Peer Tutors

Maria Azcona-Baez, Avery

Maria is a junior chemical engineering student. She is currently working in the Greer Group to investigate the finer details of 3-D printing metal structures. She is passionate about discussing writing techniques and hopes to help students navigate this space with as much fun as possible. In her free time, she likes reading fantasy/science fiction, writing short stories, and playing video games.

Graciela Bachu, Avery/Blacker

Graciela is a Sophomore in Computational & Neural Systems (CNS). In addition to tutoring, she also TAs CS1. She is passionate about communication on the whole, and how communicating is a science in and of itself. Aside from that she, hopes to help students have an easier and more rewarding time at Caltech, and is especially happy to work with first-year students to support their transition.

Nachiket Bhanushali, Venerable

Nachiket is a senior majoring in physics. His research experiences in the Caltech Precision Timing Lab, Hutzler Lab, and the Yao Group at Harvard have shaped his belief in the importance of science communication. He believes that being able to communicate one's research to both expert and general audiences is key to becoming an efficient scientist. As a tutor, he hopes to share his writing experiences so he can support students in achieving their writing goals, while also improving his own skills as a writer. In his free time, he enjoys watching films, hiking, and reading.

Emily Choe, Venerable

Emily is a junior majoring in computation and neural systems. She loves the process of writing, from brainstorming, to writing the first draft, to editing and finalizing the piece. She hopes to be an approachable and resourceful peer tutor. Apart from academics, she likes yoga, earrings, and diving.

Nico Jimenez-Lozano, Page

Nico is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering. He tutors at the writing center to help other students better understand themselves as writers so that they can more effectively communicate their ideas. In his free time, Nico likes to listen and play music, go outdoors, and cook/bake.

Juan Luchsinger, Blacker/Dabney

Juan is a junior studying mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering. He most recently did research in the modeling of solid rocket propellant burn with the Solid Mechanics Research Group. He also enjoys both creative and academic writing, and hopes to help students become better science communicators through writing. He likes to spend his free time hiking and playing video games.

Aramis Mendoza, Avery and Ricketts

Aramis is a junior studying mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering. She is currently working as part of Caltech's NASA Big Idea Challenge 2022 Team in mechanical design for aerospace applications. She is passionate about connecting with others through writing and exploring identity through creative writing pieces. In her free time, Aramis enjoys listening to music, watching movies, and late-night driving in the city.

Ama Obeng, Lloyd

Ama is a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering. She is interested in exploring how to use mechanical engineering to create and improve sustainable products. During her childhood, Ama was usually found with her nose in a book, reading through the adventures of Percy Jackson, Magnus Chase, and Nancy Drew. As a peer tutor, she hopes to support students with their writing endeavors and help students deepen their passion for writing. In her free time, Ama loves playing basketball, cooking, and reading.

Isabella Pagano, Lloyd

Isabella is a sophomore double majoring in mechanical engineering and English with a minor in aerospace.  She is currently researching conditions for thermal autoignition in combustible fluids in the Shepherd Group.  As a tutor, she hopes to help her peers find writing to be less daunting and gain confidence in expressing their ideas.  In what free time she finds on campus, she loves to bake and read almost any form of literary fiction.

Isabelle Ragheb, Avery

Izzy is a junior studying mechanical and aerospace engineering. In addition to her interests in cooling systems and air-breathing engines, Izzy is also passionate about literary analysis and creative writing. Striving to be an approachable and welcoming tutor, Izzy hopes to demonstrate the power of effective writing to as many of her peers as possible. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, baking, painting, and of course, reading.

Lily Randall, Page

My name is Lily Randall, and I am a junior in Geochemistry. Writing has always been something I both enjoy and used to struggle with. As a tutor I hope to help others understand the ways they struggle with writing and help them find ways of getting passed that to create a paper they're satisfied represents their ideas. I also love running, music, and drawing in my free time.

Heidi Redmond, Venerable

Heidi is a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering on the Biomolecular Track. She's fascinated by the process of writing, especially when considering that effective writing isn't necessarily the result of a formula, as students are sometimes taught, but is instead the creative application of rhetorical tools. Heidi believes that good writing lures a reader into considering its ideas and perspectives, and loves helping others unlock this power within their own writing. In addition to being a rhetorical enthusiast, Heidi plays Double Bass in the Caltech Symphony Orchestra and in her free time loves to crochet, read, and listen to her Oldies playlist.

Faiza Shabibi, Lloyd

Faiza is a sophomore majoring in materials science with a biology minor. She is interested in tissue engineering and nanoscale medical devices. As a peer tutor, she hopes to give students the chance to overcome their roadblocks and gain more confidence in their ability to tackle larger projects. She also hopes to allow students to express their creativity through writing. In her free time, Faiza loves fiction writing and watching shows she's already seen a million times.

Arden Shao, Dabney

Arden Shao is a sophomore studying computer science. Currently, they are in the process of revising a text from their summer research in ultra-high-redshift galaxies. They enjoy writing as an expressive form of reflection and art, are particularly fascinated by topics like intersectionality, and favor books with a strong psychological aspect. As a peer tutor, Arden hopes to offer a people-first space for writers to comfortably share their thoughts. Outside of academics, they have performed K-pop dance covers with the Caltech Dance Club and like going skateboarding and climbing with friends.

Aaban Syed, Avery

Aaban Syed is a sophomore in Electrical Engineering, researching ultrasound applications with electromagnetic devices. As a tutor, he hopes to help students improve their communication skills in expressing their academic and research work. In his free time, he enjoys competing on the Caltech Track & Field and Swim & Dive teams as a pole vaulter, sprinter, and diver.

Alexis Wang, Avery

Alexis is a senior studying Computer Science. Reading and writing have been a longtime love of hers, from poetry to articles on Medium. As a tutor, she hopes she can help others find their voice and passion in the things they wish to communicate and share. Outside of HWC, she enjoys walking, traveling, watching movies, swimming, and, as a native New Yorker, exploring her hometown.

Tao Zhang, Ricketts

Wentao is a senior majoring in biology with an emphasis in neuroscience. He is currently researching nuclear pole complexes at the Hoelz lab. He hopes that he can help students enjoy writing a little more and better communicate their scientific ideas. He spends his free time swimming and reading high fantasy novels.