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Derrick Kamp

You can download a full copy of my CV here

Education

2014-2018

Calvin College

B.S in Biology

2018-2025

University of Connecticut

PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology

Skills and Experience

Confocal Microscopy

  • Robust experience with Nikon and Zeiss imaging platforms; familiarity with Leica platforms

  • Laser-scanning and spinning disk microscopy

  • Filter-based imaging and spectral imaging/linear unmixing

  • In situ imaging techniques: lectin staining, bacterial fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), hybridization chain reaction FISH (HCR-FISH), and combinatorial labeling and spectral imaging FISH (CLASI-FISH) in non-model systems

  • Bacterial FISH probe design

  • Image analysis in Fiji/ImageJ

Light Sheet Microscopy

  • Zeiss Lightsheet 7

  • Optimization of tissue clearing and staining techniques in large, whole-mount tissues in non-model systems

  • Analysis of computationally intensive datasets in Zeiss arivis Pro

  • Application of machine learning and AI image analysis pipelines

Animal Husbandry

  • Raising of non-model marine organisms under experimental conditions

  • Preparation of IACUC review materials and compliance

  • Training and managing teams to maintain animal wellbeing

Wet Lab

  • Isolating, culturing and assaying environmental bacteria

  • Genetic tools: Triparental mating and Gibson assembly

  • DNA and glycoprotein extraction from bacterial cultures and tissue

Proficiency in R

Publications

Imes A, Pavelsky M, Badal K, Kamp D, Briseno J, Sakmar T, Vogt M, Nyholm S, Heath-Heckman E, Grasse B, Septer S, Mandel M. “Euprymna berryi as a comparative model host for Vibrio fischeri light organ symbiosis.” bioRxiv. Submitted to Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2025

Kamp D, Kerwin A, McAnulty S, Nyholm S. “Organ structure and bacteria microbiogeography in a reproductive organ of the Hawaiian bobtail squid reveal dimensions of a defensive symbiosis.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2025

Morris JH, Nguyen T, Nwadike A, Geels M, Kamp D, Kim BR, Boyer JD, Shen A. “Soluble Factors Secreted by Endothelial Cells Allow for Productive and Latent HIV-1 Infection in Resting CD4+ T cells.” AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 2016

Schilthuis M, Verkaik S, Walhof M, Philipose A, Harlow O, Kamp D, Kim, BR, Shen A. “Lymphatic endothelial cells promote productive and latent HIV infection in resting CD4+ T cells.” Virology Journal. 2018

Selected Presentations

Invited Presentations

  • “Structure of Bacterial Community and Host Organ within the Reproductive System of the Hawaiian Bobtail Squid.” UConn MCB graduate recruitment. Winter, 2023

  • “Structure of Bacterial Community and Host Organ within the Reproductive System of the Hawaiian Bobtail Squid.” UConn Marine Science Department. Fall, 2023

Oral Presentations

  • “Sweet Structuring: Glycan and bacterial taxa association in the accessory nidamental gland of Euprymna scolopes.” Squid-Vibrio Symposium. Summer, 2023

  • “Micron-scale Biogeography of Bacteria and Host within a Reproductive Organ of the Hawaiian Bobtail Squid.” 8th Conference on Beneficial Microbes. Summer, 2022

  • “Micron-scale Biogeography of Bacteria and Host within a Reproductive Organ of the Hawaiian Bobtail Squid.” Pioneer Valley Microbiology Symposium. Spring, 2022

  • “FISHing for symbionts within the accessory nidamental gland of Euprymna scolopes.” Squid-Vibrio Symposium. Summer, 2021

Poster Presentations

  • “Sweet Structuring: Glycan and bacterial taxa association in the accessory nidamental gland of Euprymna scolopes.” 9th Conference on Beneficial Microbes. Summer, 2024

  • “Physical structure of the accessory nidamental gland facilitates symbiotic function.” Squid-Vibrio Symposium. Summer, 2024

  • “Exploring potential cross feeding and symbiosis factors necessary for growth of a novel Rhizobiales from Cephalotes ants.” Calvin College Science Division Poster Fair. Fall 2017

  • “IL6 secreted by endothelial cells increases HIV infection in resting CD4+ T cells without activation.” Van Andel Institute WMRUGS Research Conference. Fall 2016

Related Awards and Fellowships

Imaging

Teaching

  • 2021-2022 Outstanding TA Award – UConn Molecular & Cell Biology Department, 2022​

Presentations

  • Most Outstanding Poster Presentation – Squid-Vibrio Symposium, 2024​

  • Most Outstanding Presentation – Squid-Vibrio Symposium, 2021​

Fellowships

  • Antonio and Marjorie Romano Graduate Education Fellowship, 2025 

  • Jean Lucas-Lenard Special Summer Fellowship in Molecular Cell Biology, 2023​​​

  • Microbiome Research Fellowship – University of Connecticut, 2018

Teaching Experience

The Marine Biological Laboratory

Molecular Mechanisms of Symbiosis: Designed and assisted teaching graduate-level laboratory course on studying host-microbe interactions in the bobtail squid. Trained students on experimental design, tissue prep and confocal imaging in the squid-bacteria system.​​

The University of Connecticut

MCB 3633: Pathogenic Microbiology: Designed and taught course for upper-level lab course focused on identifying and characterizing pathogenic bacteria using classical and modern microbiological techniques.

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MCB 4642: Experiments in Bacterial Genetics: Assisted in teaching graduate and undergraduate students advanced lab techniques focused on genetic experiments in different bacterial strains.

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MCB 5427: Introduction to Molecular Techniques: Assisted in teaching Master’s-level lab course designed to familiarize students with experimental methods common in industry settings.

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