Derek obtained his Bachelor degree in biochemistry at Kings College London University before studying for his PhD in biochemistry at the Institute of Neurology in London. He carried out postdoctoral studies at the world-famous MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology before moving to establish his own independent research career. He has led research teams at the University of Southampton (1994-2006) and at Newcastle University (2006-present) where he established and leads the Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group which has a mission to illuminate the biology of fibrosis and to unlock new drug targets and biomarkers in chronic disease. He more recently established a group that is advancing the development of novel immunotherapy approaches in liver cancer.

He has published 204 research papers which have attracted 19,609 citations (h index = 81). Derek is considered a world expert and opinion leader in liver diseases with particular expertise in the biology of liver inflammation, fibrosis and cancer. 

He is currently Professor of Hepatology in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University, is visiting Professor at Koc' University, Istanbul and is an associate member of the CRUK Scotland Centre in Glasgow where he co-leads a team of cancer biologists.

In recognition of his important contributions to medical research, Derek was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2016. He is currently a member of the UK Medical Research Council Population & Systems Medicine Board, The Yorkshire Cancer Research Grants Panel and contributes to the Fellows Selection Committees for the Academy of Medical Sciences.