Jan
University of Aberdeen
PhD Environmental Science
Graduate
DBS
62About Me
Hello! My name is Jan, and I am an accomplished scientist, certified examiner, and passionate educator with over 15,000 hours of instruction across international curricula, including IB DP, A-Levels, IGCSE, and university-level sciences.
I hold a PhD in Environmental Sciences, along with degrees in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Geography. Having worked as a Lead Research Scientist and an official examiner for IB and A-Level Biology, Chemistry, and ESS, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to excel academically. I bridge the gap between high-level scientific research—from high-altitude ecosystems to global climate policy—and accessible, practical exam strategies that get real results.
My goal is to make complex concepts clear, engaging, and enjoyable. I believe that every student has enormous potential when given the right guidance, structure, and motivation. Whether you are aiming for top grades in your school exams, tackling challenging entrance tests, or preparing for competitive university interviews, I tailor every session to your unique learning style and goals. I am excited to support you on your academic journey and help you build the confidence, skills, and mastery needed to achieve your highest ambitions
My teaching style
My teaching style is dynamic, interactive, engaging, and entirely audiovisual, moving far beyond traditional lectures to bring complex scientific and academic concepts to life. I integrate high-level problem-solving skills, real-world case- and data-driven studies, and rigorous exam practice with a student-designed study approach, ensuring that every session is co-created around the student’s personal learning goals and curiosities.
To achieve this, I combine rich visual didactic materials—such as interactive spatial maps, diagrams, and multimedia scientific datasets—with a systematic, empirical framework. Drawing from my experience as a PhD scientist and Certified Examiner, I pair this visual and interactive delivery with diagnostic sub-topic assessment architecture and insider exam mechanics. This synthesis of engaging, multimedia-driven exploration and disciplined, data-backed assessment transforms passive learning into active analytical mastery, building both deep conceptual clarity and exam confidence.
My past experience
I am an accomplished educator, NERC/QUADRAT-funded PhD scientist, and Certified IB Examiner with over 15,000 total instructional hours spanning top global universities, elite international schools, and specialised 1-on-1 tutoring. Over the past several years, I have logged over 14,000 hours of direct 1:1 tutoring alongside specialised digital learning delivery.
My institutional teaching experience includes four years of academic research across leading UK higher education institutions, where I delivered undergraduate courses in Physical Geography, Botany, Ecology, and Geoscience, and led geological field expeditions across Europe. I have also taught in person and remotely in IB DP and AP Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS) cycles at top global partner institutions, including the American School of Barcelona, Harrisburg Academy, Clinton College, International School of Uganda, Deutsche Schule Shenyang, and Wellington College.
My pedagogical scope covers secondary, pre-university, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels across Biology, Chemistry, ESS, Geography, Geology, and Medical/Science Admissions. I possess expert knowledge of all major exam specifications, including IB DP (SL & HL), AP, and A-Level (AQA, OCR [A & B], Edexcel, CIE, Eduqas [WJEC], and CCEA). As an active Certified Examiner, I train students to decode command terms, master marking schemes, and navigate assessment mechanics, such as the Multiple Choice to True/False transition. My structured, data-driven framework—incorporating diagnostic micro-assessments, high-yield active recall systems, and rigorous metacognitive training—consistently yields 80–85%+ of my students reaching top grades in their given curriculum, with students regularly achieving elite top marks (A/A* at A-Level, Grade 9 at IGCSE, 7/7 or 40+ final grades in IB, 5 in AP) with a 30–40%+ average grade improvement rate.
My Proudest Achievements
Elite Academic & Research Excellence
Earned a PhD in Environmental Sciences with Distinction (funded by NERC/QUADRAT) from the University of Aberdeen and Queen’s University Belfast, focusing on high-altitude tropical and montane ecosystem resilience. Awarded the Repsol Sinopec Excellence Scholarship throughout my BSc.
Global Climate Leadership & Publications
Published peer-reviewed research in leading academic journals such as Geosciences. Featured and published work alongside contributions to The Economist, and served as a presenter at various conferences like SAGES and Climate Change Conferences (COP 26), with a focus on tropical montane biomes.
Proven Student Grade Success
Maintained a track record where 80–85%+ of my tutees achieve top grades in their curriculum, with students regularly securing A/A* at A-Level, Grade 9 at IGCSE, 7/7 or 40+ final grades in IB, and 5 on the AP exam. Successfully helped dozens gain entry to top world universities, Oxbridge, Ivy League, and elite medical schools.
