2020 Spring/Summer Highlights of Hope

HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | SPRING/SUMMER ’20 ISSUE
2 10 Research Trends 4 MSA Clinical Trial 6 Tackling a Rare Disease 8–9 VAI Employee Spotlights 10–11 Graduate School Spotlights
12 San Juan Diego Academy Pilots Blue Apple 13 VAI Summer Camps 14 Events 22 Event Sponsors 24 PC Lunch & Learn
26 Donor Spotlight: Dr. Juan Olivarez 28 Fundraising with VAI 29 Employee Donor Spotlight: Kay Koo 30 Memorials & Tributes

RESEARCH
10 RESEARCH TRENDS WE’RE EXCITED TO
WATCH IN THE NEXT DECADE
With a new decade comes a new world of possibility, and
innovation waiting to be unleashed in labs at Van Andel
Institute and across the globe. As we take our first steps into the
2020s, here are 10 promising research trends to keep an eye on
now and in the coming years.
Our understanding of Parkinson’s disease will continue to
evolve, spurring new research and breakthroughs
Parkinson’s disease has long been considered a movement-related
disorder that originates in the brain. Recent research, however,
suggests that Parkinson’s disease might represent a group of
closely related disorders. While they share key clinical features,
they may have roots in different anatomical locations, such as the
gut and nose. Even if the anatomical starting points differ, there is
evidence that cell metabolism, inflammation and poor handling of
certain proteins are common features. In the coming years, these
insights could lead to the development of new therapies to slow or
stop its progression.
Breakthroughs in common diseases like Parkinson’s, dementia
with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer’s might help us better
understand rare disorders
It’s become increasingly clear that an improved understanding of
one disease may provide new insights into another. For rare and
understudied diseases like multiple system atrophy, this provides
a particularly important opportunity to gain the insight required to
develop new diagnostics and treatments.
Inflammation will increasingly be linked to disease — and give
rise to new treatments
Inflammation is a normal part of the immune system, responsible
for marshalling resources to the site of a wound, infection or
disease (like cancer) to help the body fight back. When inflammation
remains longer than needed, it can cause or contribute to a host of
health problems. Researchers are hard at work sorting out exactly
how and why this happens, which could be the findings that serve
as the foundation for new therapies for cancer, neurodegenerative
diseases, depression and many others.
Understanding how the body processes, uses and stores
energy will be critically important
Metabolism powers every aspect of the human body, from
keeping the immune system running to ensuring our hearts have
enough energy to beat. We’ve known for some time that metabolic
dysfunction plays a central role in diseases like diabetes and even
in cancer, thanks to malignant cells’ voracious appetites for energy.
But new breakthroughs also have linked issues with metabolism
to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s,
among others. As we better understand our bodies’ incredibly
complex web of metabolic processes, it’s likely that we will continue
to find metabolism at the center of many disorders — and many
future treatments.
Cancer treatment will harness combinations of medications
designed to give cancer a one-two punch
We now know that cancer comprises more than 100 different
diseases, each with its own litany of subtypes (for example, breast
cancers can be defined based on the presence or absence of
certain molecular receptors). This expansive diversity means that
there is likely no silver bullet cure. Instead, we can expect to see
more combination therapies that utilize multiple medications
whose effects complement or enhance each other’s ability to fight
cancers. A prime example is pairing an immunotherapy drug,
which bolsters the body’s natural defenses against cancer, with
an epigenetic drug that makes cancer cells more recognizable,
more susceptible to immune attack, and is thought to reinvigorate
exhausted immune cells and get them back in the fight.
We will better understand how the health and diet of one
generation can affect the next
Can a parent’s diet, experiences and lifestyle impact their children?
Or subsequent generations? Mounting evidence suggests that
nutrition does indeed have a ripple effect across generations, even
altering individuals’ predisposition to disease. Efforts are underway
to better understand how nutrition and other environmental
factors reprogram the genome and epigenome, and how this
information traverses generations. The goal: developing ways
to prevent and treat diseases including diabetes, cancer, and
Parkinson’s, and to protect our children from the unwanted
consequences of our own lifestyles.
We will see the translation of structural findings into
actionable therapies
Structural biology seeks to determine the shape and architecture
of life’s smallest building blocks, such as proteins. These efforts
are vitally important, helping us understand in intricate chemical
detail how the body works and laying the earliest foundations for
new medications. In the past five years, there has been a boom
in structural research, based on technological advances in cryoelectron
microscopy (cryo-EM), a technique that helps scientists
view molecules down to the atomic level. In the next decade, we will
continue to build on these foundational discoveries, which could
give rise to new treatments.
2 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

We’ll learn more about microenvironments and microbiomes
and their role in cancer and other diseases
In many ways, the future will be “micro.” Our technology is
miniaturizing; we are able to study the tiniest components of
life in ways never before possible and scientists are increasingly
understanding the importance and diversity of microenvironments,
the mini ecosystems that exist throughout the body. In cancer, the
microenvironment is the area immediately surrounding a tumor,
which can comprise blood vessels, immune cells and structural
cells, among others. These areas offer windows into how specific
cancers grow and proliferate, and may even offer new solutions
for stopping them. We’re also learning more about the role of
microbiomes, the host of microscopic organisms such as bacteria
that inhabit specific areas of the body like the gut. For example,
researchers who are sleuthing out the links between the gut and
Parkinson’s disease are taking a look at the gut microbiome as a
possible factor in disease onset.
Technology will spur even more innovation
Editing genes using CRISPR. Determining molecular structures
with high-powered cryo-EM. Decoding the genome through nextgeneration
sequencing. The advent of these powerful technological
tools, paired with increasingly robust computational capabilities,
have revolutionized how we study health and disease, and already
have contributed to critical biomedical breakthroughs. With
technology continually advancing, we can only expect the innovation
to continue in years to come.
Big Data will continue to yield new insights
Big Data refers to the massive amounts of information generated
by certain types of research, such as genomics. With technology
improving every day, the amount of data being churned out will only
continue to balloon, presenting opportunities and challenges to
scientists working to get to the root of disease. By closely analyzing
large datasets (a monumental task itself), scientists can look for
patterns linked to disease. A prime example is The Cancer Genome
Atlas, a National Institutes of Health-led effort that molecularly
mapped 33 different types of cancer. These highly detailed and vast
datasets helped identify important variations in cancer types and
subtypes that may form the foundation of new targeted therapies.
To read more about Van Andel Institute’s research in these areas, visit
vai.org/10-trends-2020s.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 3

