Derrick Glasco

Derrick Glasco earned a B.S. in Biology with honors from Missouri Southern State University in 2004.  After a short time with the National Park Service, he went on to earn a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2011.  During graduate school, he was awarded the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, a competitive fellowship through the National Institutes of Health.  His research in developmental neurobiology focused on the role of Wnt/planar cell polarity signaling in mouse facial branchiomotor neuron migration, leading to several publications.  Currently, Dr. Glasco’s research focuses on developmental toxicology using both the zebrafish and mouse models.  One exciting project aims to unravel the mechanisms by which high dosage of acetaminophen causes craniofacial defects in zebrafish.  He also continues to collaborate with his former lab at the University of Missouri and is actively involved in the Society for Developmental Biology and Association for Biology Laboratory Education.

Dr. Glasco was led to BJU through a desire to teach and the opportunity to help students build faith, challenge potential, and follow Christ through the study of biology.  He especially enjoys teaching General Biology I and is dedicated to building a strong conceptual foundation during that pivotal first course.  He also teaches Genetics, Developmental Biology, Advanced Cell & Molecular Biology, and various labs.  In each of his courses, Dr. Glasco focuses on understanding central concepts and principles and applies a Biblical worldview of the subject matter.  He also serves as the Associate Director for the Summer Institute in Teaching Science, Program Coordinator for the Biology Program, and Academic Advisor for Cell Biology students.