We are the official UCI Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences Peer Tutors. All of us have taken and excelled in the class we are tutoring for, and several of us have multiple quarters of tutoring under our belts. We tutor for free because we simply love teaching and helping our fellow students succeed. Along with tutoring, we can help you with anything else you need, including advice such as which professors and classes to take or how to get involved in activities like medical volunteering or research. We make weekly worksheets, hold office hours, and hold review sessions for each course; so don't hesitate to ask us anything, we are here for you!

MEET THE TEAM!

BSPT Coordinators

Paniz Bahram

Hi everyone! I’m Paniz, a fourth-year Neurobiology major. When I’m not busy with classes, research, or extracurriculars, I love playing the piano, getting lost in mystery and crime novels, and hunting for new food spots.

Fun fact: my favorite dish is Tahchin!

Arnav Chandan

Hey everyone! My name is Arnav Chandan and I am a third-year BioSci major. I’m super excited to be one of your coordinators this year for the program. I previously tutored for Bio 93 and Bio 94 and loved every second, so I’m really happy to be here to support our tutors and help you guys out. Outside of my classes, I’m also a DL for Bio 2A, I’m super passionate about research and love to watch movies. If you guys have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email any time and I would be more than happy to chat about my experience as a BioSci major here at UCI as well as anything else related to BSPT!

Varun Ajith

Hi everyone! My name is Varun and I'm excited to be one of the BSPT Coordinators this year! As a previous tutor for both Bio 93 and Bio 94 (last year), I think this program is super special because it is free and easy to access, as well as the fact that it is taught by students who take that same class before! BSPT has saved me many times, whether I was struggling with an entire concept or had a question right before a midterm. In my free time, I enjoy reading books, trying new foods, as well as working in my Alzheimer's research lab! If you need any help or advice getting into research labs or classes to take, please feel free to ask any of us! We're here for you!

BSPT Tutors

Bio 93: Williams & Thompson-Peer

Punthita (Pauline) Lerngutai

Hi, I’m Pauline Lerngutai and my major is Biology (hoping to specialize in human bio!). I come from Bangkok, Thailand, so feel free to ask for any food recs and cheap eats :) I’m so excited to have joined the BSPT program, which I hope will help you to love biology as much as I do!

Kaleb Rolle

Hi! My name is Kaleb. I’m a second year Biological Sciences major. I’m from Redlands, California. When I’m not studying for my classes or doing assignments I enjoy playing the saxophone (I play mostly Alto and Soprano but I also play Tenor). I also enjoy going to the beach, traveling, and most outdoor activities. I really enjoy having conversations about anything so don’t be afraid to ask me questions about whatever is on your mind. I’m looking forward to meeting you all this quarter and good luck this fall!

Cody Nagamine

Hi everyone! My name is Cody Nagamine, and I am a second year Biological Sciences major. I will be one of your peer tutors for Bio 93 with Williams and Thompson-Peer. Outside of school, I love cars, driving, running, and hanging out with my friends. I am so excited to meet you all! Good luck this year!

Bio 93: Boutros, Wood, Green

Xinyi (Kimberly) Wang

Hi! My name is Xinyi Wang, you can also call me Kimberly, and I’m a sophomore Bio Sci student at UCI. I’m from Sichuan, China, which is also the hometown of hotpot and pandas. In my free time, I like to watch detective films and listen to smooth music. Happy studying:-P

George Nasir

Hi everyone! My name is George and I am a second year at UCI majoring in BioSci. I love all things neuroscience and hope to someday become a physician scientist. Outside of academia some of my hobbies include gaming, photography, and hanging out with my cat. Feel free to reach out whenever about anything, I really like discussing the philosophy of neuroscience though just to let you know. If you are taking Bio 93 I hope that I can be of help!

Lily Tran

Hi everyone! I’m Lily and I’m a 2nd year Biological Sciences major. I’m super duper excited to be a Bio 93 peer tutor for the trio!! I can’t wait to help you guys succeed during your 1st year since BSPT review sessions saved me so much last year :)) On campus, I work for UCI housing operations and am involved in a few clubs. Outside of school, I like going to the gym and trying new matcha spots. See you guys around and good luck this year!

Bio 97: Thornton & Long

Kyle Futaba

Greetings! My name is Kyle Futaba. I am a third-year Human Biology major and one of the peer tutors for Bio 97 Genetics for Fall 2025. I approached the course as if it was a quarter-long puzzles class, and look forward to doing it all over again with you!

Besides classes, I work at the Center for Student Wellness and Health Promotion and research with the Laboratory for Neurophysiology and Deep Phenotyping. For hobbies, I perform across and outside Orange County with Seishun Taiko, visit my alma mater down the street (Uni!), and play test for my game development friends. I hope to study abroad one of these days (hopefully Japan).

Siddharth Reddy

What’s up guys! My name is Sid and I’m one of your peer tutors for Bio 97 this quarter. I’m a 3rd year BioSci major on a premed track. I love working out, eating good food, and I love teaching as well. Feel free to reach out to me if you need any help or if you have any new food recommendations.

