Hi, I’m Beza Taddess.

I'm a PhD candidate in Sociology at Princeton University. My research examines how social inequality becomes biologically embedded, tracing the pathways by which early-life experiences, environmental stressors, and social disadvantage shape long-term health outcomes. Much of my work uses DNA methylation and epigenetic aging measures to investigate these processes in children and across the life course.

My published and forthcoming work spans health disparities, social demography, and biomedical sociology. Recent projects include a study of Black women’s health before and after COVID-19 (forthcoming in the American Journal of Public Health), an investigation into how early-life stressors shape biological aging in children, and collaborative work on racial disparities in severe maternal morbidity. I’ve also contributed to research on socioeconomic and genetic contributions to cardiometabolic health, published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.

My graduate training is grounded in demography, health disparities, and advanced quantitative methods, including instrumental variables analysis, survival models, and machine learning approaches.

Read more on my CV

My Approach

I believe the best mentoring doesn't just solve today's problem—it builds skills students carry forward. My work is grounded in the same rigor I bring to my research: clear thinking, honest feedback, and a focus on what actually works. I take the time to understand each student's goals, challenges, and how they learn best, then build a plan around those insights.

Clear structure

I break complex work into manageable steps. Whether it's a research paper, a demanding course, or a long-term goal like college admissions, students leave each session knowing exactly what to do next—and why it matters.

Lasting skills

My goal isn't just to help you get through the next assignment—it's to help you become a stronger thinker and writer along the way. I teach you how to work through problems, build compelling arguments, and approach challenges with confidence. The skills we build together are yours to keep.