Commanding Officer

Captain Matthew Hunter Jamerson, a native Marylander, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Drexel University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. In 2003, he earned his Ph.D. in Tumor Biology, an interdisciplinary program encompassing Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, from Georgetown University. His dissertation focused on the role of genes in the development and natural history of breast cancer using genetically-engineered mice as tumor models. Prior to joining the Navy, his work experiences included serving as an Acoustical Engineering Aide in the Sonar Self-Noise Group at the former David Taylor Naval Research Center in West Bethesda, Maryland, and serving as a Research Assistant Scientist in the Reproductive Toxicology Group at the former SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals in Swedeland, Pennsylvania. In October 2003, he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps as a Biochemist.

Following Officer Indoctrination School, then LT Jamerson was assigned to the Navy Drug Screening Laboratory (NDSL) in Great Lakes, Illinois, where he served as

the Quality Control Department Head, the Assistant Technical Director, and the Operations Officer. In December 2006, LT Jamerson reported to the Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forced Medical Examiner System (AFMES), in Rockville, Maryland, where he served as the Chief of Technical Services and Chief of Quality Assurance.

In August 2009, LT Jamerson reported to NDSL Jacksonville as the Executive Officer. In August 2012, LCDR Jamerson reported to NDSL San Diego as the Executive Officer. Following successful command screening, LCDR Jamerson assumed command of NDSL San Diego in September 2014 through that command’s dis-establishment on 1 February 2017 and then served as the Senior Officer for that command’s decommissioning completed in October 2017.

In October 2017, CDR Jamerson reported to the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) as Director for Laboratory Services (with oversight for both the Navy Bloodborne Infection Management Center and the Naval Dosimetry Center) and as the DON Drug Testing Program Manager (overseeing two remaining NDSLs).

In June 2020, CDR Jamerson reported to the Naval Health Research Center, the DoD’s deployment health research hub, as the Executive Officer, and in September 2021, he was promoted to the rank of Captain. In July 2022, CAPT Jamerson assumed command of the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL); NSMRL’s mission focuses on sustaining the readiness and superiority of undersea warriors through innovative health and performance research.

CAPT Jamerson is an author on 13 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, one book chapter, and 10 abstracts/posters. He previously served as an Inspector for the National Laboratory Certification Program and as a peer-reviewer for the following scientific journals: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, Cancer Research, Oncogene, and the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He was a National Merit Scholar, a Maryland Distinguished Scholar, and an Anthony J. Drexel Scholar. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), and the Expert Pistol Medal.