Derek is the Permafrost Geologist with the Yukon Geological Survey. Derek’s work involves understanding and communicating the implications of permafrost and terrain hazards affecting Yukon communities and infrastructure. Prior to working for the Government of Yukon, Derek spent 10 years in consulting helping a variety of client understand hazard and risk and deal with it in a practical manner.
Derek currently collaborates on projects with Laurentian University, University of Calgary, and Simon Fraser University. These projects are wide-ranging and include researching the influence of permafrost thaw on river dynamics and carbon export, glacier change in the St Elias Mountains, rockslide history and hazard in Dawson City, and geologic controls on active layer detachments along the Dempster highway.