OBU Welcomes Royer and Knight to the Division of Science and Engineering Program Faculty

Oklahoma Baptist University has welcomed Dr. Derek J. Royer as associate professor of biology and Jason Knight as assistant professor of mechanical engineering, joining the Division of Science in the James E. Hurley School of Science and Mathematics.

Dr. Derek Royer

Royer will teach biology courses while drawing on his background in biomedical research to help students develop a deeper understanding of biological concepts and grow as scientific thinkers. Knight will teach mechanical engineering courses, bringing more than a decade of engineering management and operations experience to OBU’s expanding engineering program.

Royer earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from OBU in 2011 before completing a Doctor of Philosophy in microbiology and immunology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2016. His research and professional experience includes positions at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Duke University School of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

Prior to returning to OBU, Royer served as department chair and associate professor of biology at East Texas Baptist University. He has authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications centered on microbiology, immunology and vision science. He is a member of the American Society for Microbiology.

Royer’s approach to teaching is shaped by his research experience and commitment to helping students reach their academic and professional goals.

Jason Knight

Knight earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Oklahoma State University before completing a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas. He brings more than a decade of professional engineering experience to OBU, most recently serving as director of operations at United Dynamics.

During his career with United Dynamics, he also served as program manager, engineering manager and project engineer II in mechanical engineering. He previously worked as an engineer III in mechanical engineering with Honeywell FM&T.

Knight’s experience in mechanical engineering, engineering management and operations provides students with a connection between their academic studies and professional engineering practice.