Meet the Tutors
Dinh Tran
Greetings everyone! My name is Dinh and I’m currently an undergraduate studying both Biology and Chemistry here at Boise State University. A little bit about myself: I’m originally from Vietnam and have lived here in Idaho since 2012. My interest for science started in Mr. McFarland’s high school anatomy class, who had a unique approach towards teaching and sharing his knowledge with others. I love learning and talking about science and one of my favorite pastimes is finding creative ways to share and teach science with others. My other interests include trying new foods, learning Chinese/Japanese, finance and stocks, and reading. I look forward to working with y’all!
Tracy Forbes
Hello, I’m Tracy and I’m a senior in Biology with a CMB emphasis. I do research in Dr. Richard Beard’s Microvascular Pathology lab where we investigate how blood-brain barrier dysfunction contributes to CNS diseases like multiple sclerosis. I love seeing how science can be used to help people with diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s, etc. In my spare time, I love to be outdoors (but only in the summer!) hiking, camping, and swimming. In the winter, I like to hibernate with a good book or a new recipe. I hope you’ll come and see us in the library – we’re excited to talk about science with you!
Jess Desjardin
Hi everyone! My name is Jess and I am a senior this year majoring in Biology with a Cellular, Molecular, Biomedical emphasis. My plan after I graduate in the fall is to apply to Physician Assistant programs. Outside of school, I enjoy reading and pretty much anything outdoors whether that be hiking, fishing, or floating the river. I am excited to meet you and help in any way that I can!
Clare Throm
I am a graduate student in the M.S. biology program and I graduated with my B.S in biology from Boise State in 2023. My research is focused on understanding the effects of wildfires on bat activity. I enjoy fieldwork and spend as much time outdoors as possible! In my free time I love to hike, run, read, write and garden. I’m looking forward to meeting you all in the BLC!
Matthew Brandner
Hi, I’m Matthew. I am a senior majoring in biology with a CMB emphasis with the intention of pursuing a career in medicine as a pediatric physician. Before returning to school, I had worked in the semiconductor industry. During my free time I enjoy hiking with the dog and playing Dungeons and Dragons. Please come visit us in the library!
Sophia James
Hello everyone, my name is Sophia! I’m a sophomore majoring in Anthropology with a One-Health emphasis, and I’m interested in studying medicine. My favorite places to be are local coffee shops like Flying M, or the gym! I love finding creative ways to understand science, whether through silly analogies, exploring unique questions, or finding ways to connect different topics. We hope you’ll visit the tutoring center so we can help you tackle challenging topics and provide study tips for your exams!
Emily Meredith
I am an Associate Clinical Faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences. I teach eight different Biology classes, including Intro to Cell and Molecular Biology (Bio191) and Communication in Biological Sciences (Bio306). I love to mountain bike, cook, hike, and adventure.
Ask me about any Biology class or come chat with me about your path in science—we are all here to help you!