Ian Jones
Senior Tutor & STEM Specialist
B.A. in Molecular Biology & Cellular Biology, UC Berkeley
Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences & Pharmacogenomics, UC San Francisco

I moved to the Bay Area from Washington state to attend UC Berkeley, where I earned my undergraduate degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. My passion for math and science only grew during my time at Cal and led me to pursue a Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics at UCSF. Throughout my academic journey, I was fortunate to have mentors and tutors who played a key role in my success. Their guidance inspired me to give back by supporting and teaching others.

I’ve been teaching since my undergraduate years, including leading a course on the science of sleep, "The A-Z’s About Catching Your Z’s,” where I facilitated engaging discussions with over 20 students on topics such as sleep and physical health, sleep disorders, and the science of dreaming. In graduate school, I taught introductory courses in biostatistics/computer programming and mentored both high school and undergraduate students. These experiences taught me how much I enjoyed breaking down complex concepts into clear, approachable knowledge. In essence, I live for the journey of empowering other minds to reach their potential. 

As both a scientist and educator, I enjoy leading the exploration of new topics, while emphasizing the connection between learning, curiosity, and overall well-being. I try to strike a balance between positive reinforcement and challenging students to lean into their discomfort of not knowing something. 

Outside of tutoring, you may also find me escaping into fantasy and sci-fi reads, cuddling with my Cat Tasha, and watching a football or basketball game.