Hunter Derby
Assistant Professor
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Mississippi State University, Ph.D.
Location: Sport Science Center office #2
hunter.derby@belmont.eduBiography
Dr. Hunter Derby joined the Department of Exercise Science as an Assistant Professor in the Fall of 2025. He earned his Ph.D. from Mississippi State University in Exercise Science and Neuromechanics with a research concentration in Human Factors and Ergonomics, investigating the neural mechanisms of postural control and locomotion.
Previously, Dr. Derby was an Instructor of Biomechanics and Motor Control at Mississippi State University. With a substantial background in biomechanics/neuromechanics, Dr. Derby served as the subject matter expert in user-centered Human Factors and Ergonomics at the Athlete Engineering Institute. Specifically, his research focuses on the analysis of the postural control system, fall risk, and musculoskeletal disorder risk and prevention in occupational, tactical, athletic, and clinical populations.
Human Factors and Ergonomics, Postural Control and Locomotion, Spinal Stability, Muscle Physiology, Training Adaptations, Injury Biomechanics
Derby, H. Neuromechanics of Postural Control and Locomotion in Tactical Populations. Human Kinetics, 2025. (Textbook Chapter)
Derby H. The Physiological and Biomechanical Effects of Awkward Working Postures. [Order No. 31487539]. Mississippi State University; 2024. (Dissertation)
Derby, H., Conner, N. O., Hull, J. M., Hagan, F., Barfield, S., Stewart, T., ... & Chander, H. (2023). Effects of Acute Exposure to Virtually Generated Slip Hazards during Overground Walking. Applied Sciences, 13(23), 12848.
Lowell, R. K., Conner, N. O., Derby, H., Hill, C. M., Gillen, Z. M., Burch, R., ... & Chander, H. (2023). Quick on Your Feet: Modifying the Star Excursion Balance Test with a Cognitive Motor Response Time Task. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 1204.
Derby, H., Chander, H., Kodithuwakku Arachchige, S. N., Turner, A. J., Knight, A. C., Burch, R., ... & Garner, J. C. (2022). Occupational Footwear Design Influences Biomechanics and Physiology of Human Postural Control and Fall Risk. Applied Sciences, 13(1), 116.
Derby, H.; Conner, N.O.; Talukder, A.; Griffith, A.; Freeman, C.; Burch, R.; Simpson, J.D.; Goble, D.J.; Knight, A.C.; Chander, H. Impact of Sub-Clinical and Clinical Compression Socks on Postural Stability Tasks among Individuals with Ankle Instability. Healthcare 2022, 10, 1271. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071271
Talukder, A., Derby, H., Freeman, C., Burch, R., Knight, A., & Chander, H. (2022). Sensory and Tactile Comfort Assessment of Sub-Clinical and Clinical Compression Socks on Individuals with Ankle Instability. Textiles, 2(2), 307-317.
Derby, H. & Chander, H. Fall Prevention Using Virtual Reality Generated Slip-Trip Hazards. Southeast Regional Research Symposium 2024.
Derby, H; Conner, N; Hull, J; Hagan, F; Barfield, S; Boland, R; Stewart, T; Jones, JA; Knight, A; & Chander, H. Effects of Acute Virtual Reality Exposure on Dynamic Postural Stability. Southeast American College of Sports Medicine 2024.
Hull, J; Nance, A; Derby, H; Conner, N; Knight, A; & Chander, H. The Impact of Different Sounds and Noises on Static and Dynamic Postural Stability. Southeast American College of Sports Medicine 2024.
Barfield, S; Griffith, A; Hull, J; Derby, H; Chander, H; & Knight; H. Muscle Activity of the Primary Ankle Stabilizers in Soccer Players Performing a Dynamic Balance Test. Southeast American College of Sports Medicine 2024.
Derby, H; Kodithuwakku Arachchige, SNK; Knight, A; & Chander, H. Impact of Occupational Footwear on Postural Stability Using Balance Tracking System. American Society of Biomechanics 2023.
Derby, H; Conner, N; Hull, J; Hagan, F; Barfield, S; Boland, R; Stewart, T; Jones, JA; Knight, A; & Chander, H. Effects of Acute Virtual Reality Exposure on Dynamic Postural Stability. Graduate Research Symposium, Mississippi State University 2023.
Derby, H; Kodithuwakku Arachchige, SNK; Young, D; Carter, S; Ramsey, L; Knight, A; & Chander, H. Barefoot Versus Shod Comparisons on Bipedal Posturography Using Balance Tracking System (BTrackS). Southeast American College of Sports Medicine 2023.
Derby, H. Spine Biomechanics in Human Factors and Ergonomics. Department of Kinesiology Research Concentration Presentation, Mississippi State University 2022.
Derby, H; Gourley, K; Kirk, K; Kodithuwakku Arachchige, SNK; Turner, A; Chander, H; and Knight, A. Influence of an Athletic Shoe with a Compression Sock on Static Balance. Southeast American College of Sports Medicine 2021.
Derby, H. & Chander, H. Fall Prevention Training Using Virtual Reality Generated Slip-Trip Hazards. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Pilot Project Research Training (NIOSH PPRT) Program, 2023.
Technology Validation for Telehealth Medical Management of Neurological Impairment. National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), 2025.
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
American Society of Biomechanics
American College of Sports Medicine