Title: Science and Innovation Development Leader
Company: Integrated Design Solutions
Location: Holt, Michigan, United States
Nestor DeOcampo, PhD, Science and Innovation Development Leader at Integrated Design Solutions, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Science Research, Higher Education and Innovation.
Dr. DeOcampo’s distinguished career spans nearly three decades in higher education and scientific research before his recent transition to the architectural engineering sector. In 2026, he assumed the role of science and innovation development leader at Integrated Design Solutions, a fully integrated firm specializing in architecture, engineering, interiors, technology, energy and sustainability in Troy, Michigan. In this capacity, Dr. DeOcampo leads a team dedicated to developing advanced science and innovation spaces.
As part of his responsibilities, Dr. DeOcampo assists organizations in designing functional and cost-effective environments that enhance teaching and research capabilities. He also supports laboratory design efforts by translating scientific and pedagogical requirements into practical design solutions and developing tools that improve efficiency for designers. Dr. DeOcampo is instrumental in expanding the firm’s market share within the science and innovation sector, particularly as the company seeks to broaden its reach beyond Michigan into neighboring states.
Before joining Integrated Design Solutions, Dr. DeOcampo served as the director of facilities and planning for the college of engineering at his alma mater, Michigan State University (MSU), in East Lansing from 2021 to 2026. This period marked a pinnacle in his career, as he led transformative initiatives that expanded the college’s footprint by more than 25%, totaling approximately 90,000 square feet, without new construction. Dr. DeOcampo successfully secured space for over 20 new investigators by repurposing existing areas to foster collaboration and accommodate growth.
Additionally, Dr. DeOcampo played a central role in establishing a new degree-granting program within the college. This effort involved programming close to 20 new courses and requesting 30,000 square feet of space for teaching laboratories and offices to support up to 1,200 students across four-year cohorts. Dr. DeOcampo’s work was instrumental in shaping both physical infrastructure and academic offerings at MSU.
From 2013 to 2026, Dr. DeOcampo also held the position of data resource analyst in the office of planning and budgets at MSU. In this role, he managed extensive data projects, such as inputting more than 200,000 room attribute data points into scheduling software used for campus events. Dr. DeOcampo’s expertise in data analysis was complemented by his ability to bridge communication between tradespeople working on-site and university leadership making strategic decisions.
Between 2011 and 2013, Dr. DeOcampo served as a professional aide at MSU, where he developed his skills in project management and stakeholder engagement. Earlier in his career, from 2004 to 2011, he was active on campus as an assistant professor, where he taught nearly 5,000 students across various courses, including Fundamentals of Genetics for juniors, incorporating lectures with small-group recitations focused on problem-solving, and an active learning course for first-year students that utilized clicker technology to encourage participation. Dr. DeOcampo also trained teaching assistants weekly to facilitate student engagement and critical thinking skills. These educational experiences informed his later research at Mayo Clinic as a National Institutes of Health fellow.
A highlight of Dr. DeOcampo’s tenure at MSU was his involvement as an administrative liaison for the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, a landmark project that stands as his most significant professional achievement. The facility was designed to emphasize belonging, technological integration and flexible learning spaces. Dr. DeOcampo navigated the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the project’s continuity, advocating for its importance to university leadership. The building’s mass timber structure reflected innovative design principles while providing adaptable environments for teaching and interaction. Alongside this accomplishment, he contributed significantly to launching a new technology engineering degree program by programming spaces, budgeting renovations and equipping facilities for over 1,000 students.
Dr. DeOcampo’s academic background has been foundational to his success as an expert in science research, genetics and innovation. His undergraduate studies culminated in a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1993. He then acquired a Doctor of Philosophy in genetics from MSU in 2001, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in 2004.
Active with professional organizations, Dr. DeOcampo has been a member of the emerging leaders program with the Society for College and University Planning. She also remains active in the Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi Association Inc. and Phi Lambda Upsilon.
Dr. DeOcampo has earned recognition for his excellence through several awards, such as the James D. Hoeschele Endowed Teaching Award from MSU in 2006 and the Ronald W. Wilson Endowed Teaching Award from MSU in 2009. He attributes his achievements to an unyielding eagerness to learn paired with adaptability and clear communication skills. Whether engaging with tradespeople or university executives, Dr. DeOcampo values understanding diverse perspectives so he can effectively represent all stakeholders’ interests. This quality continues to shape his current role leading science facility design initiatives at Integrated Design Solutions.
Looking ahead, Dr. DeOcampo aims to help Integrated Design Solutions expand its presence throughout the Midwest region by demonstrating professionalism and expertise that will open doors into new markets beyond Michigan. His life’s work exemplifies dedication not only to advancing scientific knowledge but also to creating environments where others can thrive, whether through teaching future scientists or designing spaces that foster discovery and collaboration.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Dr. DeOcampo:
