WELCOME TO PHOENIX 87TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
BRIDGING SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION AND FRATERNAL LEADERSHIP
D r. Derek C. Blythe (Alpha Pi 2005) exemplifies the dual excellence of academic bril- liance and visionary leadership. A distinguished statistician and committed fraternity brother, Dr. Blythe has made significant contributions in both the biomedical research community and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. His journey is a compelling narrative of intellect, service, and purpose-driven achievement. “It is especially important for men of achievement—no matter our color, nationality, or ethnicity—to be role models in our communities and to recognize the importance of giving back,” Blythe shared, reflecting his commitment to mentoring and community uplift. This dedication to excellence is mirrored in his professional career. Dr. Blythe currently serves as a Senior Staff Biostatistician at Illumina, a leader in genomic sequencing and bioinformatics. He has been with Illumina since 2021, following a successful tenure as a Staff Biostatistician. Prior to this, he spent eight years at Intel Corporation, where he applied statistical modeling and process control in global manufacturing operations. At Intel, he developed the Process Control Systems Portal, used worldwide across their assembly and test facilities. His academic roots run deep. Dr. Blythe earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Statistics from Iowa State University, after completing his B.S. in Mathematics from Langston University. During his doctoral studies, he contributed to cutting-edge research in viral transmission mecha- nisms. One of his most impactful works was co-authoring the article, “Decreased Infectivity of a Neutralization-Resistant Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Variant Can Be Overcome by Efficient Cell-to-Cell Spread,” published in the Journal of Virology in 2011. The study revealed how a variant of the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), despite being resistant to neutralizing antibodies, regained virulence through highly efficient cell-to-cell transmis- sion. This discovery provided valuable insights into how lentiviruses, such as HIV-1, can circumvent traditional immune defenses. Dr. Blythe stands as a powerful example of what it means to lead with intellect and pur- pose. Whether modeling viral dynamics at the molecular level or mapping strategic growth for a fraternal chapter, his focus remains clear: excellence, service, and impact. ♦
12 THE JOURNAL ♦ SPRING 2025
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