RESEARCH
CAN A DIABETES DRUG SLOW OR STOP A
DEVASTATING NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE?
A NEW CLINICAL TRIAL GIVES HOPE TO PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY
Philip Fortier is on a mission: to find a cure for multiple system
atrophy, a devastating neurodegenerative disease that lacks
an effective way to halt progression.
For him, it’s deeply personal. His brother, Joe, battled MSA for three
years before passing away in 2013. Now, the organization the
Fortier family founded — Defeat MSA Alliance — has teamed up
with Van Andel Institute and others to support a groundbreaking
clinical trial to see if a common diabetes drug called exenatide may
also impede MSA’s rapid course.
“There are a great many people around the world suffering from
MSA and there are no drugs known to slow it down,” Fortier said.
“Anything we can do to help research — to find a drug that can be
repurposed to help people — is something we should and must
do.”
A tough foe
MSA is a quick and cruel disease. Over the course of five to
10 years, it ravages the body, shutting down the vital systems
necessary to keep a person healthy and functioning like the ability
to move, to regulate heart rate and to digest food. Between 15,000
and 50,000 people in the U.S. have MSA. The exact number is
tough to pin down because MSA is notoriously difficult to diagnose,
particularly in its early stages when it often is mistaken for
Parkinson’s disease.
In fact, like Parkinson’s, many scientists also believe MSA is linked to
a buildup of abnormal proteins called alpha-synuclein, which clog
critical cells and cause them to die. In MSA, these cells are the glia,
which support and protect the brain’s nerve cells.
“We now know that MSA, Parkinson’s and another related disorder,
Lewy body dementia, are all linked by alpha-synuclein,” Fortier
said. “That has given us new hope that, with more research, we can
possibly find something that gives people with MSA more years
with fewer symptoms.”
New hope
The pilot trial is helmed by Prof. Thomas Foltynie in collaboration
with colleagues at University College London Queen Square
Institute of Neurology and the UCLH National Hospital for
Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. Two previous small
clinical trials by Foltynie’s group have shown that exenatide is
well-tolerated in patients and may slow Parkinson’s progression.
Additionally, lab data in models of MSA and post-mortem data from
the brains of people who had MSA indicate that exenatide may
have positive effects.
“There are a great many people around the
world suffering from MSA and there are no
drugs known to slow it down. Anything we
can do to help research — to find a drug
that can be repurposed to help people — is
something we should and must do.”
— PHILIP FORTIER
The approach — repurposing a medication developed for one
disease to treat another — is an innovative way to maximize
scarce resources and shave off precious time in the search for
new treatments, said Dr. Patrik Brundin, director of VAI’s Center for
Neurodegenerative Science and a Parkinson’s expert. Brundin’s lab
also studies the origins of MSA and is investigating potential new
therapies, such as another drug developed to treat diabetes as a
possible treatment for Parkinson’s and MSA.
“Although they look different on the surface, many diseases are
linked to similar biological pathways. That’s why a diabetes drug has
potential to treat neurological disorders like MSA and Parkinson’s,”
Brundin said. “Repurposing is another tool for us to work quickly
toward life-changing breakthroughs.”
Fortier sees the trial as a bold new step forward in MSA research,
bolstered by a collaborative group of organizations that have united
to take on a particularly challenging adversary.
4 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAI CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER BRETT HOLLEMAN, PHILIP FORTIER,
DR. PATRIK BRUNDIN & VAI POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW DR. WOUTER PEELAERTS
“If we are going to be successful, we need more research and
we need to bring together people from across the scientific
community,” Fortier said. “It’s a calling — to love and care for one
another and do our best to help people with MSA.”
The study is funded by the John Black Charitable Foundation in the
U.K. and Van Andel Institute and the Defeat MSA Alliance in the U.S. The
study is supported by the MSA Trust (U.K.).
ABOUT MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY
• Between 15,000 and 50,000 people in the
U.S. have MSA
• Symptoms most frequently appear after age 50
• Early symptoms are frequently difficult to distinguish
from Parkinson’s disease and include tremor, rigidity,
slowed movement and impaired speech
• Like Parkinson’s, MSA is considered to be a
“synucleinopathy,” a disease marked by buildup
of the protein alpha-synuclein.
Source: National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 5

RESEARCH
HOW BIG DATA AND COLLABORATION IS
REDEFINING A RARE FORM OF DEMENTIA
Van Andel Institute’s Dr. Rita Guerreiro and Dr. José Brás
have teamed up with more than 100 other scientists from
around the world to take on frontotemporal dementia, a
rare disease that currently has no cure and no treatment
that slows progression.
In late 2019, the group led by Dr. Jonathan Rohrer at University
College London published a wide-ranging study in The Lancet
Neurology that provides new insight into FTD that could one
day shape future treatments. Here’s a quick primer on FTD and
breakdown of their findings.
Frontotemporal dementia is rare and tough to define — and
that makes it hard to study
For more than a century, the exact name and definition of
frontotemporal dementia has been in flux. It is best described as
a syndrome — a set of symptoms that often occur together. While
the exact parameters of what constitutes FTD will likely evolve as
we learn more, typical features of the disease include progressive
shrinking of the frontal and anterior temporal lobes of the brain;
that is, the brain’s front and bottom regions.
Other FTD symptoms fall into two categories:
• Behavioral changes, such as impulsive or listless behavior,
inappropriate social behaviors, repetitive or compulsive
behaviors, and agitation.
• Difficulties with language, such as problems comprehending
speech or with speaking. Often, these symptoms occur
alongside behavioral symptoms.
About one-third of FTD cases are genetic, meaning the disease can
be directly linked to changes, or mutations, in specific genes.
When it comes to rare diseases, collaboration is critical
Rare diseases like FTD can be tough to study due in large part to
their nature. There often simply aren’t enough cases from which to
gather sufficient data. Moreover, while FTD is a rare disease, FTD
caused by DNA mutations is even rarer.
To establish what is typical for each mutation or for each gene,
scientists must have enough cases with the same mutation or
mutations in the same gene. This is only achievable by leveraging
the collective power of research centers around the world. Each
of these centers may only have a handful of cases but, when
analyzed all together, scientists can start seeing patterns that
would have been impossible to identify in the individual cohorts
from each center.
In this study, the team was able to compare data from 3,403
individuals representing 1,492 families — far more than would be
accessible at any one center. The result is a powerful overview of
genetic mutations that contribute to age of symptom onset, age of
death and length of disease in people with FTD.
The findings lay an important foundation for future research
and future treatment
The study focused on the three genes most frequently mutated in
FTD: MAPT, GRN and C9orf72. Here are a few examples from their
findings:
• GRN mutations were more likely to affect women than men.
• People with MAPT mutations tended to be younger at symptom
onset and at death.
• People with C9orf72 mutations had the shortest disease
duration, on average.
Rare diseases like FTD can be
tough to study due in large part
to their nature. There often
simply aren’t enough cases
from which to gather sufficient
data. Moreover, while FTD is a
rare disease, FTD caused by DNA
mutations is even rarer.
Overall, the team was able to better characterize what is typical for
rare mutations. This information is particularly important for people
and families living with these mutations, for clinicians managing FTD
and for drug developers assessing progression of disease in clinical
trials.
Additionally, a large-scale, Big Data study such as this allows
scientists to better define disease subtypes by country and,
ultimately, can move the field one step closer to precision medicine.
6 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

