About us
Advanced Biology Academy is a PhD-led learning program designed for students who want more than standard classroom instruction. Our courses combine rigorous scientific thinking with clear, structured teaching that makes complex biology understandable, engaging, and useful for real academic success.
We offer three carefully designed program tiers that range from school-year preparation, to in-depth support during the academic term, to career and pathway orientation, allowing families to choose the level of guidance that best fits their goals. All programs are small-group and in person, ensuring every student is seen, supported, and challenged.
Parents choose Advanced Biology Academy because we provide serious academic quality, personalized attention, and a thoughtful program structure that supports students from preparation, through mastery, and toward future opportunities in science.
Programs
The Blueprint Program is designed to prepare students before the school year begins. It gives students a clear roadmap of the entire biology course so they understand what the major units are, how they connect, and which topics matter most. Instead of entering the year reactively, students begin with structure, direction, and a plan.
Students see the “big picture” of biology—how ideas build across units and why early topics matter later. This allows them to focus their effort from day one and avoid feeling lost as the year progresses.
This program is ideal for students who want to start the school year confidently, prefer to understand the full structure before diving into details, feel anxious about fast-paced science classes, want to know what topics deserve the most attention, and like having a clear academic plan rather than guessing as they go.
Students engage through guided sessions that map out the full biology curriculum. They learn what each major unit covers, how topics connect across the year, and which concepts serve as foundations for later learning.
Discussions connect topics across units so students see biology as a system, not a list of chapters. Students ask questions, explore relationships between topics, and learn how to organize their study approach before the year even starts.
Many students struggle in biology not because the material is too difficult, but because they don’t yet understand which topics will matter most later in the year. Often, students only realize the importance of early chapters when later units depend on them—at a point when it is already difficult to go back and rebuild understanding.
The Blueprint Program prevents this problem by showing students, in advance, how the year is structured and how early concepts support later learning. When students know which ideas will become foundational, they can invest their time and attention more strategically from the very beginning.
This early clarity leads to stronger preparation, less stress, and more efficient learning throughout the school year.
Blueprint is a small-group, in-person program led by a PhD-trained scientist and educator. Sessions last about six hours and are organized into focused learning blocks.
Students move through curriculum mapping, concept connections, discussion, and guided planning. The structure is clear but flexible, adapting to student questions while maintaining strong learning goals.
Blueprint is offered before the school year begins, typically in late summer. Families start by joining the interest list, which helps determine exact dates and locations.
Families on the interest list receive first notice when sessions are finalized and enrollment opens.
This program is a small, in-person group experience lasting about 6 hours with structured materials provided, offered for $349 plus tax, with a $50 deposit required to secure your spot upon registration.
Sessions are held in carefully selected rented spaces in Orange County, primarily in the Irvine–Anaheim area. Final locations are shared once groups are confirmed.
Blueprint is shaped by advanced scientific training, university research experience, and real classroom teaching. The program is led by a PhD-trained scientist and AP Biology teacher who understands both what schools teach and what students are expected to know later.
Rather than offering general advice, Blueprint provides a structured academic roadmap built on real curriculum knowledge, scientific understanding, and classroom-tested methods—giving students a serious advantage before the year even begins.
The Deep Dive Program is built around targeted, topic-specific learning. Each Deep Dive focuses on one major biology unit, allowing students to strengthen weak areas, refine important skills, or explore topics of special interest in greater depth.
Instead of moving broadly across many subjects, students choose the units they want to improve or master. Sessions are designed to clarify difficult concepts, reinforce core ideas, and build strong understanding through step-by-step explanation and guided practice.
This approach allows students to take control of their learning—focusing their time where it matters most, whether that means repairing gaps, preparing for upcoming units, or deepening understanding beyond the classroom.
This program is ideal for students who:
- Are motivated but need clearer structure.
- Want to strengthen weak or confusing biology topics.
- Feel overwhelmed by fast-paced classroom instruction.
