PrepNow Tutor - Sam K.
Biomedical researcher Sam is passionate about making a difference in how to treat patients with cancer. He is an MD/PhD student studying at Oregon Health Science University. Sam studied pharmaceutical sciences at Purdue University, where he graduated with highest distinction from the honors college. At Purdue, Sam was the recipient of multiple research awards including the Innovative Research award for “trailblazing undergraduate research.” He spent the majority of his undergraduate years working at the Dykhuizen Lab at Purdue studying cancer epigenetics.
Sam’s research during his undergraduate years extended beyond Purdue’s campus. He interned at the Mayo Clinic, where he researched DNA-damage repair. He also served as a summer intern at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke studying neuropharmacology; while there at NINDS, he was given the Exceptional Summer Student Award.
Teaching first appealed to Sam when he was in band in high school. When he arrived at Purdue, he began working as a supplemental instruction leader. This unique program pairs tutors with challenging courses. In his role as anatomy and physiology supplemental instruction leader, Sam led biweekly sessions of ten to fifteen students in addition to smaller sessions with one to three students during office hours. His exam reviews were attended by hundreds of students. In his second year as an instruction leader, Sam also gave feedback to other biology and chemistry tutors—in effect tutoring the tutors. He says, “I love watching students go from being confused about a topic, to being able to explain it to other students in great detail.”
“I enjoy asking students questions and helping to lead them to the answer rather than directly tell them the answer,” Sam explains. Moreover, he argues “that the sign of a good teacher is found in the strength of the questions that they ask.” Though Sam served in traditional tutoring roles—he volunteered for a year in the college of pharmacy—he believes that his background in supplemental instruction deeply impacted his teaching style. “While the teaching methods play out slightly differently in one-on-one situations, many of the principles remain.” Sam’s students showed consistent grade improvement while working with him.
Outside of school, Sam is an avid reader who is currently working toward bettering his cooking skills. In high school, Sam stayed fit playing intramural soccer and tennis. Now he spends plenty of time outdoors. As a recent transplant to Oregon, he is excited to hike and camp in his new state. Sam’s favorite animal is a hedgehog!
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