DR. JOSÉ BRÁS & DR. RITA GUERREIRO
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 7

RESEARCH
DAN ROGERS — NEW THERAPIES, ONE TRIAL AT A TIME
All new therapies for diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s
began in a lab — the culmination of years of research,
scientific testing and rigorous clinical trials.
These trials, which evaluate the safety and effectiveness of potential
new treatments in real people, are the conduit that translate
discoveries from the lab to a point where they can benefit patients.
For more than five years, Dan Rogers, clinical research manager
at Van Andel Institute, has helped organize and manage the
Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To Cancer Epigenetics Dream
Team, a collaborative effort that brings together leading scientists,
physicians, philanthropic organizations and companies to improve
the standard of cancer care. Along with a small but incredibly
talented team of experts, Rogers helps the team to propel the
discoveries made in labs into clinical testing — a critical step to
getting new therapies to the patients who need them most.
“When you hear David Van Andel, VAI’s
chairman and CEO, say there are patients
out there right now who are counting on
us to come up with better treatments and
diagnostics, it resonates with me the
urgency of our mission.”
— DAN ROGERS
“My dad passed away from cancer in 2016 and was fortunate to
live a long and quality life — even after diagnosis,” Rogers said. “I
often think about how the work I am involved in now in advancing
better treatment options for cancer patients have and will have an
impact on people like my dad — extending their lives and giving
them more time with their loved ones. When you hear David
Van Andel, VAI’s chairman and CEO, say there are patients out
there right now who are counting on us to come up with better
treatments and diagnostics, it resonates with me the urgency of
our mission.”
Rogers grew up in a family surrounded by medicine, science and
the concept of service. His father worked for many years as an
emergency room physician, which gave Rogers an early insight into
the world of patient care.
“As any typical young person, I resisted working in the family
business — medicine — for quite a while. But, after working as an
emergency room tech as a summer job in college, I developed an
understanding of the importance of helping those in need and
DAN ROGERS
I was hooked,” Rogers said. “Now, I have this great opportunity
to work for an Institute that can benefit human health, and as a
member of the team I can play a role in clinical trials that bring
new therapies to patients across the U.S. and the world. And
knowing that is really gratifying and humbling.”
8 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

BRYN EAGLESON — ONE OF THE
INSTITUTE’S ORIGINAL RECRUITS
When Van Andel Institute’s founding
director of research, Dr. George
Vande Woude, started the Institute’s
research program in 1999, he recruited
bright, young scientists and experts
to help him build something truly
unique. One of those recruits was Bryn
Eagleson. A director in the Institute’s Core
Technologies and Services, her work directly
supports scientists as they uncover new
diagnostics and treatments for cancer,
neurodegenerative disorders and many
other diseases.
Motivated by the Institute’s mission to
benefit human health for current and
future generations, and its collaborative,
innovative work environment, Eagleson has
made VAI her professional home for more
than 20 years. After two decades of hard
work, she now understands the role her
work has played in helping shape VAI into
a global epicenter for biomedical research
and education. With no plans to slow down,
Eagleson looks forward to serving the
Institute’s mission until she retires.
“My hope is that all of this cutting-edge
research can soon become translated into
new ways to help people in the clinic, and
that our work can have a lasting benefit to
human health,” she said. “It’s been amazing
to build something from the beginning and
to know my work has contributed to this
incredible research. It is truly something I
am so proud to be a part of.”
BRYN EAGLESON
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 9

RESEARCH
ALFREDO REYES OLIVERAS
FINDS WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES
AT VAI GRADUATE SCHOOL
Two years before Alfredo Reyes Oliveras came to Van Andel
Institute Graduate School, he survived a hurricane.
Reyes Oliveras was at home with family when Hurricane Maria
struck Puerto Rico in September 2017. He and his family made it
through, but the deadly Maria caused extreme damage and left
millions without power for months.
“I woke up during the night to get a glass of water and looked
through the window. You could see trees falling,” Reyes Oliveras
said. “The house in front of ours disappeared.”
Despite the damage, Reyes Oliveras was able to return to his
studies at University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, relatively
soon after; the university had escaped the brunt of the storm.
He went on to earn two bachelor’s degrees: one in chemistry and
another in molecular biology.
Reyes Oliveras is part of VAI’s largest and most international
Graduate School cohort to date. He learned of the Graduate
School while researching programs in molecular biology.
The Graduate School stood out from his other two considerations,
Cornell University and University of Miami, because he viewed
the Institute’s small size as an asset. “The Institute offers a more
welcoming experience,” Reyes Oliveras said. “You can know
everybody here, and I really like that. You can make connections
easily.”
Reyes Oliveras is interested in further exploring cancer research
at the Institute. His curiosity in the field was piqued during an
undergraduate internship at University of Miami, where he studied
pancreatic cancer.
Though he leans toward pursuing cancer research, Reyes Oliveras
had the opportunity to work on immune system research during a
laboratory rotation with Dr. Connie Krawczyk his first semester. The
research he saw impressed him and gave him something to think
about in regard to his future track. Under the Graduate School’s
curriculum, he’ll choose a thesis and select a research adviser in
spring 2020 — his second semester.
Just one semester in, Reyes Oliveras is already excited about the
possibilities ahead.
“The research at VAI is great,” he said, “and so far, I’ve only been
exposed to a little bit of the science that’s happening here.”
ALFREDO REYES OLIVERAS
GRADUATE SCHOOL
BY THE NUMBERS
5.3 years average time to Ph.D.
3 seven-week laboratory rotations during
first two semesters
3 years of doctoral candidate thesis
research in a faculty mentor’s lab
68% Ph.D. graduation rate
75% total graduation rate (Ph.D. and M.D.)
10 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

