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Derek Miller, Ph.D.
Derek Miller is a materials scientist, engineer, and the founder of Genius Lab Gear, a small business dedicated to making everyday lab life easier and more enjoyable.
He holds a Bachelor’s and Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering and has worked in a wide range of research environments, including university, government, and private industry labs. His research experience spans superalloys, aerogels, sensors, and semiconductors, giving him a deep understanding of the real frustrations scientists face daily.
A Scientist Turned Problem-Solver
While spending years at the bench, Derek noticed that most lab tools were designed for the science, not the scientist.
From poorly fitting lab coats to missing pens and cluttered benches, small problems slowed down great research.
That realization inspired him to create Genius Lab Gear, a company that designs clever, practical tools to make labs safer, more organized, and more human-centered.
What Derek Writes About
Derek now writes about:
- Lab safety and PPE best practices
- Scientific culture and productivity
- Creative lab tools and design improvements
- Gift ideas and resources for scientists and engineers
His goal is to share practical advice, highlight innovative products, and help scientists focus on what truly matters: discovery.
Education and Credentials
- B.S. & Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering
- Research experience across academia, government, and private industry
- Publications and technical work spanning multiple research materials and applications
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View Derek’s Google Scholar profile
Connect with Derek
- Visit Genius Lab Gear
- See all articles by Derek:
11 books to help get you through grad school (in 2025)
Think you only have time to read text books in grad school? That’s what I thought too. You have more time than you think. Your future self will tell you so (trust me). The 5-15 hours and $8-$35 it will take you to read any of these books will pay itself back in time and earnings many-fold throughout your student life and in your first job offer after graduation. Invest in yourself and reap the benefits later.
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How to read scientific papers quickly (and effectively organize them for a literature review)
It can seem like an impossible task: tediously reading dry academic research articles, following citations in never-ending circles to somehow come away with a structured literature review of the field. Two papers down and you’re already falling asleep. It’s a deeply unsettling feeling of hopelessness that I once felt as well. Here's what I did to overcome it.
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8 PhD Job Interview Questions: What They Ask vs. What They Mean
Interview questions aren't always what they seem. Outsmart the interviewer by studying this list of common questions that are meant to answer a question that isn't directly asked.
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27 ILLEGAL Interview Questions to Know Before Your PhD Job Interview
This list gives 27 common questions that interviewers should know are illegal to ask. We want you to know which questions are illegal so you can handle them appropriately.
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