Darwin Mastin, PhD
About Darwin Mastin, PhD
Darwin Mastin, PhD, serves as a Staff Prompt Engineer and Tech Lead at Credit Karma, where he developed a prompt library utilized by over 500 employees. He has a diverse academic background and extensive experience in research and UX, having worked at notable institutions including Stanford University and Facebook.
Work at Credit Karma
Currently, Darwin Mastin serves as a Staff Prompt Engineer and Tech Lead at Credit Karma, a position he has held since 2023. He developed a company-wide prompt library that serves as a centralized resource for internal initiatives, which is utilized by over 500 employees on a monthly basis. Previously, he worked as a Staff Product Researcher from 2021 to 2024, contributing significantly to GenAI projects. Mastin leads weekly workshops on Prompt Writing 101, attended by over 50 employees from various functions, fostering skill development within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Darwin Mastin has an extensive educational background in cognitive science and psychology. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Cognitive Science from Tilburg University from 2009 to 2013. He also completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford University, focusing on Experimental Cognitive Psychology from 2014 to 2017. His academic journey includes a Master of Science (MSc) in the Evolution of Language & Cognition from The University of Edinburgh and a Master of Arts (MA) in Linguistics from Michigan State University. He holds dual Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Medical Archaeology & Language Studies from Dartmouth College.
Background
Before joining Credit Karma, Darwin Mastin held various research and strategy roles in notable organizations. He worked as a Research Associate at the John Templeton Foundation from 2007 to 2009 and as a PhD Research Associate at Tilburg University from 2009 to 2013. His experience also includes positions as a UX Researcher at Facebook and Instagram from 2017 to 2020, where he contributed to user experience strategies. Additionally, he served as a Research Strategy Manager at Attentive for a brief period in 2021.
Achievements
Darwin Mastin has received recognition for his contributions to GenAI projects at Credit Karma. He was awarded the Exceptional Impact Award in 2022 for his work in this area. In 2024, he received the Illuminate Award for Innovation, acknowledging his groundbreaking efforts in GenAI applications. He was also a finalist in the Karma Hackathon 2023, where he showcased innovative solutions related to generative AI.