GRADUATE SCHOOL ‘A STEP ABOVE
ALL THE OTHER PROGRAMS’ FOR
DR. NIKKI THELLMAN
For Dr. Nikki Thellman, earning a degree in veterinary
medicine wasn’t enough.
A self-described lifelong learner, she wanted to go beyond what
she studied in vet school and tackle pressing problems in the clinic
from a research perspective. “I was already a professional with
clinical experience and a vast understanding of disease diagnosis
and treatment,” Thellman said. “What was missing was a deep
understanding of the underlying mechanisms for disease and the
scientific training to tackle unmet medical needs.”
After four years of practicing veterinary medicine, Thellman
researched doctoral programs. At a graduate school fair, she
happened upon a booth for Van Andel Institute Graduate School.
Intrigued by its mission and problem-based curriculum, she
applied and was accepted.
“I felt the Graduate School was unique and was truly a step above
all the other programs,” Thellman said. “I would be building upon
my skill sets and not just be another student number.”
At the Institute, she joined the lab of Graduate School Dean
Dr. Steven Triezenberg, whose research has greatly expanded
understanding of how viruses “wake up” after lying dormant.
Under Triezenberg’s mentorship, Thellman began studying herpes
simplex virus, a common pathogen whose two types — herpes
simplex virus type 1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 — collectively
affect more than 4 billion people worldwide. Her task? To develop
a laboratory tool growing sensory neurons in order to study the
molecular and genetic factors that allow the virus to establish itself
in a host, fall dormant and later reactivate.
Thellman successfully defended her dissertation in 2017. She
then spent two years as a clinical development manager at
Zoetis, the largest animal health company in the world, running
companion animal clinical trials for novel therapeutics. She recently
transitioned to a senior scientist role there where she continues to
blend her passions for veterinary medicine and scientific discovery
to make a tangible impact on disease management.
“Van Andel Institute Graduate School trained me to think like a
scientist,” she said. “Everyone knows you and is eager to make your
education experience a success.”
For more information on Van Andel Institute Graduate School, visit
vaigs.vai.org.
DR. NIKKI THELLMAN
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 11

EDUCATION
BLUE APPLE BRINGS PROJECT-BASED LEARNING TO LIFE
The fifth-grade students at San Juan Diego Academy faced a
choice: should they protect Earth’s environment or explore
Mars as a potential home?
The fifth-grade students at San Juan Diego Academy faced a
choice: should they protect Earth’s environment or explore Mars
as a potential home?
The students were among the first to pilot a new program called
Blue Apple, created by Van Andel Institute for Education to
increase students’ engagement and help teachers who want to
make a significant difference in their students’ lives. Blue Apple
provides teachers with project plans and supplies, connections to
real-world experts, cross-curricular content, and the opportunity
to collaborate with other classrooms. The Institute also makes
members of its staff available as project coaches.
“Working with VAI is just something special for us, and we are
really blessed,” said Christine Wright, a fifth-grade teacher at San
Juan Diego Academy. “If the Institute did not work with us and
give us these opportunities, there would be experiences our
students would miss out on.”
Wright’s students undertook Blue Apple’s “Dirty Truth” project,
and learned the importance of protecting Earth’s environment
and researched the potential of life on Mars. They studied soils
and fertilizers to grow crops, and filmed commercials to raise
money for their causes.
The class divided into two teams — the Red Team for Mars, the
Blue Team for Earth — researched each option, and then taped
commercials urging people to donate for their causes. For the
students — most of them the children of recent immigrants from
Mexico, Central America and South America — the exercise was an
engaging, cross-curricular exercise combining English language
arts, math, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning.
The Red Team raised $205 and donated it to Students for the
Exploration and Development of Space. The Blue team raised $188
and donated it to the Environmental Defense Fund.
Blue Apple, which launched in 2019, has been adopted by more
than 200 schools throughout the Midwest and beyond. Teachers
who have used Blue Apple projects have been very happy with how
their students became engaged and enthusiastic about learning.
“It’s always been a part of our mission to impact education on a
national scale. We think Blue Apple is a productive way to do it.
The project really is built around the idea that engagement leads
to achievement,” said Terra Tarango, VAI’s chief education officer.
“We’re really pleased that 100 percent of the teachers said it
increased critical and creative thinking among their students.”
For more information about Blue Apple, visit blueappleteacher.org.
SAN JUAN DIEGO ACADEMY STUDENTS
ENGAGING WITH BLUE APPLE
12 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAI SUMMER CAMPS
HOW VAI SUMMER CAMPS NURTURE A FAMILY’S LOVE OF LEARNING
Ceci Kovarik, a lively 9-year-old, recently took a trip to Mars.
Ceci attended “Mission to Mars,” one of VAI’s summer camps,
where she was able to explore the science, engineering and
technology needed to complete a trip to another planet.
Along with students from West Michigan, Ceci made new friends,
developed an understanding of scientific concepts and embraced
her boundless curiosity.
Ceci’s mother, Joanna, is a Polish immigrant who met her husband,
originally from the Czech Republic, on a flight from Prague to
Chicago. After they got married, the couple settled on the north
side of Grand Rapids, where they are raising six children together.
Kovarik believes that her children’s future and their success lies in
the power of knowledge. “I understood that one of the best ways
you can advance yourself in this country is through education, so I
always encourage our kids to work hard and do the best they can,”
Joanna said. Joanna learned about VAI’s educational programs from
a teacher at their middle school, and the recommendation helped
shape the trajectory of her children’s lives.
“The Institute really opened up the kids’ horizons and enabled them
to work with students from other schools who were also passionate
about science and focused on learning,” Joanna said. “The kids
involved in these programs are so empowered to learn, and the
teachers really help them view what they are doing as important
and valuable.”
JOANNA, LUCIE & CECI KOVARIK
Lucie Kovarik, a sophomore in high school with a passion for
science, also participated in VAI’s summer camps. She enjoyed the
opportunity to meet like-minded students and explore her interests
so much that she has attended the camp for the past three years.
“I am always looking for opportunities to learn, and I really love the
diversity of science,” Lucie said. “When you’re a scientist, there’s just
so much out there to explore.”
Joanna is grateful her children were able to participate in VAI’s
education programs and hopes the Institute will continue to expand
on education initiatives that have given her children such wonderful
opportunities to experience the joy of learning, explore new
interests and discover the world.
“I credit Van Andel Institute for a lot of my kids’ success in school,”
Joanna said. “It’s worth the commitment, and when you don’t have
access to very many educational resources, a program like this
really means a lot.”
For information on Van Andel Institute’s student programs, visit
vaei.org/student-programs.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 13

