Derrick earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Toronto, Canada, and his Ph.D. from the University of Helsinki, Finland. Derrick is a hematopoietic stem cell expert who has made multiple important discoveries relevant to human health. In 2010, Derrick’s lab discovered how to use synthetic mRNA to reprogram stem cell fate and function opening the field of mRNA therapeutics. His lab was the first to publish on using CRISPR/Cas9 to engineer blood forming stem cells that are resistant to HIV infection. Derrick was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2011.