Julio Camperio

Applied aquaculture nutrition researcher bridging experimental science with commercial feed strategy, spanning digestibility evaluation, functional ingredient development, and circular bioeconomy systems.

Research highlights:
• Validated acid-insoluble ash (AIA) as an endogenous digestibility marker across 18 commercial feeds and 27 ingredients — first study of its kind; Editor’s Choice Award, JW

Supervised the harvest, cleaning, quality control, packing and storage of seaweed (Gracilaria)
Built and operated a small-scale broodstock and hatchery system of Oreochromis (Tilapia)
Regularly cleaned, maintained and operated life support systems and culture equipment

Leading experiment setup, preparation, execution and data collection
Amphibian husbandry duties for nutrition and diet research to determine causing factors of spindly leg disorder in frog species Atelopus.

Assisted in research on the ex situ conservation of coral using cryopreservation and banking of gametes of Fungia scutaria, Pocillopora meandrina, Montipora capitata and Porites lobata.
Collection, husbandry of adult coral, reproduction (eggs and sperm) and rearing and settlement of larvae, reintroduction of adult coral.
Culturing crustose coralline algae in tanks for settlement purposes.

Carry out daily tasks of cleaning, feeding and observing hatchlings of Sea Bass and Amber Jack culture. Assist in relocation and transportation of hatchlings from different stages of growth. Prepare algae and brine solutions for daily feedings.

Initiate a Vermicomposting Program, where with the use of worms we can start actively recycling food scraps from cafeterias and paper and cardboard form offices and classrooms.
Collaborate with other students, faculty members, and environmental scientists.

Clean numerous tanks by scrubbing algae off surfaces and siphoning sedimented debris.
Feed numerous individual corals making sure they get their daily food source.
Record temperature and update log book.
Participate in lab meetings to bring forth issues or updates

Record tank and trickle temperature and observe any odd fish behaviors
Measure length and weight of endangered Plymouth Red-bellied Turtle
Prepare food for feedings for 30 different exhibits
Clean thoroughly filter bags, protein skimmers, equipment and floor

Prepare food for feedings of 1,800 fish in the tank
Dive 3-15 times per week to carry out feedings for numerous fish of different species
Clean thoroughly all prepping room and equipment
Cooperate with volunteers, interns and staff with food prepping, surface feedings, construction of devises or new apparatus and recovery and transportation of animals

Worked closely with Aplysia californica in feeding (collecting seaweed), cleaning (washing, scrubbing and bleaching holding trays) and packaging (for air or ground transportation)
Cleaned and changed filter bags and bleached all holding trays and tubs
Collected data for an experiment on algae growth in solutions with different levels of salinity using a refractometer to understand in what salinity

Examined private and public information of the hydraulic fracturing industry, including non- disclosure agreements, legal loopholes and trade secrets.
Collaborated with other students to write a research paper on different sectors of the industry, revealing its tradeoffs and hidden facts.

Researched feedback and response on efficiency of a newly developed vaccine for leishmaniasis in domestic animals.
Contacted nation-wide departments, professors, and veterinarians for results.

5 weeks of studying and analyzing how companies and institutions work towards sustainability.
Able to analyze pros and cons of all points of view to determine what the sustainability factor is.

A 5 week university summer program studying Environmental Sciences & Advanced Spanish.

Overall research theme: Practical tools for sustainable aquafeed advancement and innovation.
Research topics: (1) Investigate the use of Acid-Insoluble Ash as an endogenous marker to determine Apparent Digestibility Coefficients; (2) Quantification of bioactive polyphenols in Black Soldier Fly Larvae, and the delivery of functional health-promoting properties in aquafeed; (3) Evaluation of Black

Thesis was on evaluating fishmeal-free diets for locally farmed rabbitfish in Palau, Micronesia.
Coursework: Aquaculture theory, legal and business environmnet in aquaculture, fisheries socio-economic management, biometry, fish physiology, aquaculture techniques, seafood market and marketing, and fish nutrition.

Major in Spanish and minors in Marine Studies, Sustainable Business Practices and Latin & Caribbean Studies.

Head of the Northeastern University Compost Initiative.

Studied abroad in Cusco, Peru, Biodiversity and Spanish, and EARTH University in San Jose, Costa Rica, Sustainable Business.

Co-op at New England Aquarium, Exhibits and Coral Research.
Second co-op at the University of Las Palmas o

Graduated with full International Baccalaureate diploma.

Higher levels: Italian, Spanish and English

Received "Open Minded" award

Part of the Cross-Country team Sophomore year

Renovated and re-operated high school fish tank.