EVENTS
CURIOSITY HOUR
Parents and children got the chance to rekindle their
childhood during Curiosity Hour. Guests explored Van Andel
Institute’s animal habitats, observed science demonstrations
and engaged in hands-on science challenges. The family-focused
event highlighted the many ways VAI is creating classrooms where
curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive.
(STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) KIDS EXPERIMENT WITH FOSSILS AT THE CAN YOU DIG IT STATION;
GUESTS COOL DOWN AT THE KONA ICE TRUCK; TOBY THE TORTOISE IN HER HABITAT; KIDS THINK LIKE ENGINEERS TO BUILD STABLE STRUCTURES;
TESTING STRUCTURE DESIGNS AT THE SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE STATION
14 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAI GOLF OUTING
Golfers, donors and Van Andel Institute supporters gathered
for a day of fundraising and fun during the Institute’s 12th
annual VAI Golf Outing. Held at the beautiful Wuskowhan Players
Club in West Olive, Michigan, guests enjoyed 18 holes on a beautiful
course, lunch, and a dinner and awards presentation featuring
special guest, hockey player and philanthropist Mike Knuble.
Thank you to the Title Sponsor: The Veldheer, Long, Mackay &
Bernecker Group of Merrill Lynch.
(STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) JACK DOLES, MIKE KNUBLE, DAVID VAN ANDEL & KYLE VAN ANDEL; THE TITLE SPONSOR GROUP
ENJOYING THE DAY; CAROL VAN ANDEL & SUSAN SHAW; SPECIAL GUEST MIKE KNUBLE DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INSTITUTE’S MISSION;
THE SILENT AUCTION TABLE FEATURING A VARIETY OF RED WINGS MERCHANDISE SIGNED BY MIKE KNUBLE
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 15

EVENTS
COUTURE FOR A CURE
Fashionistas from across West Michigan joined Van Andel
Institute for the 14th annual Couture for a Cure. This year’s
event featured a fashion presentation by Leigh’s, and a runway
show featuring designer Victoria Hayes Fall/Winter ’19 collection,
as well as an Amway Artistry beauty lounge and strolling appetizers
and cocktail stations.
Thank you to the Presenting Sponsor: Leigh’s; and the Title
Sponsor: Amway.
(STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) THE ARTISTRY BEAUTY LOUNGE FEATURING HAIR & MAKEUP TOUCHUPS; GUESTS ENJOY AN
EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT VICTORIA HAYES’ FALL/WINTER ‘19 COLLECTION; CAROL VAN ANDEL SHARES THE INSTITUTE’S LASTEST RESEARCH UPDATES
16 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

(STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) AMWAY’S CANDACE MATTHEWS EMCEES THE EVENT; A MODEL WALKS THE RUNWAY; FEATURED
DESIGNER VICTORIA HAYES, LEIGH’S OWNER REBECCA WIERDA, SCOTT WIERDA & LEIGH’S SALES MANAGER JOANNA HADJIYANIS;
CAROL VAN ANDEL WITH JANE ZWIERS & YOUNG SUPPORTERS OF THE INSTITUTE FROM HOPE COLLEGE
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 17

EVENTS
HOPE ON THE HILL GALA —
A NIGHT IN WONDERLAND
Hundreds of guests joined Alice, the Mad Hatter, Queen of
Hearts and Tweedle Dum and Dee for Van Andel Institute’s
Hope on the Hill Gala — A Night in Wonderland. Guests enjoyed
gourmet cuisine from Grand Rapids’ finest restaurants, artisan
cocktails served on hand-carved bars of chiseled ice, an uproarious
magical performance from Piff the Magic Dragon, and a dance
party hosted by AB.
Thank you to the Title Sponsor: Fifth Third Private Bank.
(STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) JEFFERY ROBERTS, CAROL VAN ANDEL & DAVID VAN ANDEL; GUESTS BID ON
EXCITING PACKAGES AT THE SILENT AUCTION TABLE; PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON ENTERTAINS THE AUDIENCE WITH HIS UNIQUE
PERFORMANCE; CO-CHAIRS OF VAI’S JBOARD AMBASSADORS, CHAD BASSETT & RACHEL MRAZ;
GUESTS DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY IN WONDERLAND
18 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

(STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) THE MAD HATTER ENTICING GUESTS TO A TEA PARTY; VAI’S DR. HEIDI LEMPRADL ENJOYS A
CARD TRICK; THE CHESHIRE CAT SMILES AT GUESTS AS THEY CELEBRATE THE EVENING; WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS DESSERTS
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 19

EVENTS
A CONVERSATION ABOUT
METABOLISM AND NUTRITION—
HOSTED BY CAROL VAN ANDEL
A Conversation About Metabolism and Nurition — Hosted by
Carol Van Andel placed a powerful spotlight on the Institute’s
exciting new research into how metabolism and nutrition
can play a role in diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s.
During this informative event, VAI’s Dr. Russell Jones and Dr. Connie
Krawczyk provided information on their research, and how these
biological functions can both prevent and proliferate disease.
The two esteemed scientists also answered questions from those
in attendance.
Thank you to the Title Sponsor: Howard Miller.
(STARTING AT THE LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) DR. RUSSELL JONES, DR. CONNIE KRAWCZYK & WOOD TV’S MARANDA; CAROL VAN ANDEL
HOSTING THE EVENT; GUESTS NETWORK BEFORE THE EVENT; VAI’S CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER DR. PETER A. JONES MINGLING WITH GUESTS
20 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAI PUBLIC LECTURE: A FOCUS
ON TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
Taking scientific discoveries from the lab to the doctor’s office
requires a complex system of testing and trials. Translational
medicine is an important area of research which aims to better
understand scientific discoveries that might be beneficial to human
health. Guests attending A Focus on Translational Medicine learned
how data from basic research and clinical trials is translated into new
diagnostics and therapies that might one day benefit patients.
Dr. Matt Steensma, a scientific investigator in the Institute’s Center
for Skeletal Disease Research, and Dr. Stephen Baylin, co-leader of
the Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To Cancer Epigenetics Dream
Team, both presented their work and answered questions during
this research-focused event.
VAI PUBLIC LECTURE: A FOCUS ON
EDUCATION IN AMERICA
Our world is changing rapidly — new technologies, access
to information and the demands of the modern workforce
present students and teachers with an impressive amount
of challenges. Van Andel Institute’s chief education officer, Terra
Tarango, presented the various ways the Institute is creating
classrooms where students are prepared to meet the challenges
of the 21st century during A Focus on Education in America. Guests
learned about Common Core Standards, standards-based
grading practices, project-based learning and new ways to create
classrooms that are filled with engaged learners.
(STARTING AT THE LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) BRETT HOLLEMAN, DR. MATT STEENSMA & DR. STEPHEN BAYLIN;
TERRA TARANGO; GUESTS PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 21

