Introduction

Hi; please call me Duan! I attended college at UCSD, where I obtained a joint Bachelor's/Master's in human biology with a minor in philosophy. Then, I headed east to Cambridge to get my Ph.D. in Applied Biosciences at MIT doing research on cancer stem cells. After a few years, I realized that I enjoyed teaching undergrads more than I did research, so I came back to California and got my teaching credential in biology.

 

I've been teaching science at SMHS since 2017. For the 2026-2027 school year, I am teaching AP biology and biology. In the past, I have also taught marine biology, Caltech STEM, and chemistry. Despite my background being in STEM, my favorite class throughout all levels of school was English/philosophy😛.

 

Whenever I am not being held hostage by my Velcro child, I enjoy hiking, button mashing, going to live music events, reading, and writing.