Peer Tutors

Maria Azcona-Baez, Avery

Maria is a senior 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 and Blacker

Graciela is a Junior 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.

Grace Davis, Venerable

Grace is a sophomore majoring in chemistry with a possible minor in English. In addition to peer tutoring, she's a peer advocate and swimmer. She has always enjoyed writing—both creatively and academically—and hopes to help build students' abilities to express their thoughts confidently and coherently in their work. In her free time, Grace is an avid reader and lover of any outdoor activity.

Shan Gupta, Lloyd

Shan is a sophomore in Lloyd studying electrical engineering. He used to hate writing, but, after spending years struggling with it, he found himself enjoying how mere words could be used to make lofty arguments. Shan wants to help others who are just like him, those who may be nervous when putting their thoughts to a page or may just hate spending time typing at a computer, to show that writing can unlock creativity and connection. Outside of coursework, Shan enjoys watching reruns of sitcoms, reading, and spending time with family.

Renee C. Hsu, Avery

Renee is a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She is especially interested in the applications of mechanical engineering to the world of biology. Currently, she is researching the biomechanics of Drosophila in the Dickinson lab and applying computational fluid dynamics to the cardiovascular system in the Gharib lab. As a Hixon tutor, her goal is to not only help develop students' writing projects but to also reinforce strong writing practices and skills that can be used in the future. In her free time, she loves to bake and pen poetry. She is a current member of Dabney and Avery house.

Ritali Jain, Avery

Ritali is a sophomore studying Applied and Computational Mathematics. As a Hixon writing tutor, Ritali hopes to inspire her students to develop a genuine appreciation for writing while helping them navigate their own writing challenges. She views writing and communication as essential components of any field, particularly in scientific research and discovery. In addition to supporting students as a Hixon writing tutor, Ritali also represents Avery House on the Academics and Research Committee for Undergraduates, in addition to serving as a Peer Academic Coach for multiple subjects.

Aurelia H. Kuester, Fleming

Aurelia is a sophomore majoring in bioengineering. In addition to peer tutoring, Aurelia serves on the BOC and ARC and plays for Caltech's soccer and track and field teams. As a tutor, she hopes to help students improve their writing skills and increase their love of writing. In her free time, she enjoys soccer, running, hiking, and reading.

Juan Luchsinger, Blacker and Dabney

Juan is a senior 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.

Indeever Madireddy, Venerable

Indeever is a sophomore majoring in Bioengineering. As a Hixon writing tutor, Indeever hopes that he can instill in his students an appreciation for language and help them tackle their writing endeavors. He also believes that writing and effective communication is a core part of any scientific inquiry and pursuit. Indeever's favorite genre of writing is persuasive writing as it is vital forsharing one's perpective. Indeever is excited to work with students of all levels, including first-year students looking to strengthen their foundations from high school.

Priscila Marquez, Dabney

Priscila is a sophomore studying chemistry. She is currently working in the Reisman group and enjoys organic chemistry specifically total synthesis! She enjoys reading and writing about history because it allows her to expand her knowledge! As a Hixon Writing Center Tutor, she hopes to put her skills of helping students, as she is currently a Chem 1ab TA, in writing so they can find enjoyment in the humanities field. In her free time, she enjoys going out to eat, hanging out with her parents/cat, and listening to music!

Rohan Mehta, Venerable

Rohan Mehta is a sophomore majoring in physics. He's especially interested in using ideas from physics to study things people don't usually think of as physics-y – like biology, or neural networks! In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and reading science fiction and fantasy books. As a peer tutor, he's looking forward to reading and helping to develop others' writing, especially creative writing.

Aramis Mendoza, Avery and Ricketts

Aramis is a senior 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 junior 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 junior double majoring in mechanical engineering and English with a minor in aerospace.  As a tutor, she hopes to help her peers find writing to be less daunting and gain confidence in expressing their ideas.  Outside of the HWC, Isabella is one of the social directors of Lloyd House and is a member of PARSEC.  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 senior 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 senior 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.

Faiza Shabibi, Lloyd

Faiza is a junior 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, Avery and Dabney

Arden is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in computer science with an interest in problems at the intersection of astronomy and computer science. In past summers, she has traveled to Copenhagen and Sydney to work on computational projects probing for ultra-high-redshift galaxies, the galaxies from the earliest days of the universe; and utilizing a new method of detection aiming to find circumbinary planets by observing their dynamical effects on stellar orbits. She is curious about questions that can have a profound impact on our understanding of our place in the world and our humanity. As a peer tutor, Arden hopes to offer a people-first space for writers to comfortably share their thoughts and express their creativity. In their free time, Arden likes to cook tasty food and go climbing.

Aaban Syed, Avery

Aaban Syed is a junior 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.