EVENTS
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS EVENT SPONSORS
To learn more about sponsoring an event, contact Sarah Rollman at sarah.rollman@vai.org.
VAI Golf Outing
Dennis & Barbara Adama
Applied Imaging
Custer Inc.
Erhardt Construction
First National Bank
Gallagher Insurance
Grand Rapids Christian Schools
Ben & Molly Hunting
iHeart Media
Life EMS Ambulance
Macatawa Bank
Making the Turn Against Parkinson’s
Merrill Lynch — Veldheer, Long, Mackay &
Bernecker Group
Metro Health — University of
Michigan Health
Midwest Capital Advisors, LLC
Pine Rest
Priority Health
Regal Financial Group LLC.
Rockford Construction
John & Therese Rowerdink
Secrest Wardle
Summit Point Roofing
The John Dykema & Michele Maly-Dykema
Family Foundation
The Sharpe Collection
Thomas & Mary Stuit
US Bank
Dave & Beth Van Portfliet
Brian & Lori Vander Baan
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Advisors
West Michigan Woman
Zip Xpress, Inc.
Couture for a Cure
Amway
Bengtson Center for Aesthetics &
Plastic Surgery
Franco & Alessandra Bianchi
Chuck & Christine Boelkins
Cheeky Strut
Consumers Credit Union
Mimi Cummings
Cumulus
CWD Real Estate Investment
David & Carol Van Andel Family Foundation
Deloitte
Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh
Divani
Eileen DeVries Family Foundation
Eurest
First National Bank
Gallagher Insurance
Jana Hall
Kurt & Madelon Hassberger
Paul & Sheryl Haverkate
Dave & Donna Hockstra
Bill & Starr Humphries
Jandernoa Foundation
Jeffery Roberts Design
Dr. Peter & Veronica Jones
Lake Michigan Credit Union
McAlvey Merchant & Associates
Deb Meijer
Mercy Health
Modern Day Collective
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Tom & Brenda Rinks
Scott Group Studio
The Steve & Amy Van Andel Foundation
Todd Wenzel Automotive
Townsquare Media
Sharon Van Dellen
Mike & Bonnie Walters
West Michigan Woman
Wheelhouse Kitchen & Cocktails
Greg & Meg Willit
Jim & Jane Zwiers
Hope on the Hill
Amway
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Anonymous
Aon
Aquinas College
Autocam Medical
Betz Industries
BHS Insurance
Dave & Jill Bielema
Bluewater Technologies
Chuck & Christine Boelkins
BRAVO
Buist Electric
Butcher’s Union
Jerry & Suzanne Callahan
Cancer & Hematology Centers of
Western Michigan
Cascade Rental
Center for Physical Rehabilitation
CityFlatsHotel
Colliers International
Crowe LLP
Cumulus Media
Tom & Tracy Curran
Custer Inc.
Davenport University
David & Carol Van Andel Family Foundation
Deloitte
Divani
Jeff & Mary Dixon
Eenhoorn, LLC
Ellis Parking Company
Erhardt Construction
Ferris Coffee & Nut Co.
Fifth Third Bank
Foremost Insurance Company
Fred L. Hansen Corporation
Gallagher Insurance
Grand Valley State University
Martin & Peggy Greydanus
Kurt & Madelon Hassberger
HealthBridge
Hope College
Hope Network
Howard Miller
Huizenga Group
Ice Sculptures, LTD
ICN Foundation
iHeart Media
Independent Bank
Jandernoa Foundation
Julie & Dan Horning Family FUN’d
Craig & Debra Kinney
Kitchen 67
Al & Robin Koop
Blake & Mary Krueger
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Ray & Jeannine Lanning
Leo’s
Lighthouse Group
Gary & Vicky Ludema
Macatawa Bank
McAlvey Merchant & Associates
Mercy Health
Merrill Lynch — The Veldheer, Long,
Mackay & Bernecker Group
Metro Health
22 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Michelle Crumback Jewelry
Michigan State University College of
Human Medicine
MLive Media Group
Modern Day Collective
New Holland Brewing
Norris Perne & French, LLP
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan
Owens-Ames-Kimball Co.
Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation
Pioneer Construction
Pitsch Company
Plastic Surgery Associates
Priority Health
Quality Air Service, Inc.
Rehmann
Reserve Wine & Food
Rockford Construction
Eve Rogus & Paul Becker
Rowerdink Inc.
Tony & Dawn Semple
Slows Bar BQ
Spectrum Health
Rob & Susan Stafford
Steelcase
Stephen Klotz Family Foundation
Sweetie-licious Bakery
Taconic Charitable Foundation
Terra
The Chop House
The Meijer Foundation
The Sharpe Collection
The Steve & Amy Van Andel Foundation
Thomas S. Fox Family
Townsquare Media
US Bank
Mike & Michelle Van Dyke
Van Eerden Food Service Company
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Wells Fargo
West Michigan Woman
Wheelhouse Kitchen & Cocktails
Greg & Meg Willit
Wolverine Worldwide
Women’s Lifestyle
Jim & Jane Zwiers
A Conversation About Metabolism
Hosted by Carol Van Andel
Cornerstone University
Gallagher Insurance
Howard Miller
iHeart Media
Jana Hall
Kent County Medical Society Alliance
Leigh’s
Townsquare Media
West Michigan Woman
Dr. Bart & Wendy Williams
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 23

