Greetings and welcome to my page.

My name is Derek Peterson. Unlike most graduate students, I returned to academia in the fall of 2024 after a high-impact career. Currently, I serve as the CEO and founder of Soter Technologies, an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to addressing global challenges. Innovation has been the driving force behind my career, leading to the invention, patenting, and launch of groundbreaking products. With more than 20 patents under my belt, across diverse technologies, I have made significant contributions to a broad community. Among my notable achievements are the world’s first vape detector in 2017 and the world’s first medical gateway capable of detecting Covid symptoms in 2020. I am also a published author on school vaping and have shared my expertise as a subject matter expert on prominent TV shows such as the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, and MSNBC. Beyond my professional accomplishments, I have found personal triumph as a multiple-time Ironman Triathlon finisher. However, my life took an unexpected turn in April 2022 when I was diagnosed with a life-threatening Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. Faced with emergency open-heart surgery, I made a solemn vow to myself. If I were to survive, I would devote my efforts to developing medical devices that would improve heart health.

Now that I’ve survived, it’s time to fulfill that promise. My determination is unwavering, and my track record speaks for itself—when I set my mind to something, I make it happen, even when others think it’s impossible.