Bio 97: Kvon & Bardwell

Victoria Vo

Hi everyone! My name is Victoria, and I’m one of your peer tutors for Professors Kvon and Bardwell’s BIO 97 class. I'm a fourth-year BioSci major, and I aspire to pursue an MD/PhD in dermatology-related fields! I'm gene-uinly so excited to help you unravel the dense curriculum of genetics and knock out any confusion you may have along the way. It's fascinating to me how the intricate fabric of life all starts from four nitrogenous bases, and I aim to inspire you all to find your own interest in this course as well! Aside from tutoring, I also work with UCI SCORE to provide ochem mentorship! In my free time, I paint and explore matcha places around SoCal, so I'm taking suggestions :) Don't be afraid to stop by my office hours or send a message on Discord at any time. I look forward to meeting all of you! If BIO 97 were thymine, you'd definitely be its base pair because I can already see an ‘A’ in your transcript!

Kendra Paterson

Hi everyone! My name is Kendra and I'm a third year Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major. I am truly looking forward to being one of your Bio 97 tutors this year, as genetics is one of my favorite biology concepts and I adored this class when I took it last year. Outside of school, I enjoy different fiber arts (such as knitting, crocheting, and cross stitching), playing video games with my friends, and trying to replicate fancy teas and coffees that I find at home. I can't wait to meet you all and have a fantastic quarter with everyone in Bio 97!

Bio 97: Cinquin & Warrior

Cassidy Azores

Hello everyone! My name is Cassidy Azores, and I am a third year Biological Science major. I am so excited to be one of your Bio 97 peer tutors this quarter, honestly my favorite Bio class I took here so far! I’m a sucker for a good mendelian genetics question. Outside of class, I’m a UCI tour guide as well as one of the student coordinators for the program and involved in research about retinal degeneration under Dr. Seiler where I work with DNA samples and PCR. I love creative writing and playing video games, especially RPGs, in my free time!

Robert Hull

Hello! My name is Robert Hull, and I was born and raised here in California. I am currently a senior here at UCI, however I transferred here after two years at IVC. I am pursuing a career in the medical field with an interest in the Emergency Room. I was recently licensed as an EMT which will serve as a great stepping stone in this pursuit. I love the study of Biology and look forward to helping anyone with it.

Bio D103: Sutterlin & MacGregor

Andre Tran

Hey everyone! I'm Andre, a fourth year Biology major, and I am so excited to be your peer tutor for D103 this Fall quarter! I took D103 last year, and I found the course to not only be stimulating and challenging, but very enjoyable at the same time. I hope that I can foster the same passion that I feel for D103 to the students of this quarter through my position as a tutor. When I am not studying, I enjoy hiking, collecting Lego flowers, and gyming. I look forward to meeting you all, and feel free to reach out!

Elaheh Jalali

Hi everyone! My name is Elaheh Jalali, and I am a fourth-year Biology major. I’m so excited to be one of your D103 peer tutors this quarter! D103 has definitely been one of my favorite classes at UCI. I really enjoyed learning about the details of cell biology, and I look forward to helping you all succeed in it as well. Outside of classes, I’m involved in an Alzheimer’s research lab and volunteering. In my free time, I love reading, cooking and baking, and spending time with my family and friends. I can’t wait to meet you all! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions :)

Bio E109: Connor & German

Sarah Yoo

Hi! My name is Sarah Yoo and I am a third year Biological Sciences major. E109 was one of my favorite UCI courses and I am excited to be a peer tutor this quarter! Outside of class, I am involved in research and volunteering. In my free time, I love spending time outside, listening to music, and starting fun projects. I am looking forward to working with everyone, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Lavanyah Kugan

Hi everyone! My name is Lavanyah and I am a fourth year Neurobiology major. I am excited to be on of your E109 peer tutors, as it was my favorite bio class I’ve taken at UCI! Outside of classes, I work with eating disorder teens, which I am passionate about, and am involved with neurobiology research at the Patterson lab. I’m also part of the classical dance team Avahita at UCI! In my spare time, I love to read, watch K-dramas, watch 90s/early 2000s sitcoms/movies, and go to the gym. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all, feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Sasha Patel

Hi! My name is Sasha and I'm a third year Neurobiology major. I'm excited to be one of the peer tutors for Bio E109 this quarter. Outside of academics, I'm very involved in neuro research both on and off campus. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with friends, trying new restaurants, and reading. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Bio E109: Sullivan

Ian Chen

Hey! I am a third year Bio Sci student and took E109 during summer of 2024. On my free time, I enjoy playing tennis and biking. A highlight of the past summer was studying physics abroad in the UK. Ask me questions about anything and I’ll do my best to answer!

Roksana Gharibgard

Hello! My name is Roksana and I'm a 4th year BioSci major. E109 has been one of my favorite classes at UCl because It gave me a deeper understanding of how human body systems work, which is something I’m very interested in. I'm really looking forward to tutoring for this class as I’ve found this program to be very helpful, and hope you guys do too! Outside of school I like outdoor activities like hiking/running/swimming and l'm currently trying to get into chess more :) I wish you all luck for the quarter and can’t wait to meet you guys!

Catherine Le

Hi everyone! My name is Catherine, and I am a fourth year Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major. I took E109 last year and enjoyed the class a lot. I am excited to be one of the E109 peer tutors this quarter and hope to make the course an enjoyable experience for you all, as well. Outside of classes, I am involved in research. In my spare time, I enjoy staying active, reading, and trying out new recipes. Looking forward to meeting you all soon!

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