Lucas R.
I'm a passionate tutor and researcher with a strong academic and professional background. I was the top student in my undergrad program for five years straight, which earned me a full scholarship to do an internship at Virginia Tech. That experience led to another full scholarship for my master’s there, and now I’m doing my PhD at UC Berkeley with a full fellowship where I study Air Pollution in India and California.
Before grad school, I worked for six years in the mineral and chemical industry, where I got the chance to work on some really exciting projects (two of which led to patents). I've also presented my research at several conferences, both through poster sessions and talks. Back in undergrad, I spent three years as a TA for linear algebra, and I loved helping students break down tricky concepts into things that actually made sense. I currently mentor junior PhD students in my research group.
Outside of academics and work, I’m a huge fan of travel and running. I’ve been to 28 countries so far and have completed five marathons, with the London Marathon lined up for 2026. I’m inspired by movement. I believe success comes from taking action, but also from being kind to ourselves along the way, enjoying the process, and learning to take and enjoy rest too.
I also really enjoy languages and taught myself French just for fun. I love helping others learn, especially when we can connect ideas across different cultures, subjects, and ways of thinking.
More than anything, I want students to walk away from sessions feeling more confident, not just better at solving problems. Whether you're working through a specific challenge or looking for steady guidance, I aim to provide clear and reliable support.
COLLEGE:
B.S. Mining and Metallurgy | National University of Colombia
M.S. Mining Engineering | Virginia Tech
Ph.D. Environmental Engineering | University of California, Berkeley
Subjects:
Algebra I
Algebra II
Pre-Calculus
French
Spanish
Favorite Subject:
Math
Favorite Study Skill:
Active recall
Favorite Author:
José Saramago
