Hi, my name is Daniel Hejlik. I am a scientist at heart, and my curiosity began while growing up on a farm in north-central Iowa, where I wondered why baby animals sometimes looked different from their mothers. I later became fascinated by the stars in the dark Midwestern sky, the area’s Devonian-era fossils, and microscopic aquatic life.

I earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Iowa, where I was a Presidential Scholar, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and joined Alpha Chi Sigma, a professional chemistry fraternity. I later earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Case Western Reserve University and then conducted postdoctoral research in cancer genetics and molecular biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center here in Houston.

I homeschooled my two daughters in science, mathematics, and the humanities for ten years, continuing to support them through high school and dual-credit coursework. More recently, I taught high school chemistry and conceptual physics. My involvement with a Scouting troop revealed how much I enjoy mentoring young people.

I primarily tutor science. Science is best mastered through understanding the underlying principles and mechanisms rather than relying on memorization of facts and formulas. I begin with what each student understands and, when necessary, reinforce foundational ideas before moving forward. Because students learn differently, I present material in multiple ways, using diagrams, charts, simple props, and demonstrations. My goal is to help students understand the reasoning behind each step and apply what they have learned confidently and independently.