PURPLE COMMUNITY
STUDENTS HONE LEADERSHIP SKILLS AT VAI PURPLE
COMMUNITY LUNCH & LEARN
Katie Tietema first heard about the
Van Andel Institute Purple Community
Leadership Lunch & Learn when a
representative from VAI reached out
to St. Paul the Apostle School, where
Tietema works.
Tietema was immediately intrigued by the
event, which brings together dozens of
students and educators to learn about the
biomedical research and science education
initiatives happening at VAI. Tietema helped
assemble a group of 70 students and
teachers to attend.
“Every single student we brought knows
someone in their family or has a close
friend who has been impacted by one of the
diseases being studied at VAI,” Tietema said.
“It’s sad but true, and it makes the Institute’s
mission very relevant to our students.”
The October 2019 PC Lunch & Learn was
the Institute’s fourth annual and the first
to be open to all schools. Approximately
180 students and educators attended, the
largest group in the event’s history.
Attendees were welcomed by WOOD-TV’s
Maranda, who emceed the event. Groups
were given tours of Van Andel Institute
for Education’s lab nearby, where chief
education officer Terra Tarango explained
the Institute’s work and how her team
creates classrooms where curiosity,
creativity and critical thinking thrive.
Students even participated in hands-on
experiments.
WEST MICHIGAN STUDENTS LUNCH & LEARN WITH PURPLE COMMUNITY
Dr. Payton Stevens, a postdoctoral fellow
in the lab of Dr. Bart Williams, hosted
a discussion with attendees about the
biomedical research being done at the
Institute. Stevens shared with students how
community support helps scientists at VAI
pursue breakthroughs that may improve
outcomes for patients with diseases like
Parkinson’s and cancer.
Tietema and her group were so impressed
by the event that they decided to partner
with Purple Community for St. Paul the
Apostle’s annual Parish 5K & Festival
fundraiser. Tietema said teachers at the
school also plan to attend future Lunch &
Learn events. This year will be the first time
the Institute will host two Lunch & Learn
events; one is in March and another in
October.
“Our students were so excited and asked so
many great questions during the PC Lunch
& Learn,” she said. “It was great to see how
engaged and interested they were.”
To learn more about Van Andel Institute Purple
Community events, visit purplecommunity.org.
24 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 25

PHILANTHROPY
DR. JUAN OLIVAREZ, DONOR
AND TRUSTEE, IS INSPIRED TO
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Dr. Juan Olivarez discovered the value of
education early in life, and he has been
helping others learn ever since.
“I had a brother with Down syndrome,
and when we were growing up, I was his
protector and teacher,” Olivarez said. “I
always loved being there for him and feeling
like I was helping him learn something new.”
medicine, research and education. This
place is a miracle.”
Olivarez and his son both fought battles
against cancer, and this personal
connection to the Institute’s research has
given him a special perspective regarding
the importance of science, awareness and
discoveries that can impact human lives.
A former teacher and clinical psychologist,
an accomplished university administrator
and a generous philanthropist, Olivarez has
supported Van Andel Institute’s mission and
education initiatives since 2008, both as a
board member and a donor. While serving
as president of Grand Rapids Community
College, Olivarez met David and Carol
Van Andel. He was inspired by their passion
for biomedical research and science
education and became interested in the
Institute they helped found.
“I knew Carol from working with her on
philanthropic events, and when David asked
me to join the Board of Trustees for
Van Andel Institute for Education, I proudly
and enthusiastically accepted,” he said. “I
knew from the beginning that the Institute
is a gem in our community and how very
lucky we are to have it here.”
Having lived in Grand Rapids for more than
48 years, Olivarez is amazed by the impact
VAI has had on the region and the city he
and his wife, Mary, call home.
“There is no doubt the establishment of the
Institute in 1996 is a marker for a shift in
the city’s skyline, as well as the education
and research infrastructure of Grand
Rapids,” Olivarez said. “It’s really hard to
believe everything the Institute has done
in such a short amount of time — what
started as the Van Andel family’s dream is
now a national and international hub for
“It’s really hard to believe
everything the Institute has
done in such a short amount
of time — what started as
the Van Andel family’s
dream is now a national
and international hub for
medicine, research and
education. This place is a
miracle.”
— DR. JUAN OLIVAREZ
“As a survivor and a person whose family
has been affected by cancer, I am well
aware that we need better treatments and
cures. I also know that if we can continue
to support research with discipline and
tenacity, we will one day find them.”
Join Dr. Olivarez and become a VAI donor
today. Contact Brett Holleman at brett.
holleman@vai.org to learn how you can
support the Institute’s scientists in their
fight against cancer, Parkinson’s and
other diseases.
DR. JUAN & MARY OLIVAREZ
26 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 27

PHILANTHROPY
HOW VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE PURPLE COMMUNITY
HELPS MAKE FUNDRAISING EVENTS A HIT
For 13 years, Pat Ringnalda has been
hosting the Bee Brave 5K to raise money
for breast cancer research. Organizing
the event is a heavy lift, but for the last
three years, that work has been made
easier with help from Van Andel Institute
Purple Community.
Bee Brave, which celebrated its 12th run
in 2019, began partnering with Purple
Community after Ringnalda attended a golf
outing to benefit VAI’s scientific research.
Ringnalda was impressed by the support
Purple Community gives its community
and corporate partners to carry out
such events. The more she learned, the
more she realized the Bee Brave 5K would
benefit greatly from partnering with Purple
Community.
“I have often said, if God gives you the
nerve to ask people for money to support
great causes, do it!” Ringnalda said. “You
start with the best institutions like VAI,
because they will give you the tools and
support you need to be successful in your
efforts.”
The Bee Brave 5K is one of dozens of
community events hosted each year to
benefit scientific research and education
programs at the Institute. Many people who
organize these events begin by wanting to
donate to a good cause, but are unsure
how to get started.
Purple Community makes it easy using an
online application that outlines each event’s
needs such as expected event location, size
and fundraising goal. Once the application
is received, it’s reviewed to determine how
Purple Community can best support the
event. Examples include setting up online
fundraising portals, designing event fliers
and more.
“Community events are an essential part of
supporting the important work happening
at VAI,” said Purple Community volunteer
coordinator McKenzie Hollern. “We want
our organizers to know how much we
appreciate their efforts by offering our full
support and resources to make their events
a success.”
To learn more, visit purplecommunity.org.
PAT RINGNALDA (RIGHT)
28 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

