Ph.D. Organic Chemistry · 15+ Years Teaching
From General Chemistry to advanced Organic, Dr. Sean Devine brings a Ph.D. from UC Irvine and a decade and a half of university teaching into focused, one-on-one sessions designed for high school and college students.
"To educate is to become educated."
That insight, shared by a professor in Dr. Devine's own sophomore year, became the guiding principle of a 15-year academic career spanning institutions from Cornell to UC Irvine to St. Mary's College of Maryland.
Dr. Devine holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from UC Irvine, where he trained under Professor David L. Van Vranken and published pioneering research in palladium-catalyzed carbene chemistry. He has since devoted himself to one purpose: making chemistry genuinely understandable — and even exciting — for students at every level.
Now based in Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Devine brings that same university-level expertise directly to high school and college students through personalized tutoring sessions, in-person or online.
The same curiosity that drives Dr. Devine into the outdoors is what he brings into every tutoring session — a genuine love for exploration and discovery.
Whether you're struggling with reaction mechanisms, confused by equilibrium, or just need a patient expert to walk you through problem sets — Dr. Devine meets you where you are.
Stoichiometry, thermodynamics, atomic structure, equilibrium, acids & bases, electrochemistry — covered with clarity and real-world relevance.
High School · College IntroReaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, spectroscopy, synthesis strategies. Dr. Devine literally published research on organic reactions — he knows this material cold.
Orgo I & II · Pre-Med · Pre-Pharmacy"If you simply test students for facts they will learn the facts — if you test them for problem solving, they will become better thinkers."
— Dr. Devine's Teaching Philosophy
Dr. Devine's goal isn't to get you through an exam. It's to give you a toolkit — critical thinking, systematic problem-solving, and the confidence to tackle chemistry challenges on your own. Every tutoring session is built around active engagement, not passive note-taking.
Core Objectives for Every Student
Dr. Devine has authored three peer-reviewed publications in leading journals — Organic Letters and Angewandte Chemie — on palladium-catalyzed carbene chemistry. He knows the science at its deepest level.
Reach out to book a session, ask a question, or discuss what you're working on. Dr. Devine is happy to chat about your specific course, upcoming exams, or areas you want to strengthen.