology for health professionals. Teaching students how to use common laboratory equipment, including microscopes, as well as how to design, perform, and interpret experiments. Delivering interactive lectures on cell biology topics. Developing, administering, and grading assessments of student performance. Instructing courses online and developing online alternatives to in-person lab experiences while the campus was closed due to COVID-19.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Logo

Science Communication Specialist

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

September 2018 - November 2019

Coordinated, developed, and delivered programs in Science Communication Services and Teen Engagement at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Trained STEM professionals how to effectively communicate their research with the public. Trained teen volunteers to facilitate interactive science demos with museum visitors.

Education

University of California, Davis Logo

University of California, Davis

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Animal Biology

2011 - 2018

Activities and societies: Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Medicine Club All but dissertation. Developing and illustrating a conceptual model of the protein machinery that mediates membrane fusion. Performing bioinformatics analysis of single oocyte transcriptomes. Performing co-immunoprecipitation experiments to identify proteins that interact during fertilization.

Stanford University Logo

Stanford University

Master of Arts (M.A.), Education

2006 - 2007

Stanford Teacher Education Program Multiple Subject California Teaching Credential

Stanford University Logo

Stanford University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Human Biology, Minor in Studio Art

2002 - 2006

Activities and societies: Phi Beta Kappa

3 Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0


Knowledge

5.0

Value

5.0

Responsiveness

5.0

Supportiveness

5.0

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Beth G.

Beth G.

5.0

 
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