KAY KOO HONORS FAMILY LEGACY OF GIVING
When Kay Koo and her husband,
Dr. Han-Mo Koo, arrived in Grand
Rapids from Maryland in 1999, the
city’s downtown was a sparse collection
of shuttered businesses, fast food
restaurants and a few beautiful, old
churches. There was not, however, a
research institute back then. Dr. Koo was
one of the first scientists asked by Dr.
George Vande Woude, a cancer research
pioneer and Van Andel Institute’s first
director of research, to help build
Van Andel Institute from the ground up.
“I feel a connection with what my husband
started 20 years ago,” Koo said. “The
Institute has my heart, and I hope we
continue to grow and come up with new
therapies for diseases that affect the lives
of our loved ones. I really think my husband
would be proud of what the Institute has
become.”
“We came here because we respected the
work of Dr. Vande Woude, and even though
there was not a lot going on in Grand
Rapids at the time, we knew it would be
exciting to be part of something new that
didn’t exist yet,” Koo said.
Dr. Koo served as head of the Institute’s
Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacogenetics
until he lost a six-month battle with
cancer in 2004. His work focused on the
identification of genetic targets for anticancer
drug development for melanoma
and pancreatic cancer. He was also
an active contributor to the Institute’s
Employee Impact Campaign that supported
his fellow scientists. After his passing, Koo
began working at the Institute as Dr. Vande
Woude’s administrative assistant. Like
her husband, Koo continued their family’s
legacy of generosity as an employee donor.
“I come from a family of giving. I grew up as
the daughter of a pastor in a family where
giving of yourself was just so natural,” Koo
said. “I give to honor my husband’s memory
and to support the people who helped me
when he was so sick.”
Koo recently surpassed her 15th year as
a VAI employee, and after a decade and a
half of service to the mission, the Institute
is more than a place to work — it’s a family.
KAY KOO
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 29

PHILANTHROPY
MEMORIALS
We appreciate your trust in us to fight disease in memory or in honor of
your family and friend s — with hope for a healthier tomorrow. To make a
gift in memory or honor of a loved one, please call 616.234.5552.
Alison “Awesome Ali”
Aardema
Steven & Julie Aardema
Shirley Altoft
James & Frieda Jaynes
Lorrie Jaynes
Dominic “Nick” Amante
Gerald & Mary McDermott
Robert Anderson
David & Lynne Robinson
Jean Atkinson
David & Patti Atkinson
David Barney
Bruce & Carolyn Tuttleman
Keith Bassett
Jean Bassett
Jeanne Bergsma
Jean Swaney
James Breay
David Solis
Chester Bush
David & Carol Van Andel
Family Foundation
Robert Bylenga
William & Jackie Bylenga
Peter Bylsma
Carol Bylsma
Frank Campbell
Paul & Lynn Getzin
Robert Campbell
Jean Swaney
David Christie
Roxanne Anderson
Elizabeth Cobb
Jean Swaney
Patti Ditmar
Florence Barrett
Jack & Rhonda Barrett
Rod & Kerri Brandsen
Joseph & Suzanne Dahms
Lois Dickinson
Ryne & Julie Dickinson
Jan Hall
Stephen Heneveld
Steve & Linda Kammeraad
Joel & Karlene Krause
Maureen Dobson
Lake Michigan Dental
Peerless Steel
John & Lisa Wilson
Kathleen Drennan
Brock & Katie Plumb
Robert DuHadway
Richard & Terri MacKeigan
Bill & Linda Peterson
Terry & Laura Reese
John & Judith Wavro
David & Deborah Wurfel
Mary Kate (Katie) Dutcher
Daniel & Mona Morgan
Sam Smits & Edith
Wehrly-Smits
Katherine Williams
Melissa Eden
Keith & Carolyn Murphy
Charles Emmerich
Charles & Nancy Emmerich
Douglas & Nancy Knobloch
Todd & Cynthia Ross
Patrick & Sue Van Duinen
Francine Erb
Wally & Nina Gorak
Bernard Forystek
James & Kimberle Johnson
Fredrick Gleason
David Bevins
Timothy Haak
Mary Haak
Gisela Kah
JoAnn Crary
Dixie Anderson
David & Carol Van Andel
Family Foundation
The Dick & Betsy DeVos
Family Foundation
Fifth Third Bank
Dan & Lou Ann Gaydou
Gerald R. Ford International
Airport
Greg Northrup & Birgit Klohs
Horst & Margot Lach
Michigan State University
College of Human Medicine
Jon Nunn
The Right Place, Inc.
Ulrich & Martina Schlagwein
Doug Small
Robert Spohr
Jim Teets
Terryberry Company LLC
Mark Kastner
Brenda Kastner
Nathanael Kastner
Frank Krhovsky
James & Florence Bouwman
Renee Kuipers
Gordon & Mary Buitendorp
Sue Chavron
Frank & Kerrie Doezema
Bruce & Esther Drukker
Carl & Sandy Gronsman
Lake Michigan Dental
Evan & Lois Reinders
Sanford Leestma
David & Linda Male
Irma Leonard
Joseph & Margaret Biersack
Victor Leslie
Jean Swaney
Michelle Lunn
Michelle Lunn Hope
Foundation
Jane McConnell
Memorial Alternatives
Philip McCorkle
David & Carol Van Andel
Family Foundation
John Moliassa
Matt & Robin Dhaseleer
John & Ann Moliassa
Charlotte Mulder
Roger & Beverly Mulder
Bruce O’Connor
Wally & Nina Gorak
Thomas Peterson
Anonymous
Michael & Barbara Corey
Jody Davis
Stephen & Lynne Kindy
Erik & Sally Klimek
Debra Landers
Jan London
Eric & Ruth McClure
Michelle Oole
Mark & Jill Smith
Denise Picardat
Brian & Denise Picardat
James Ponitz
Kathleen Ponitz
Jean Prose
Wally & Nina Gorak
Richard Pullen
Ruth Kemp
Neda Raterink
Gary & Neda Raterink
Rose Ray
Eugene & Barbara Gutting
David L. Rossi
Anne Rossi
John & Lucille Ryan
Donald & Patricia Patterson
Amy Schneider
JoEllen Schneider
Rajindeer Singh
Puneet Chowdhary
Cynthia Smith
Christa Cook
Daniel & Evelyn Preston
Larry & Barbara Smith
Doug & Maryln Walton
Keith Smith
Carol Smith
Ben Snoeyink
Baker Perkins, Inc.
Dale & Phyllis de Longpre
Allen & Vivian DeJonge
Gary & Terri Dewey
Mark & Donna Dezwarte
Frank & Kerrie Doezema
Timothy & Kristin Gabrielse
Carl & Sandy Gronsman
Curtis & Kristine Hancock
Laura Palsrok
Jay & Beverly Pruim
Burton & Phyllis Rozema
The Rozema Family Fund
Marianne Stehouwer
Robert & Marjorie Stuit
Eric & Pat Symanski
Dean & Carol Vanbruggen
Charlotte Stein
Keith & Theresa Kiel
Susan Suwyn
Scott Cavanaugh
Ronald Swiderek
Ronald & