Affan A.

Neuroscience | Pre-Dental | Michigan State University | Lyman Briggs College | Researcher

Greater Saginaw-Midland-Bay City Area

About

Experience

  • Junior Research Analyst at Mercor
    May 2026 - Present · 3 mos

    - Providing expertise in evaluating AI-generated responses to enhance reasoning and rigor in model outputs for a top AI lab. - Responsible for feedback to improve training data quality and downstream performance. - Develop detailed well-evidenced rationales beyond surface-level observations. - Collaborate with AI research teams to ensure consistency and coverage across datasets. - Work independently and asynchronously to meet deadlines while improving AI model performance.

  • Research Assistant at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
    Jun 2025 - Apr 2026 · 11 mos

    As a part of the Cannabis Legalization in Michigan (CALM) lab, we recruit patients with high blood pressure from Michigan primary care clinics and cannabis dispensaries for a three-year prospective research study. Existing research on the topic was mainly based on controlled laboratory trials utilizing NIH-supplied cannabis, which differed from cannabis used in the real world. As a result, generalizability and relevance to human health remain questionable. We use a mobile pharmacology laboratory method to collect blood samples and determine the strength of cannabis products available to patients in Michigan.

  • Soccer Referee at Michigan State University
    Sep 2024 - Apr 2026 · 1 yr 8 mos

    Refereed and managed soccer games within the intramural soccer league at Michigan State University Learned certain measures and precautions as a referee towards the game and players. Worked alongside other referees to manage games in an appropriate manner. Underwent constant high pressure situations, detailed analyzation of players, and rapid decision making.

  • Research Assistant at MSU Psychology
    Nov 2023 - Feb 2025 · 1 yr 4 mos

    The primary aim of the Behavior Genetics lab is to examine developmental differences in genetic, environmental, and neurobiological influences on internalizing (e.g., depression) and externalizing (e.g., acting out behaviors) symptoms. Specifically, the Behavior Genetics Lab is interested in studying the role of gene-environment interplay in the development of aggressive and rule-breaking behaviors (collectively referred to as antisocial behaviors). My specific contributions to the study involve SCIFF coding videos of the participants while they participate in the study. I code the videos according to a certain set of grading techniques and asses how the participants interacted with their environment and throughout their participation.

  • Undergraduate Cancer Research Fellow at Michigan Medicine
    Jun 2023 - Jun 2023 · 1 mo

    The University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center offered a 2-week paid fellowship – Pathways to careers in Cancer Care & Research. The Rogel Cancer Center is internationally recognized for its exceptional cancer research across the continuum from basic sciences to translational and clinical research to cancer control and population science. The paths fellowship program featured educational seminars on cancer and several career options in cancer research and care. The program included talks by their doctors, scientists, and current trainees. It also included tours of the research facilities, an examination of research technology, and a community project where fellows used the knowledge they had gained to prepare for a symposium that would take place at the end of the program. Each symposium presentation would go on to show different ways of exposing each fellow’s respective chosen population (city, country, race, etc.) to opportunities in dealing with cancer and how to combine it with life saving research and and development.