Hi, I'm Danny — a cell biologist with a DPhil from Oxford and First Class Physics degree from UCL. I've helped many students gain confidence and understand challenging concepts, from GCSE right up to undergraduate level.
I've completed a DPhil in Biochemistry at the University of Oxford and studied Physics at UCL (graduating with a First Class Honours), so I bring a genuinely cross-disciplinary perspective to tutoring. Whether it's untangling a tricky mechanics problem, dissecting calculus, or making cell division click, I try and find ways to make concepts make sense.
I've spent two years formally supervising Oxford undergraduates and masters students in the laboratory, and I teach in a way that hopes to build real understanding as well as helping with exam technique. My sessions are relaxed, encouraging, and always structured around what you need.
I'm also a published researcher and have presented my work at international conferences. I genuinely love science — and I hope to bring that enthusiasm into every session!
Oxford DPhil 2021–2025UCL Physics 1stMRC ScholarAcademic Rep of the Year
Subjects
What I teach
I tailor every session to your curriculum, exam board, and learning style. All sessions begin with an honest assessment of where you are and what you need most.
⚛️
Physics
From forces and motion through to advanced mechanics, my MSci in Physics from UCL gives me the depth to take you from GCSE through to A-Level with real confidence.
GCSEA-Level
📐
Maths
Strong maths is central to my work, and I focus on helping students build genuine confidence in core areas — algebra, calculus, statistics, and mechanics — alongside a clear, systematic approach to exam questions.
GCSEA-Level
🔬
Biology & Cell Biology
My DPhil research gives me a strong grounding in cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology, which I use to help students understand challenging content.
GCSE
💷 Session Rates
GCSE (Maths, Physics, Biology)£45 / hr
A-Level (Maths, Physics)£55 / hr
Free intro call✓ Included
Block booking discounts available. Please get in touch to discuss.
Availability
Mon–Fri EveningsSat AfternoonsSun AfternoonsExam season flexibility💻 Online
I keep my student numbers manageable to give each person my full attention. Currently taking new students — get in touch to check current availability.
My Approach
How I teach
Every student learns differently. My sessions are structured but flexible, and I always adapt to what's working — and what isn't.
01
Diagnose & Plan
We start with a free intro call to understand your goals, curriculum, and any gaps. I build a session plan around you — not a generic syllabus.
02
Build Real Understanding
I focus on why things work, not just how to answer a question. Students who understand the concept can answer questions they've never seen before.
03
Track & Adapt
Every session ends with a clear sense of progress and next steps. I adjust the pace and approach as confidence builds, and I'm always available by message between sessions.
Reviews
What students, parents & references say
★★★★★
"My son already had 4 sessions physics tuition with Danny. He explained the content of the lesson very well. Danny is punctual and my son enjoys working with him. I highly recommend him."
Jennifer (Parent)
First Tutors · Verified Review · Aug 2018
★★★★★
"Danny is very easy to talk to and is excellent at explaining concepts and new areas of knowledge to people less familiar with the area. His patient and meticulous approach is fantastic."
"Danny has been brilliant so far. Clear and prompt communication and he has built a positive and relaxed relationship with my son. This is important as now my son feels comfortable and trusts in the tutoring, he is already feeling better about overcoming his struggles in A-Level Physics. Thank you Danny!"
Ellie (Parent)
First Tutors · Verified Review · April 2026
Ready to get started?
Book a free 10-minute intro call. No commitment — just a chance to chat about what you need and see if we're a good fit.
DPhil-trained cell biologist with deep expertise in CRISPR genome engineering, mammalian cell-based assay design, and super-resolution microscopy. Looking for opportunities at the interface of biology, imaging, PROTAC degraders, and precision science.