- Care about real understanding, not memorization.
- Want to feel confident before major tests or units.
Students engage through focused, small-group sessions centered on one major unit at a time. Each session combines clear concept breakdowns, guided problem-solving, visual explanations, and structured practice with feedback. Students are encouraged to ask questions, explain ideas in their own words, and apply concepts in different ways. Learning is active rather than passive, helping students build confidence through understanding.
Many students struggle not because they lack ability, but because key ideas were never fully understood the first time. Once gaps form, new topics become harder to learn. Deep Dives prevent this by slowing down where it matters most. When students truly understand core ideas—such as cell processes, genetics, or energy systems—everything else becomes easier. Strong foundations reduce stress, increase confidence, and support long-term academic success.
Deep Dives are delivered as small-group, in-person learning sessions designed for focus, clarity, and depth. Each Deep Dive centers on one major biology unit and is taught in a structured sequence that moves from core concepts to application.
Sessions typically run for about six hours and are organized into focused learning blocks with breaks in between. Students move through explanation, guided practice, discussion, and application, allowing ideas to be reinforced in multiple ways.
Groups are intentionally small to allow for questions, individual feedback, and active participation. Instruction is highly organized but flexible, adapting to student needs while maintaining clear learning goals for each session.
The program offers coverage of the following units:
Cell Structure & Function (membranes, transport, organelles, specialization, cell anatomy).
Biomolecules & Enzymes (Structure-function, reactions, inhibition, real-world links).
Photosynthesis (Two stages of photosynthesis, pathways, variables, experiments).
Cellular Respiration (Multiple stages, yields, comparisons).
Cell Cycle & Mitosis (Stages, regulation, cancer links).
Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction (Variation, errors, life cycles).
Mendelian Genetics (Punnett Square, genetic calculations, problem types, and scenarios).
Molecular Genetics (Central dogma, mutations, regulation).
Evolution (Mechanisms, data interpretation, scenarios).
Ecology (Water cycles, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, interactions, human impact, modeling).
Mentorship is a limited-enrollment program offered multiple times per semester. Families begin by joining the interest list, and sessions are scheduled based on interest and location demand.
Families on the interest list receive first notice when dates are finalized and enrollment opens.
This program is a small, in-person group experience lasting about 6 hours with structured materials provided, offered for $499 plus tax, with a $50 deposit required to secure your spot upon registration.
Sessions are held in carefully selected rented spaces in Orange County, primarily in the Irvine–Anaheim area. Final locations are shared once groups are confirmed.
Biology Deep Dives are led by an instructor who earned a PhD with special honors from a leading European medical research institute and is also a certified AP Biology teacher. This rare combination ensures that advanced scientific knowledge is taught in a way that aligns with real school curricula and exam expectations.
Rather than offering scattered hourly tutoring, each Deep Dive is a structured, small-group learning experience with clear objectives, organized materials, and guided practice. Families receive an intensive six-hour program designed to produce meaningful understanding in a short, focused time.
The value lies in depth, structure, and expertise. Instruction is shaped by advanced scientific training, university-level research experience, and classroom-tested methods, making each hour efficient, intentional, and highly effective for student learning.
The Mentorship Program helps students place biology within a broader academic and real-world context. Rather than focusing on single units or short-term performance, the emphasis is on perspective and direction—understanding how biology is used beyond the classroom and how science-based careers actually work in practice.
Students learn how different fields such as medicine, research, biotechnology, and health sciences operate day to day. Assumptions are replaced with realistic insight, helping students understand what these paths truly involve.
This program is designed for students who are curious about medicine, research, biotechnology, or health sciences; want more than grades and test scores; enjoy thoughtful discussion; and want help translating interests into real academic and career options.
Students engage through guided, discussion-based sessions that connect biology learning with real-world context. Each session combines structured prompts with open conversation, allowing students to ask questions, explore ideas, and think critically rather than passively receive information.
