Dr. Derek Warren Inspires Students to Build Futures in Biology

BETHANY, W.Va. (Oct. 27, 2026) — When Dr. Derek Warren first visited Bethany College as a high school student for Science Day, he never imagined he would one day return as a professor. Growing up just across the river in Shadyside, Ohio, Warren was drawn to the College’s rolling hills, close-knit community, and the possibilities of studying science in a place that felt both historic and personal. Although he ultimately chose West Virginia University, Bethany remained a place he remembered. 

His path through higher education took him deep into the sciences, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, a master’s degree in nutritional and food sciences, and a Ph.D. in animal and food sciences, specializing in nutritional biochemistry and metabolism. After completing his doctorate during the height of the pandemic, Warren began his teaching career at the University of the Ozarks in Arkansas. There, he discovered how much he valued the relationships that come with teaching at a small college, where faculty know their students by name and mentorship is part of the everyday experience. 

Today, as an assistant professor of biology, Warren has the opportunity to guide students throughout their academic journeys. He often meets students during their first semester in introduction to cell, molecular, and developmental biology, then encounters them again in courses such as genetics, animal nutrition, human nutrition, microbiology, and biochemistry II. 

Warren enjoys working with students in the lab, where they begin to see themselves as scientists. Experiments do not always go as planned, but Warren sees those moments as valuable opportunities for growth. 

“Even when experiments don’t go perfectly, which is common, students learn so much from the process,” he said. 

That growth is one of the most rewarding parts of Warren’s work. Over four years, he watches students develop from uncertain first-year students into graduates pursuing veterinary medicine, medical school, research careers, and graduate programs. 

“Seeing that transformation is why I do what I do,” he shared. 

While Warren expected Bethany’s small classes and personalized learning to be familiar, he found another part of the community particularly meaningful: the commitment of its alumni. He has seen alumni support the biology department through guest lectures, internship opportunities, and financial contributions, creating opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. 

“Not every institution has that kind of alumni support,” he said. “It really adds something special here.” 

Warren brings the same emphasis on growth and perseverance to the advice he shares with students. Rather than striving for perfection, he encourages them to recognize mistakes as a natural part of learning. 

“There’s so much pressure to be perfect,” he said. “But we learn the most from the mistakes we make. What matters is how we pick ourselves up and move forward.” 

He also encourages students to take advantage of the support available to them, reminding them that Bethany’s faculty are invested in their success and ready to help when students reach out. 

Years after first stepping onto campus as a high school student, Warren now finds himself helping others begin their own journeys in science. His return to Bethany has connected his early curiosity with the work he does today, giving him the opportunity to mentor students, build relationships, and help the next generation of scientists find their direction.