Derek Debrauske

Science Instructor, High School

derek.debrauske@pcae.k12.mn.us  |  763-279-4296

Derek Debrauske joined the Perpich faculty in 2022. He is our biology specialist, teaching Biology along with our Environment and Sustainability course. Derek studied Botany at The University of Wisconsin, where he earned a B.S., along with lots of experience doing field and laboratory research. He is published for his work at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center in Madison, WI, where he genetically engineered industrial yeast strains for creating biofuels. At this research center, Derek realized his true passion in science was educating others. He followed this passion to Minnesota, where he is now a candidate for his Master’s degree in education at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

Derek’s perspective on science is holistic: he believes that understanding the intricacies of the natural world require viewing it from many angles. His diverse scientific background lends itself to this ideology. Derek strives to share this perspective through cross-disciplinary projects and collaborative experiments in the classroom.