Derek McLean has served as dean of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Agricultural Research Division since January 1, 2023.

Dr. McLean previously served as a senior science adviser in the Office of AIDS Research at the National Institutes of Health, where he worked to ensure that research funding aligns to the priority areas established by the National Institutes of Health. This effort required expertise in building relationships, establishing groups to develop funding plans and policy and working across the more than 20 institutes and centers at NIH.

Prior to NIH, McLean was the senior director of collaborative research for Phibro Animal Health Corporation. He also served for 10 years as a faculty member in the animal sciences department at Washington State University.