Derek A. Applewhite

Derek A. Applewhite is an Associate Professor of Biology at Reed College, where he has been since 2014. He holds a B.S. from the University of Michigan (2002) and a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Northwestern University (2007). Prior to Reed, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on cytoskeletal dynamics, particularly actin-microtubule crosslinking and actomyosin contractility regulation in Drosophila models. He teaches courses in Cell Biology, Cytoskeletal Dynamics, and Introductory Biology.

Education

• B.S. in Biology, University of Michigan (2002)
• Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University (2007)

Research Interests

Dr. Applewhite’s lab investigates how the cytoskeleton regulates cell shape and motility using Drosophila melanogaster. Key areas include actin-microtubule crosslinker function, interphase contractility, and cytoskeletal dynamics in embryonic development. His work combines high-resolution microscopy with genetic and biochemical approaches to study cytoskeletal machinery.

Publications

Recent work includes studies on split discs proteins (2025), ASCB diversity initiatives (2024), and myosin II contractility models (2023). Over 15 peer-reviewed articles span topics like focal adhesion regulation (2022), Rho1 signaling (2020), and Ena/VASP dynamics (2019).

Lab Members & Mentoring

• Directed over 20 undergraduate theses since 2014
• Lab includes students from Biology, Neuroscience, and Biochemistry
• Focus on collaborative research training

Labs & Facilities

Uses state-of-the-art microscopy facilities at Reed College for live-cell imaging and cytoskeleton analysis.