Tinashe Darikwa
Quality Assurance Technician
Delft
Summary
Dedicated scientist with part-time work experience and expertise in polymer science. Known for attention to detail and strong observational, organizational, and communication skills. Committed to continuous learning and skill development in polymer sciences, excelling in independent and team settings. Self-directed, energetic, and adept at working autonomously or collaborating effectively on group projects.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
12
12
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Student Project
Polyscope Polymers/Maastricht University
01.2019
- Performed research into finding a substitute for styrene monomer in the polymer Styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) with a caffeic acid derivative as a source of biobased content as a student project.
PhD Candidate
Delft University of Technology
05.2021 - Current
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
Internship
Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials
09.2019 - 07.2020
- Master thesis was performed which covers where the aspect of green polymer synthesis and monomer synthesis using biobased building blocks are addressed.
- This was done in biobased polymers group and supervised by Dr Katrien Bernaets with the thesis topic 'A green route towards biobased and melt-processable polyazomethines' which yield viability of hydrothermal polymerisation as greener method of polymerisation of vanillin containing polyazomethines.
Student Project
Quinlyte/Maastricht University
06.2019 - 07.2019
- Performed research in foaming behaviour and material performance of recycled polypropylene/ polyamide-6 materials via extrusion as a student project.
- Performed data/figure processing and operation time-dependant FTIR experiments for this study.
Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician Intern
Prodairy
04.2018 - 06.2018
- Quality assurance team member.
- Performed experiment on dairy product samples to assess standard of all dairy products produced by Prodairy from raw milk to processed product.
- This includes performing quality checks on product material, content and packaging.
Education
Master of Science - Biobased Materials
Maastricht University
09.2018 - 07.2020
Occasional Studies - Chemistry
University of Cape Town
02.2017 - 11.2017
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Cape Town
02.2013 - 11.2016
Cambridge A-Level Certificate - undefined
The Heritage School (Senior Department)
01.2012 - 11.2012
Ph.D. - Materials Science
Delft University of Technology
Delft 05.2021 - 05.2026
Skills
Chemical Idenfication Techniques: NMR, FTIR, MS, GC-MS, UV-VIS
Physcical material Charaterisatio: DMTA, DSC, GPC, TGA, Tensile testing
Rheological analysis
Polymer synthesis
Nanoparticle synthesis
Organic coating
Surface chemistry
Trios
TA Universal Analysis
ChemDraw
Microsoft Office Word
Microsoft Office Excel
Microsoft Office PowerPoint
Laboratory experience
Safety training
Fast learner
Positive attitude
MS office
English Fluency
Time management
Computer skills
Presentation development
Affiliations
- 10/01/20, Attended the workshop on polymers & batteries hosted by PUPV/EHUPOLYMAT.
- 01/01/20, Prepared and presented and got in KNCV (Royal Netherlands Chemical Society) student challenge, University of Groningen.
- 06/01/19, Contributed to the team that participated in Bio-based Innovation Student Challenge Europe (BISC-E) resulting in placed 3rd place.
- 2013 - 2017, Golden Future Tutoring Society; Tutored 25 students aged 14-17 years in mathematics and physics concepts.
Interests
Reading
Molecular Structure (Small and Macro)
Digital Art
Listening to music containing string instruments, especially violins
Leadership Roles
- Sergeant of Arms, UCT Toastmasters, 2017, Venue organising, certificates preparation and welcoming guest to meetings.
- President, Genshiken(UCT) Anime and Gaming Society, 2014, 2015, In charge of the society's direction in terms of events to host, approval of proposals for committee members and supervising the roles being conducted.
- Vice President, Genshiken(UCT) Anime and Gaming Society, 2013, 2014, Acting as the aid for the event organization and takes up presidential role when they are absent.
- Secretary, Golden Future Tutoring Society, 2013, 2014, Performed tasks that involve communication with external parties for the society, looking for sponsors and communication with members of the society and schools.
Software
Wire
Trios (TA Instruments)
Multianazyer (Keyence)
Auto Labs (Metrohm)
ChemDraw
Padel
Recent developed the hobby and I find to be a good team build sports and personally a nice substitute for Squash (Former favorite sport)
Timeline
PhD Candidate
Delft University of Technology
05.2021 - Current
Ph.D. - Materials Science
Delft University of Technology
05.2021 - 05.2026
Internship
Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials
09.2019 - 07.2020
Student Project
Quinlyte/Maastricht University
06.2019 - 07.2019
Student Project
Polyscope Polymers/Maastricht University
01.2019
Master of Science - Biobased Materials
Maastricht University
09.2018 - 07.2020
Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician Intern
Prodairy
04.2018 - 06.2018
Occasional Studies - Chemistry
University of Cape Town
02.2017 - 11.2017
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Cape Town
02.2013 - 11.2016
Cambridge A-Level Certificate - undefined
The Heritage School (Senior Department)
01.2012 - 11.2012