A broad overview of major biology-related career paths—such as medicine, research, biotechnology, and health sciences—is introduced. Students examine what these fields actually involve and reflect on how different roles align with their own interests, strengths, and challenges.
Discussions link school subjects, personal curiosity, and real scientific examples. Conversations evolve based on student questions, helping students take ownership of their learning and think intentionally about both their current studies and future possibilities.
Many students study biology without understanding how it connects to real careers or long-term goals. This can make learning feel abstract, overwhelming, or disconnected from life beyond school.
Mentorship provides perspective. Students gain a realistic understanding of how biology is used in medicine, research, biotechnology, and health-related fields—and what those careers actually look like day to day.
For example, many students imagine scientific research as mostly lab experiments. In reality, academic and laboratory careers often involve large amounts of time spent on experimental design, data analysis, writing papers, applying for grants, teaching, and leading teams. Hands-on lab work is only one part of the job. Understanding this early helps students form realistic expectations and make better-informed decisions.
By connecting schoolwork to real-world practice and personal interests, students become more motivated, more focused, and more intentional. They begin to see which skills matter most, where to invest effort, and how today’s learning shapes tomorrow’s opportunities.
Mentorship is offered through small-group or individualized sessions led by a PhD-trained scientist and educator. Sessions combine biology discussion, career perspective, and academic guidance in a flexible format that adapts to student questions and interests.
The program can stand alone or complement other programs by helping students connect preparation and mastery to real-world purpose.
Mentorship is a limited-enrollment program offered multiple times per semester. Families begin by joining the interest list, and sessions are scheduled based on interest and location demand.
Families on the interest list receive first notice when dates are finalized and enrollment opens.
This program is a small, in-person group experience lasting about 6 hours with structured materials provided, offered for $379 plus tax, with a $50 deposit required to secure your spot upon registration.
Sessions are held in carefully selected rented spaces in Orange County, primarily in the Irvine–Anaheim area. Final locations are shared once groups are confirmed.
Mentorship sessions are shaped by a rare combination of academic excellence, international research leadership, industry experience, and classroom teaching. Having worked across multiple scientific fields and career paths, guidance is based on real-world insight—not generic advice. Students receive thoughtful, informed direction from someone who has navigated research, industry, and education firsthand.
Upcoming Dates
Initial programs are expected to begin in late summer or early fall in the Irvine–Anaheim area. Exact dates and locations are finalized based on interest list responses. Families on the interest list receive first notice and early enrollment access when details are confirmed.
Initial programs are expected to begin in late summer or early fall in the Irvine–Anaheim area. Exact dates and locations are finalized based on interest list responses. Families on the interest list receive first notice and early enrollment access when details are confirmed.
Initial programs are expected to begin in late summer or early fall in the Irvine–Anaheim area. Exact dates and locations are finalized based on interest list responses. Families on the interest list receive first notice and early enrollment access when details are confirmed.
Academic Leadership
Advanced Biology Academy is guided by a clear academic philosophy: strong preparation comes from understanding how high school learning connects to university-level expectations. Program design and academic direction are led by Dr. Thomas Spaeter, whose background spans advanced research, higher education, and secondary teaching—allowing the academy to bridge what students learn now with what will be expected of them later.
Dr. Spaeter brings a rare combination of scientific depth and classroom experience. His work in research, teaching, and curriculum design ensures that programs are built not just around test performance, but around true scientific understanding, academic discipline, and long-term success.
Academic leadership is grounded in:
- PhD with special honors in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
- Author of over 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications
- Recipient of multiple research and academic awards
- Author of two books, including one on longevity and health
- University-level research and teaching experience
- AP Biology and high school biology teaching experience
- Expertise in curriculum design and scientific reasoning
This combination allows Advanced Biology Academy to prepare students from both sides of the academic system—understanding what high schools teach, and what colleges expect. Programs are designed as structured learning pathways that guide students from early preparation, through mastery, and into future academic and career opportunities in science.