Derek is a third-year Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Otolaryngology.  He earned his BS in Biological Sciences in 2006 here at the University of Pittsburgh.  After graduating, Derek spent the next two years working as a research technician in the laboratory of Dr. Bill Yates in the Department of Otolaryngology, before moving to Chicago to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Northwestern University.  He obtained his Ph.D. in Sensory and Cognitive Neuroscience in 2014 and immediately moved back to the ‘Burgh to begin a postdoctoral appointment in the Yates-McCall Laboratory. His postdoctoral research investigates the contributions of hindlimb proprioceptive signals to balance control through their influences on reticulospinal neurons.  In his spare time, Derek enjoys exploring the Pittsburgh food and sports scene with his fiancé and hiking with his aussie shepherd Stew.  Derek is very excited for the upcoming year and is looking forward to his new role as Career Development Chair.

To contact Derek by email, click here.