Oxford Biochemistry DPhil 2021–2025Medical Research Council ScholarUCL Physics MSci First Class Honours 2017–2021
15+
CRISPR Cell Lines Engineered
4yr
Oxford DPhil
2
Published Papers
2
Symposiums Organised
8+
Microscopy Methodologies Used
Experience & Education
Career Timeline
Oct 2021 – Oct 2025
DPhil in Biochemistry
University of Oxford · Barr Lab (Prof. Francis Barr)
Investigated regulatory mechanisms controlling mitotic checkpoint signalling in human cancer cell lines. Designed and validated >15 CRISPR/Cas9-engineered cell lines; contributed data to a successful £1M+ CRUK grant; published in Nature Methods and EMBO Reports. Thesis entitled "Analysis of the molecular mechanisms of mitotic spindle assembly and checkpoint signalling using the HaloTag system".
Supervised undergraduate lab classes and provided day-to-day mentorship for masters students in western blotting, immunofluorescence, CRISPR editing, and super-resolution imaging.
SupervisionTeachingMentorship
2023 – 2024
MRC DTP Symposium Organiser
University of Oxford
Selected abstracts for student talks, organised guest speakers, and hosted sessions for the Medical Research Council Doctoral Training Programme annual symposium.
Oct 2017 – July 2021
MSci Physics — First Class Honours
University College London · Francis Crick Institute (Final Year)
4-year integrated masters covering quantum physics, biophysics, particle physics, and Python/Java programming. Final year project at the Francis Crick Institute with Dr Maxim Molodtsov: "Targeting Magnetic Particles to Specific Cellular Structures Using Light Dimerising Proteins".
PhysicsBiophysicsPythonCrick Institute
Technical Skills
Expertise
🧬
Genome Engineering
CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in & knock-out design
gRNA design & validation
Transfection & nucleofection
Clone selection & genotyping
PROTAC / dTag / HaloTag systems
🔭
Microscopy & Imaging
Super-Resolution: STED, iSIM, 3D SIM, PALM, dSTORM
Cemsidomide: A Molecular Glue for "Undruggable" Cancer Proteins
Multiple myeloma cells depend on IKZF1/IKZF3 to survive — proteins with no pocket for a traditional drug. C4 Therapeutics' cemsidomide is a molecular glue that reshapes a disposal enzyme to tag them for destruction. Their Phase 2 MOMENTUM trial dosed its first patient in February — one of the TPD trials I'm watching most closely.
Standard fluorescence microscopy can't resolve much below 250 nanometres — but a lot of biology happens there. STED uses a second laser to deplete fluorescence around a tiny point, sharpening images well beyond the diffraction limit. I spent much of my DPhil optimising this on the mitotic spindle — one of those images won CRUK's Research is Beautiful award.
Every protein is different — so how do you target them all with PROTACs? During my DPhil, we used CRISPR to engineer a small tag directly into the genome at the protein of interest, then let the cell's own disposal machinery do the rest.
What Are PROTACs? The "Destroy Me" Post-It for Disease Proteins
PROTACs hijack the cell's own recycling machinery to eliminate disease-driving proteins — including ones that were previously considered undruggable. One molecule, multiple targets, and a fast-growing pipeline of clinical trials.
Before starting, I thought my project plan would carry me through. It didn't. Research means following the science, not the plan — and every DPhil student hits a low point. Looking back, I'm really proud of what I built.
Some exciting news! On Thursday I passed my viva for my DPhil in Biochemistry! Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout my degree and made my time in Oxford so enjoyable 🥳🍾
🎉 Excited to share my first paper as 2nd author! From the Barr & Gruneberg labs — this work explores the structure of the Chromosome Passenger Complex (CPC) and suggests a 'pivot–tether' model for how it binds H3pT3-phosphorylated nucleosomes.
It's a microscopy kinda day at the @MicronOxford Bio-imaging Facility, using the awesome Leica Stellaris with TauSTED! Pushing the limits of diffraction limited imaging one sample at a time 💪🏼
Excited to have been selected as one of the winners for @BiochemOxford's Annual Postgraduate Symposium 2024! It was really fun getting to talk about my research, and tackling some pretty tricky questions! 👨🏻🔬
