Derek has his M.A. from Duquesne University.  He is also working on a supplementary M.A. of Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh while finishing Ph.D. requirements at Duquesne University.  As an undergraduate student at Wheeling Jesuit University, he was recipient of the university’s most distinguished award in philosophy, the Henry B. Sendaydiego Award.  Since, he has received numerous written commendations for his work at the graduate level.

Having exposure to both Analytic and Continental traditions in philosophy, he believes the supposed division is founded on misunderstanding and freely draws on key works from both to advance the discussion of philosophical topics into more interesting, and sometimes neglected, directions when it proves relevant.  Though having interest in the area of philosophy of mind, specifically questions concerning the mind-body distinction and self-representation, his current research is in contemporary philosophy of language. 

Using inferential-historical models of rationality, one of his current working theories in development is that self-representation is self-understanding precipitated out of the act of self-discovery.  The act of self-discovery, i.e. reflection, brings into view the subject as individual, that is, as aware of oneself situated within a social-historical constellation and what such a situation entails.  Supposing the mechanics of reflection such, a necessary consequence  of this idea is that self-representation is a developmental process.  A palatable creed that one might attach to this kind of a theory is, “You are who you are understanding yourself to be,” which, when properly considered, requires a special emphasis on the social-historical character of oneself.