1. Dominic Kyalo Muli
3251 Parkview Ave #2, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213. Cell: 520.358.3679. dk.muli@pitt.edu
EXPERIENCE SUMMARY
• Designed, synthesized, purified, and analytically characterized proteolytic FRET-pair beacons with dendritic
cores. These molecular probes are fully water soluble and biologically compatible.
• Developed new chemotype and produced a library (parallel synthesis) of over 300 novel bioactive
compounds within 3 months in an industrial setting. This involved critical problem solving and protocol
execution
• 7+ years’ experience in designing new synthetic routes, multi-step synthesis, and purification of organic
compounds (small molecules, hydrogels, thermally reversible polymers, anticancer compounds, and
peptides) using a variety of techniques, including high throughput LC-MS, recrystallization, distillation,
column chromatography, peptide synthesizers, microplate readers, and automated chromatography
(Waters).
• Proficient in computer software such as MS Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Chemdraw, Scifinder etc
• Extensive experience in characterization of organic compounds using a variety of advanced analytical
techniques, including 1
H NMR & 13
C NMR, mass spectroscopy, LC-MS, IR, UV-Vis, and GPC
• Significant experience in the determination of partition coefficients (Log P), aggregation studies, singlet
oxygen generation via spectroscopic methods, and solubility studies of drug-like molecules
• Successfully synthesized and characterized high swelling hydrogels (polymers) for biomedical engineering
• Broad experience in project design, collaboration, and technical writing leading to numerous scientific
publications and presentations
• Self-motivated entrepreneur leading to increased profits including increasing a budget from zero to a robust
budget of $3,750 in a year that enabled better running of a choir treasury
• Extensive participation in many community service volunteer projects involving project development,
leadership, organization, and empowerment of small groups
• 5 years’ experience in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in classroom and laboratory
environments
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Organic Chemistry August 2015
Dissertation: “Synthesis and Evaluation of Asymmetric Zinc and Phosphorous Pc Photosensitizers for Mitochondrial
Targeted Photodynamic Therapy” Advisor: Dr. Dominic V. McGrath, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona,
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with honors October 2008
Thesis: Carboxamide protecting group stability in peptide solid phase synthesis
Thesis advisor: Prof. P.M Gitu, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
PROFESSIONAL/ RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
University of Pittsburgh-Bioengineering February 2016- Present
Postdoctoral Associate
• Organic synthesis of novel diagnostic and therapeutic molecules
• Nonlinear optical microscopy of cells and tissues, cell culture
• Drafting, editing, submitting, and revising peer-reviewed publications
• Grant writing
• Lab management

2. University of Arizona September 2015- January 2016
Research Associate
• Synthesis of pro-drugs using solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS)
• Design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of thermally reversible polymers
Sanofi-Aventis (Under Drs. Jacques Mauger and JianHui Weng) May-August 2013
Research Intern
• Designed, synthesized and purified more than 300 receptor-targeted array of compounds
• Instruments and methods used for analysis: NMR, LC-MS, throughput LC-MS purification, automated
columns
University of Arizona January 2010-May 2015
Graduate Research Assistant
• Synthesis of ZnPc rhodamine B conjugates for mitochondrial targeted photodynamic therapy
 Designed, synthesized and tested Zinc phthalocyanine rhodamine B dyes that were found to localize
in mitochondria and achieved 70% cell death due improved dye selectivity.
