Our Team at Mathnasium of Rochester

Arun Natarajan

Arun earned a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and also holds an M.S. in Solid State Physics. A passionate math advocate, he believes that mathematical thinking supports success in all fields, from engineering to the arts. 

Arun brings both academic excellence and real-world experience from his role at a Fortune 500 hi-tech company. He dedicates his free time to teaching and learning math and enjoys connecting with students of all ages to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

Susanna Laughland

Susanna holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Winona State University Rochester. With years of experience tutoring and working in Rochester Public Schools, she loves helping students gain confidence in math and reach their goals. 

Her approach is patient and encouraging, making math feel more accessible and fun. Outside the classroom, Susanna enjoys solving puzzles and playing video games, activities that mirror her analytical mindset and love of patterns. 

Marcus Romenesko

Marcus is a Math and Math Education major at Winona State University. He plans to attend graduate school to further explore his passion for mathematics. Marcus enjoys working with students and helping them discover that it’s okay to learn at their own pace. 

He also coaches soccer at a local high school, using his mentoring experience to support students both on and off the field. His goal is to show students that math can be exciting, rewarding, and achievable for everyone. 

Shivam Damani

Shivam is an engineering graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and works as a data scientist at Mayo Clinic. He brings his strong STEM background to Mathnasium, where he focuses on helping students think critically and solve problems with confidence. 

Specializing in test prep for middle and high school students, Shivam hopes to prepare kids not only for academic success but also for real-life challenges. In his free time, he enjoys running, cooking, and reading. 

Aaditya Natarajan

Douglas Plager

Doug Plager has a Bachelor degree in Chemistry with a Mathematics minor from Winona State University and a Doctorate degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (U of MN). He has over two decades of experience in biomedical research and associated data handling and presentation at the U of MN and Mayo Clinic, as well as recent data analysis coursework using Python and R. Doug has tutored and taught intermittently throughout his undergraduate and postgraduate years. He has also assisted with Math Masters and instructed younger students as a basketball coach and as a judge at the Rochester Regional Science Fair for over a decade. Doug greatly values education and is passionate about helping his students advance their knowledge and skills to reach their full potential.

Clayton Eitel

Clayton Eitel is currently in the final steps of completing his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science from the university of Hawai’i at Hilo. He has performed research in many disciplines, including artificial intelligence and pharmacology. He founded the Math and Physics club and tutored at his university, aiming to create a space where students can learn and grow together. During his spare time, he enjoys fishing and playing card games. He wishes to share his genuine love for mathematics with students and to inspire them to curate their dreams.

Jerusha