Dr. Covert received a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, and continued his education to receive a PhD in Bioanalytical and Physical Chemistry. He has worked in two national laboratories during his academic career: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States and the Swiss Light Source in Switzerland. During his 7 years of research, he spent his time teaching a variety of Chemistry labs and developing the Instrumental Chemistry course curriculum. Taking a break from teaching, Dr. Covert worked for 5 years in the industry at Agilent Technologies as an LC/MS Applications Scientist and Lead Trainer on Single Quadrupole instruments and software.

He thrives on motivating students to learn by connecting theory to real-world experiences and is determined to bring this expertise to the classroom to expose students to what a scientist’s life is really like. His goal as a teacher is to pass knowledge on to his students so that they can pass their knowledge forward to others. His passion for teaching stems from a constant curiosity to learn something new. He can be frequently found browsing articles and researching random topics just for the sake of learning something new, from the history of submarine warfare to how light particles interact with metal. His favorite thing to do outside the classroom is play video games with his wife and daughter, and practice new recipes in the kitchen.

Ms. Jayapal brings a rich blend of academic excellence, professional dedication, and personal passion to her role at BASIS Independent Dublin. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering with Distinction from Madras University, graduating in the top three percent of her class, and later completed a Master of Science in Applied Data Science from the University of San Diego. She has also pursued extensive continuing education, earning certificates in Programming and Python Data Structures from the University of Michigan and completing advanced coursework in Applied Data Science, including Applied Data Mining, Applied Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning. In addition, she has completed 13 core units in Early Childhood Education at Ohlone College in Fremont.

Having experienced the value of a BASIS Independent Schools education firsthand as a parent, Ms. Jayapal is deeply aligned with the school’s mission and rigorous academic environment. She appreciates the challenging curriculum and believes strongly that each student brings unique strengths to the classroom. She is committed to creating a warm, engaging learning environment where students feel empowered to participate, ask questions, and develop confidence.

Ms. Jayapal approaches teaching with a clear sense of purpose. She is dedicated to understanding concepts deeply so she can present material to students in a clear, structured way that supports genuine comprehension. Her primary goals include guiding students in building strong conceptual foundations and cultivating productive learning habits. She finds it especially rewarding to witness students grow academically and achieve excellence.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Jayapal enjoys spending time outdoors—hiking, camping, and taking long walks. She is also a licensed Zumba instructor, bringing her enthusiasm for movement and wellness to all she does.