 Better selectivity in anticancer drugs will help cut medical expenses for patients
• Synthesis of Dendritic, non-aggregated water soluble phthalocyanines
 Designed, synthesized and characterized water soluble dendritic phthalocyanine dyes
 Water soluble dyes offer access to diversified materials for pharmaceutical and specialty industries
 Increasing the ease of processability of such materials cuts down production cost and increases
company revenue potential
• Click Chemistry hydrogels for biomedical applications
 Successfully synthesized and characterized high swelling dendritic hydrogels (polymers) with
different monomer formulations
 Hydrogels that can withstand stress are applicable in biomedical engineering and material chemistry
University of Nairobi January 2008-June 2008
Undergraduate Peptide Researcher
• Protecting group stability in peptide solid phase synthesis
 Successfully synthesized and characterized novel carboxamide protected amine scaffolds for
protecting group stability studies
 Solid peptide synthesis is widely applied in pharmaceutical industry for developing new drugs
University of Arizona August 2009-May 2015
Organic Chemistry Lab Instructor
• Effectively taught and supervised undergraduate students in organic chemistry labs
• Far exceeded expectations (according to Chemistry department TA evaluation committee) for effective and
interactive teaching
• Wrote and graded conceptual lab final exams for students
PUBLICATIONS

3. Dominic K. Muli, Pallavi Rajaputra, Youngjae You, and Dominic V. McGrath “Asymmetric ZnPc-TEG
Photosensitizers: the effect of Pc Substitution on Phototoxicity”, Tetrahedron Lett. 2015,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2015.09.101
Dominic K. Muli, Carpenter, B. and Ghiladi, R; and McGrath, D.V. “Dendritic Near-IR Absorbing Zinc
Phthalocyanines for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy”, Tetrahedron Lett. 2015,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2015.01.076
Dominic K. Muli, Pallavi Rajaputra, Youngjae You, and Dominic V. McGrath “Asymmetric ZnPc-Rhodamine B
conjugates for mitochondrial targeted photodynamic therapy” Bioorganic Med. Chem. Lett. 2014, 24(18), 4496-
4500 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.07.082
PRESENTATIONS
• Poster presentation in American Chemical Society (ACS) national meeting Aug 2014 “Asymmetric ZnPc-
Rhodamine B conjugates for Mitochondrial Targeted photodynamic therapy”
• Talk presentation, internship talk at Sanofi Aventis, August 2013
• Poster presentation in American Chemical Society (ACS) national meeting April 2013 “Synthesis of water-
soluble phthalocyanine photosensitizers using click chemistry: Comparison between peripheral and non-
peripheral substitution and application in photodynamic therapy”
• “New photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of cancer” Departmental seminar, April 2013
• “Novel water soluble ZnPc photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy” Departmental seminar, February
2011
AWARDS
• Sanofi Aventis internship (Targeted array synthesis), May 2013-Aug 2013
• Travel grant recipient, GPSC, University of Arizona, 2013
• Travel grant recipient, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 2013
• Far exceeds expectation, teaching evaluation, University of Arizona, 2010-2013
• Dr. A.C.I. De’Souza Memorial prize, best freshman, faculty of Science, university of Nairobi, 2004-2005
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Board Member at a non-profit organization www.abridgetopeace.org. (headquartered at Bend, OR) Jan 2012-
present
• Actively participating in brainstorming, student mentoring and running of a childrens’ home in Kibwezi, Kenya
Student Research Mentor, University of Arizona 2011-2013
• Training and supervising 3 students in synthesis, purification and characterization of organic compounds
Choir Director, and Pianist, St. Cyril of Alexandria, Tucson, AZ Jan 2010-Jan 2016
• Proven success in motivating and organizing approximately 50 low-esteemed choir members while training,
conducting, and playing gospel songs with a group of refugees
Organizing Secretary, St. Paul’s Catholic Chapel, Nairobi, Kenya March 2007-March 2008
• Effectively coordinated and harmonized student activities in an entire chaplaincy
Choir treasurer and Pianist, St. Paul’s Students’ choir, University of Nairobi, Kenya March 2007-May 2008
• Increased a budget from zero to a robust budget of $3,750 in a year that enabled better running of the choir
treasury. Also played and recorded gospel music
Volunteer 2005, and 2007
• Participated in medical clinic and resource center construction under non-profit organizations Nomads
charities (US)and Urafiki/IRFF Kenya
• Kiaoni Youth Group: Initiated a youth empowerment group that focuses on bettering lives of the young
people in Kiaoni village, Kibwezi, Kenya. I have seen as many as 4 students through high school education by
directly and indirectly financing their education. It is among our goals to supply adequate water to the people
of Kiaoni village via sinking a borehole whose proposal I have drafted