Our staff is built to teach each student individually, to develop the skills they need to thrive in mathematics, and to foster a love of learning.

Abby Lou

Assistant Center Director
Abby carries a degree in Applied Mathematics and a passion for teaching. As a devoted math teacher it's her goal to make the world of numbers come alive for her students, infusing math with the same excitement her professors shared with her. Teaching isn't just a profession either – Beyond the classroom, her caring nature extends to her family and friends, always eager to lend a helping hand. She finds joy in exploring new places, seeking adventure alongside the people she cares about. Here's to a journey where math, motherhood, and a sense of wonder all come together to create a beautiful symphony of experiences. Favorite Number: 5. Fun Fact: Her cat really likes hugs. Favorite Math Joke: I cannot say “no problem”, because I'm a math teacher.

Joshua Villalpando

Assisstant Center Director
Joshua received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance. He found mathematics to be a core component of certain aspects of the financial industry, and he grew an immense passion for mathematics during this time. He finds the abstractions and puzzle-like questions within mathematics intriguing. This has led him to currently pursue a Graduate Degree in Statistics. Naturally, he wants to share his passion and make a profound impact on the students who come through our learning center so that they can see the true AWESOMENESS of math! Favorite Number: 0. Fun Fact: He enjoys playing the piano! Favorite Math Joke: Teacher-Why are you turning a blank sheet of paper? Student-Because all of my answers are imaginary.

Eric Yang

Lead Instructor
Eric Yang is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, currently pursuing a single subject teaching credential in Mathematics. Numbers made sense to him, so much so that he tried to relate it to every subject somehow. Whether it was patterns between historical dates, data from a science experiment, poetic devices with rhyme schemes, or even the percentage of color in a work of art, there were always numbers involved. Inspired by his own teachers from his education, he willingly supported his peers and family with their understanding of math. Besides his interest in math, he loves to draw and play video games, and he uses his math knowledge to better enjoy both. Favorite Number: 3. Fun Fact: Bird owner; one lovebird and one cockatiel. Truly the dinosaurs of the present day. Favorite Math Joke: Why was the function always in the passenger seat? Because its derivative is the d(e)river.

Stephen Caplanis

Instructor
Stephen Caplanis is a fourth-year student at CSULB studying mathematics with an option in math education. Stephen has greatly enjoyed learning both math and life sciences throughout his educational career and hopes to inspire the same passion in other students. Stephen has always enjoyed the process of figuring out how to solve a problem he was previously unable to. He plans to continue teaching math once finished with college. Aside from his study of mathematics, Stephen enjoys rock climbing and collecting Yoyos. Favorite Number: e. Fun Fact: He can play the saxophone. Favorite Math Joke: I can do algebra, I’ll even try calculus, but graphing is where I draw the line!

Swas Shiv

Instructor
Swas is a first-year student at UCI, pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Being involved with STEM-related activities since his youth, engineering quickly became his lens from which to view the world. Though interested in a variety of applications, he’s found the most joy and impact in developing devices such as surgical robots and prosthetic devices which aid the field of medicine. Working as an AP Physics instructor in high school, he has garnered experience in developing meaningful relationships with students, and learned to take advantage of its catalyzing effect on educational growth. Outside STEM, Swas enjoys discovering new music, obsessing over cars, and spending time outdoors. Favorite Number: 7 Fun Fact: He was born in India! Favorite Math Joke: What did one math book say to another? "Don't bother me, I've got my own problems!"

Hana Bawani

Instructor
Hana is a senior at Mission Viejo High School and is planning to major in Biomedical Engineering. Throughout high school, math and science have always fascinated her, so she hopes to pursue a career engineering medical devices that help people. Additionally, Hana has always had a passion for helping those younger than her in their math classes, and has fostered an understanding to maximize others potential in mathematics. Aside from mathematics, Hana also enjoys playing tennis and baking. Favorite Number: 29. Fun Fact: She's left handed! Favorite Math Joke: How do you make seven even? Subtract the “S”.

Aarav Sinha

Instructor
Aarav Sinha is a high school senior aiming for a mechatronics engineering major in college. He has had a passion for STEM and the robotics world ever since he started with Lego robotics, but knew he wanted to Pursue robotics after participating in his first robotics competition. He loves learning all about math, and trying to explain the fringe concepts he picked up along the way to his friends, and ended up helping many fellow students at the same time. Other than math, Aarav has always been a big fan of professional automobile racing, and all water sports. Favorite Number: 5. Fun Fact: He enjoys racecars! Favorite Math Joke: What did the zero say to the eight? Nice belt.

Bilal Siddiqui

Instructor
Bilal is a new high school graduate and is currently attending Irvine Valley College. His major is Electrical Engineering, which has stemmed from his love for science. He's loved math from a young age but wasn’t always good at it. As such, he was once in the same place as many of the students at Mathnasium, and was getting help from a tutor. His experience has helped him and now he has the opportunity to help others. Outside of the classroom some of his hobbies include basketball, video games, watching movies, and reading occasionally. Favorite Number: 9. Fun Fact: He has a cat. Favorite Math Joke: What is a math teacher's favorite season? Summer.

Ryan Zwatschka

instructor
Ryan Zwatschka is currently a Senior at Trabuco Hill High School. He is also in the IB (International Baccalaureate) program at his school. He has enjoyed mathematics from a young age and helping other students to understand the tricky problems mathematics can bring to the table. His dedication to math has inspired him to apply to colleges in pursuit of a STEM related major. During his free time he loves spending time with his cat. Favorite Number: 1. Fun Fact: He enjoys running track and field. Favorite Math Joke: What is a butterfly's favorite subject in school? Mothematics!

Our Mathnasium Mission

Teach children math so they understand it, master it, and love it. Math can change their lives, and they can change the world.

What I love about Mathnasium is the ability to teach problem-solving skills and make math make sense, while also making a student smile.
Amber W., Mathnasium Instructor

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