Desirae Nance
Meet Desirae Nance - Expert Science, Math & English Tutor
Desirae Nance is an accomplished chemical engineer and published researcher who earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Hampton University (3.3 GPA). Residing in Alexandria, Desirae focuses her tutoring on families across the Alexandria and Arlington areas. With a rich background in laboratory research, youth STEM outreach, and residential leadership, Desirae brings a patient, highly adaptable, and structured approach to tutoring. She excels at breaking down fundamental concepts into digestible components, tailoring every session to match each student’s unique learning style—whether hands-on, visual, or auditory/musical.
Areas Of Expertise:
Science: Highly qualified in general science and advanced physical sciences, drawing from extensive laboratory research experience across multiple prestigious institutions and a degree in chemical engineering. She specializes in making scientific concepts engaging and accessible for K-8 students.
Mathematics: Confident and experienced in teaching foundational and middle school math. She focuses on breaking down mathematical fundamentals to identify specific areas of confusion and build problem-solving confidence.
English Language Arts (ELA): Skilled in tutoring reading, writing, and vocabulary for elementary and middle school learners. She leverages strong technical writing skills to help students structure clear, effective essays and improve reading comprehension.
Grade Levels: Holds a strong preference and explicit comfort for working with Kindergarten through 8th grade students.
Teaching Philosophy:
"The key to helping a struggling student is not always just agreeing that the subject is difficult but breaking down the fundamentals and identifying the weaknesses that can help solve the issue. The strategy I used to keep students motivated is learning what they like and what is their form of learning. If it needs to be hands on let's try that approach if they are more musically inclined and the repetition helps the information be retained we will take that approach. It's all about taking time and understanding what works best for each individual student."
What Makes Desirae Special:
Published Scientific Researcher: Completed rigorous laboratory research across multiple elite institutions, including Magee-Womens Research Institute (urogynecology clinical research), UC Irvine (biomolecular & chemical engineering), Bayer (sterile disposable medical devices), and Hampton University (polymer synthesis). She is a co-authored published researcher in premier academic journals, including the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG) and Advanced Intelligent Systems.
AIChE President & Youth STEM Leader: Served as President of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) at Hampton University, leading STEM outreach activities and educational initiatives for youth organizations within the local community.
Community Mentor & Sister to Sister Member: Active member of the Sister to Sister Organization, collaborating with the Boys & Girls Club to lead after-school STEM initiatives, health and wellness fairs, and community events such as "Princess Day" for young children.
Experienced Residential Assistant (RA): Served as a 3rd-year Residential Assistant managing a college dorm floor. In this role, she provided direct academic tutoring and homework support to residents while handling clear, professional communication with parents.
USPTO Patent Examiner: Currently works as a Patent Examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, analyzing complex technical information and evaluating data—a skill set that directly translates into helping students master critical thinking and analytical problem-solving.
Education & Achievements:
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Hampton University (Class of 2026, 3.3 GPA).
Publications: Co-author in American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG) (2024) and Advanced Intelligent Systems (2025).
Leadership Roles: President of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE); 3rd-Year Residential Assistant; Sister to Sister Organization Member.
Technical Skills: Technical Writing, Data Analysis, Analytical Testing, Problem Solving, and Team Collaboration.