Katie J.

Katie's path to medicine has been shaped by both rigorous research and direct patient care. As a research assistant in the Han Lab at USC, she contributed to the Finance, Cognition, and Default Network in Aging study, which investigated whether changes in financial decision-making among older adults serve as an early indicator of cognitive decline. She also worked in Dr. Rita Barakat's lab, where she explored the cognitive benefits of bilingualism on executive function. Beyond the lab, Katie gained clinical experience as an EMT with Mountain States EMS and currently works as a medical assistant at an OB/GYN practice in Denver, Colorado.

Katie has also dedicated herself to public speaking and mentorship. As a National Speech and Debate Association champion in Lincoln-Douglas debate, she continued competing at USC as a recipient of the Trojan Debate Scholarship. While she competed in both policy and British parliamentary debate, her passion increasingly shifted toward coaching. As Director of Curriculum on USC’s team, she organized practices, taught strategic concepts, and led skill-building exercises. She also serves as an assistant coach for her former high school’s debate team, helping students develop their arguments, confidence, and public speaking abilities. 

Throughout her time at USC, Katie was dedicated to service. Through Blueprints for Pangaea, she helped redistribute unused medical supplies to communities in need and led an initiative addressing hypertension disparities in South Central Los Angeles. As Director of Outreach for Share A Meal, she helped recruit new members while supporting efforts to provide food and essential hygiene supplies to unhoused individuals throughout Los Angeles. Her commitment to community health and equity reflects the same values she brings to tutoring: meeting people where they are and helping them reach their goals.

As an MCAT tutor, Katie emphasizes deep conceptual understanding and strategic test-taking over rote memorization. She is especially strong in the CARS and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior sections. Her sessions are tailored to each student's strengths and challenges, blending targeted content review with practice strategies. Katie's goal is not only to help students achieve higher scores but also to build the confidence and problem-solving skills that will serve them throughout their medical careers.