Mentor: Lena Brundin, M.D., Ph.D.

Research Focus: Immunoregulatory tryptophan metabolites in gut-brain communication: Mechanisms of behavioral and immune modulation

Experience: Cam is a Ph.D. student in the lab of Dr. Lena Brundin. His primary research aims to uncover the role of bacterial-derived tryptophan metabolites called indoles in assessing mood disorder severity, leveraging methods in metabolomics to compare patient blood constituents to clinical measures. Prior to joining Van Andel Institute Graduate School, Cam studied at Michigan State University, majoring in human biology and zoology with a minor in music. Among various clinical support roles in radiology and oncology, he spent time as a research assistant studying animal behavior in MSU’s Holekamp Lab before taking on an internship in conservation biology at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Possessing a range of experience at the bench both academically and professionally, Cam first joined the Brundin Lab as a research technician in 2020, where he worked on projects linking inflammation and metabolism to behavior in animal models and patient cohorts. Since becoming a student in 2022, Cam has shared his current work at conferences and has contributed to multiple co-authored publications as well as a first-author manuscript currently in review on gut indoles in alcohol use disorder. Looking ahead, Cam aims to continue in a career investigating novel interventions for mental health.

Undergraduate Institution: Michigan State University

Hometown: Traverse City, Michigan

Publications

*Completed during time as a VAI graduate student

*Postolache TT, Duncan E, Yen P, Potocki E, Barnhart M, Federline A, Massa N, Dagdag A, Joseph J, Wadhawan A, Capan CD, Forton C, Lowry CA, Ortmeyer HK, Brenner LA. 2025. Toxoplasma gondii, suicidal behaviour and suicide risk factors in US Veterans enrolled in mental health treatment. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 72:2025.002.

*Anis E, Smart L, Capan C, Forton C, Escobar Galvis ML, Sha Q, Achtyes E, Brundin L. 2024. Herpes simplex reactivation triggers symptom exacerbation in patients with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord Rep 18:100838.

Rengasamy M, Brundin L, Griffo A, Panny B, Capan C, Forton C, Price RB. 2022. Cytokine and reward circuitry relationships in treatment resistant depression. Biol Psychiatry Glob Open Sci 2(1):45–53.