Derek Thompson

Derek Thompson has a long history of work experience in the field of physics. Derek began their career in 2006 as a Research Assistant at Fermilab, where they were involved in W-boson mass simulation and Dark Energy Camera & low-noise sensor characterization. In 2009, they moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to take on the role of Project Lead and Graduate Research Assistant. In 2015, Thompson began working at West Virginia University as a Postdoctoral Research Associate and Graduate Research Assistant. Most recently, in 2019, they joined Phase Four as a Principal Systems Engineer, Lead Propulsion Systems Engineer, Plasma Physicist, and Consultant.

Derek Thompson holds a Ph.D. in Physics from West Virginia University, which they obtained in 2018 with a 4.0 GPA. Prior to that, they earned a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2012. Derek also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from the University of Chicago, which they obtained in 2008. In addition, Derek has obtained certifications in Machine Learning from Coursera in April 2019 and Basic Keelboat Sailing & Coastal Navigation from the American Sailing Association.