Dancan Githirwa

MOVE Fellow - Chemistry Prompt Maker & Reviewer

Handshake AI

May 2025 - Current (1 year 3 months)

Developed 50+ domain-specific prompts to evaluate AI performance in specialized PhD-level chemistry topics, improving model accuracy by creating targeted test cases across organic synthesis, spectroscopy, and biochemistry domains. Evaluated AI-generated responses for scientific accuracy, clarity, and relevance, ensuring outputs meet rigorous academic standards for graduate-level chemistry applications.

Chemistry AI Trainer

TELUS Digital

Mar 2025 - Aug 2025 (6 months)

Creating PhD level Organic Chemistry prompts to improve the reasoning capabilities of AI models.

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Chemistry Intelligence Analyst

Mercor.io Corporation

Feb 2025 - May 2025 (4 months)

Validated scientific integrity of 200+ human and AI-generated chemistry prompts and responses by applying PhD-level expertise to assess adherence to established principles and methodologies. Refined chemical data interpretations and provided quality assurance feedback, increasing content reliability by establishing systematic review protocols for technical accuracy.

Self paced Learning

NA

Jan 2025 - Current (1 year 7 months)

As a Self-Paced Learning enthusiast, I have dedicated myself to exploring various subjects independently, focusing on enhancing my knowledge and skills through online courses. I have self-taught myself about AI models, which I have utilized to create engaging PowerPoint presentations and develop applications that streamline my workflow. This ongoing learning journey has allowed me to integrate AI as a valuable companion in my daily tasks, making my work more efficient and effective. Additionally, my background in data curation and chemistry has provided me with a strong analytical foundation, enabling me to approach learning and problem-solving with a scientific mindset.

Graduate Research Assistant

Binghamton University

Aug 2018 - Nov 2024 (6 years 4 months)

Designed and characterized 4 novel pH-Low Insertion Peptide (pHLIP) variants that expanded functional pH range from 6.0-6.5 to 6.0-7.0, improving targeted chemotherapy delivery for solid tumors. Improved doxorubicin delivery selectivity by 3-fold through pHLIP conjugation, as measured by antiproliferation cell assays comparing targeted vs. non-targeted delivery in 3 independent trials. Developed and validated CEO photo-crosslinking method in 10+ trials, achieving 85% success rate in capturing residue-specific peptide-membrane interactions—enabling precise mapping of insertion mechanisms. Executed 35+ biophysical experiments (fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism) to define pH-specific intermediates and insertion profiles, advancing

Organic Chemistry Teaching Assistant

Binghamton University

Aug 2018 - Nov 2024 (6 years 4 months)

Taught 120+ undergraduate students per semester through lab instruction, office hours, and exam proctoring, maintaining 4.2/5.0 average student evaluation rating. Graded 500+ lab reports annually using Turnitin, providing constructive feedback that improved average student performance by 15% semester-over-semester.

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Quality Control Intern

Kenya Pipeline Company

Jan 2017 - May 2017 (5 months)

Recertified 1,000+ batches of petroleum products (gasoline, AGO, kerosene, Jet-A1) using ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards, ensuring 100% compliance with national and international quality specifications. Conducted 200+ analytical tests (flash point, distillation, density, corrosion) on lubricating oils and fuel products, identifying 5 batches requiring reinjection to meet quality standards.

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