Official Examiner Credentials
Serving as a Certified IB & A-Level Examiner in Biology, Chemistry, and ESS (IB), utilising insider insight into marking criteria and structural assessment shifts to develop high-impact diagnostic question banks.
Educational Impact
Delivering over 15,000 hours of instruction in remote settings, complemented by multilingual fluency, to share inspiration and awaken passion in students from all around the world.
I teach
- Australian Medicine Interview
- Dental Hygiene Interview
- Dental Therapy Interview
- Dentistry Interview
- Oxbridge Interview
- Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM)
- Medicine Interview
- Paramedic Science
- ESAT
- ENGAA
- NSAA
- BMAT
- MCAT
- GAMSAT
- GAMSAT ANZ
- IMAT
- UCAT
- UCAT ANZ
- HPAT
- ISAT
- CASPER
- ICAS
- GRE
- GMAT
- TSA
- Verbal Reasoning
- GAT
- ACT
- ACT (US College Admissions)
- SAT (US College Admissions)
- MLAT
- A-Level Re-take Tutor
- 16+
- Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Electronics
- Environmental Science
- Geology
- Zoology
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Science
- Earth Sciences
- Ecology
- Food Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Physical Science
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Bio Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Anatomy
- Agriculture
- Human Geography
- Human Biology
- Microbiology
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Physical Geography
- Research Methods
- Essays
My Results and Achievements
- Australian Med Interview: MMI Spec | PhD Lead
- Dental Hygiene Interview: Clinical | 15k Hrs
- Dental Therapy Interview: Panel Coach | PhD
- Dentistry Interview: Top Offers | Examiner
- Diagnostic Radiography Interview: Panel Coach
- GEM Interview: Helped 10+ Offers | MMI Lead
- Medicine Interview: 10+ Offers | Ex-MMI Lead
- Nursing Interview: Ethics Prep | 15k+ Hrs
- Optometry Interview: Panel Coach | Reader
- Oxbridge Interview: PhD Lead | 100% Offers
- Paramedic Interview: MMI Prep Specialist
- Pharmacy Interview: Clinical Coach | PhD
- Physician Associate Interview: Ex-Panellist
- Veterinary Interview: Bioscience | MMI Prep
- ACT: 99th %tile Science | US Coach | PhD
- BMAT: 5A S3 | Top 10% S1 | Top 5% S2
- CASPer: Ethics & Situational Judgment Lead
- ENGAA & ESAT: Top S1/S2 | Science Lead
- GAMSAT: Top Score Sec 3 | PhD Science Lead
- GAT: High %tile Logic & Ability Spec
- GMAT & GRE: Top %tile | Quant Spec
- HPAT: High %tile Reasoning Specialist
- IMAT & ISAT: Top Science | PhD Educator
- MCAT: 95th+ %tile Bio/Chem | PhD Sci
- TSA & MLAT: Sec 1 Critical Thinking Lead
- NSAA: Top Score | PhD Chem/Physics Coach
- SAT: 99th %tile Sci/Math | PhD Lead
- UCAT: Top 3% VR | Top 5% QR | Top 10% AR
- 16+ Admissions: Distinction Track | PhD
- A-Level Re-takes: Grade A* Focus | Examiner
- GCSE/A-Level Science: Certified Examiner
- Biology: IB & A-Level Certified Examiner
- Chemistry: Certified IB Examiner | 15k+ Hrs
- Physics & Physical Sci: Geophysics Lead
- Electronics: Applied Science | Exam Spec
- Env Sci & ESS: Certified IB ESS Examiner
- Geology & Earth Sci: PhD Geoscientist Lead
- Zoology & Ecology: MSc Bio | NERC Lead
- Biochemistry: Distinction | Uni Reader
- Biomedical Science: PhD Bioscience Educator
- Food Science: Applied Bioscience Lead
- Physical Chemistry: PhD Level | 15k+ Hrs
- Medicine: PhD Lead | 10+ University Offers
- Dentistry: Certified Examiner | Uni Reader
- Agriculture: PhD Environmentalist | Speaker
- Anatomy & Physiology: Reader | MC-TF Spec
- Bio Sciences & Biotech: NERC Lead | MSc
- Essays & Research: NERC Research Lead
- Geography: 1st Class BSc | Remote Sensing
- Neuroscience: PhD Level | Bio Distinction