Quick Take: During pilot trials of BioBuddy, Taylor’s presence as an on-screen instructor explaining complex biology concepts, combined with BioBuddy’s stunning visuals, was said to have created a space ideal for visual learners, allowing students to grasp challenging material more quickly and effectively. Now, her engaging style and clear communication is making biology more accessible to students—especially visual learners.
Background: Taylor Nystrom is a 6th-year PhD student in the Biology Department at the University of Virginia (UVA). She is a Jefferson Scholar and was awarded a National Science Foundation Training Grant fellowship.
- Before UVA, she worked as a research assistant at Columbia University, taught middle school science in Brooklyn, and completed her bachelor’s in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado – Boulder.
- Taylor’s research in neuroscience focuses on better understanding the genes and pathways involved in neural stem cell proliferation and neuron production timing.
Why is Taylor’s research important now? With advancements in neuroscience, Taylor’s work comes at a critical time as the need to understand neural stem cells grows, especially in areas such as neurodegenerative diseases. Her passion for science education also aligns with current efforts to bridge the gap between academic research and public understanding, a mission increasingly recognized as essential in modern science.
What She Said: “I find that science is often guarded by lack of exposure and complex jargon, and I am so excited to work with BioBuddy to knock down those barriers to make learning science more accessible AND more exciting.”
What’s Next: Taylor is driven to not only advance knowledge in neuroscience but also to make science education more accessible. Through founding the Biology Outreach and Inclusion Program (BOIP), she aims to strengthen the connection between UVA and the Charlottesville community by engaging the public in science in meaningful ways.
I find that science is often guarded by lack of exposure and complex jargon, and I am so excited to work with BioBuddy to knock down those barriers to make learning science more accessible AND more exciting.
Taylor Nystrom,
BioBuddy On-Screen Instructor
About BioBuddy
We create high quality STEM education resources that improve comprehension for students, enable educators, and give parents the assurance their students have a guide to success.
In the future, we want every student to be able to access everything they need to become successful STEM students on our learning portal. We see a generation of inspired learners who will tackle tomorrow’s problems with confidence.