Derek is a third-year student, double-majoring in History and Music with a minor in Professional Writing. He is currently completing a history honors thesis examining the success of the Montreal Protocol, with a focus on collective action and the way crises are marketed to the public.

Outside the classroom, Derek has interned as a communications writer with UC Davis Undergraduate Education, where he gained experience writing articles, working on email campaigns, and proposing website redesigns. By joining EQUIP, he hopes to continue to develop his leadership and communication skills, while networking with peers who are also similarly driven.