About Me
Hello, I am Samuel Dada
I am a Nigerian-British scientist who graduated in 2025 with a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. My research investigated protein misfolding mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases under the supervision of Professor Michele Vendruscolo, specifically focusing on alpha-synuclein phase separation and its role in Parkinson's disease pathology. I have authored and co-authored seven publications in high-impact academic journals, including Nature Communications, Science Advances, PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), ACS Central Science, and eLife.
My academic journey began with a BSc in Biochemistry at Kingston University, followed by a research master's at UCL studying how nutrients and microbes regulate host health using C. elegans models. During my studies, I worked as a research assistant at Imperial College London and taught molecular biology practicals at New York University.
Beyond research, I am deeply passionate about science communication and representation in STEM. I have contributed extensively to science outreach through the Salters' Institute, where I was a co-host on their podcast Zwittering On, created educational videos promoting science communication to young children, and served as a Salters' Chemistry Champion. I have also worked with Hello Bio as a guest writer and conference moderator, sharing insights about the PhD journey and maintaining a positive mindset in research. Additionally, I have collaborated with Education in Action and presented at renowned establishments such as Eton College, furthering my commitment to making science accessible and engaging.
I served as the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer at ReachSci, a charity dedicated to enabling research opportunities for underrepresented groups. I was also a co-founder of the Cambridge Black Graduate Society at the University of Cambridge, and led initiatives like Leading in Black. I maintain a YouTube channel documenting my experiences as a Black man in academia, believing in the importance of visible role models and accessible science communication.
I have gained valuable corporate experience working with Start Codon, Life Science Dynamics, Procter & Gamble (P&G), and ZS (a life science consultant management consultancy firm), which has broadened my perspective on the intersection of science and industry.
Through my research and communication experiences, I recognized the need to bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific discoveries and public understanding. This passion for making science accessible to everyone led me to create SciSense.
Why SciSense?
SciSense exists to democratise scientific knowledge. Complex research should not remain locked behind technical jargon and paywalls, inaccessible to the very people who could benefit most from understanding it. The public deserves accessible information about medical treatments, research advances, and the discoveries that shape our world.
By unwrapping complex research into digestible, understandable content, SciSense bridges the gap between cutting-edge discoveries and everyday understanding. Whether you are a student, a curious mind, or someone seeking to understand the latest medical research, SciSense makes science accessible, engaging, and relevant to your life.
Accessibility
Making complex research understandable for everyone
Innovation
Using technology to bridge the gap between science and society
Education
Empowering people with knowledge and understanding
Experience SciSense Content
Watch, listen, and learn from our latest content across platforms
YouTube
Watch our podcast episodes featuring in-depth discussions on the latest scientific research.
Spotify
Listen to SciSense on the go. Perfect for your commute, workout, or learning time.
TikTok
Get your daily dose of science. Quick, engaging, and educational content.
Why I Built SciSense: A PhD Student's Solution to Research Overload
During my PhD, I spent hours every week trying to understand dense research papers. The jargon was overwhelming, the methods were confusing, and by the time I finished reading one paper, I barely had time to start the next. I knew I was not alone - millions of students, researchers, and curious minds face the same struggle every day.
That frustration became my motivation. I wanted to build something that could take complex scientific papers and make them accessible - not dumbed down, but genuinely understandable. Something that could save researchers hours of time while helping the public engage with science in a meaningful way.
The Problems I Encountered
- Research papers are written for experts, not learners. Even as a PhD student, I often struggled to understand papers both within and outside my immediate field. For the general public, this barrier is even higher.
- Time is precious. Reading a single paper thoroughly can take hours. Researchers, students, and professionals simply do not have time to read everything they need to. Worse still, sometimes you reach the end only to realise the paper is irrelevant to what you are working on - all that time wasted.
- Science communication is inconsistent. Some papers get media coverage that oversimplifies or sensationalises findings. Others - equally important - get ignored entirely.
- Audio learning is underutilised. Many people learn better by listening, but there is no easy way to turn a research paper into an engaging audio experience.
The Solution: SciSense
SciSense uses AI to transform complex research papers into clear, engaging content. Here is what makes it different:
- AI-Powered Summaries: Upload any research paper and receive a plain-language summary that captures the key findings, methods, and implications.
- Podcast Generation: Turn papers into conversational audio content - perfect for commutes, workouts, or multitasking.
- Article Creation: Generate well-structured articles that explain research in an accessible, engaging format.
- Accuracy First: Unlike generic AI tools, SciSense is designed specifically for scientific content, ensuring summaries are accurate and faithful to the original research.
- Accessible: Everyone deserves access to scientific knowledge. SciSense offers uploads to ensure accessibility.
- Built by a Researcher: I understand the nuances of academic writing because I have lived it. SciSense is designed with researchers' needs in mind.
Why This Matters
"Science should not be a puzzle reserved for experts. Every breakthrough - from new cancer treatments to climate solutions - affects all of us. We deserve to understand it."
Whether you are a student trying to keep up with your reading list, a journalist covering scientific developments, a patient researching treatment options, or simply someone curious about the world - SciSense is here to help you engage with research on your terms.
Ready to make sense of science? Upload your first paper today.