Derek McLean

Biography

Derek McLean is the Janet Q. Lawson Endowed Dean of the S.J. & Jessie Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Director of the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station at Utah State University. At USU, Dr. McLean works with faculty, staff, and students to develop high impact programs that address opportunities for advancement of Utah’s bioeconomy, agriculture and natural resources industries while emphasizing the importance of sustainable, resilient systems. Utah State University partners with stakeholders and commodity groups to align university programs with Utah priorities through a state-wide system that advances educational opportunities, high impact research, and Extension engagement to meet the needs of the state and region.

Prior to joining USU, Derek was the dean of the Agricultural Research Division at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, a Senior Scientific Advisor in the Office of AIDS Research in the Office of the Director at the National Institutes of Health, the Senior Director of Collaborative Research with Phibro Animal Health Corporation, and on the faculty at Washington State University in animal sciences. At each professional position, Derek focused on innovative approaches to meet the land-grant mission through teaching, research and engaging with stakeholder groups. Scientifically, Derek focused on animal physiology, immune function, and nutrition in livestock and model animal species. Research projects ranged from basic cell biology to investigate regulation of cell differentiation to projects focused on animal growth and performance following supplementation with nutritional specialty products. As a faculty member at Washington State University, Derek taught courses in physiology, introductory animal sciences, biotechnology, and in the Honors College.

Originally from South Carolina, Derek has BS and MS degrees from Clemson University and a Ph.D. from Oregon State University. Derek and his wife Ronda have two young adult children.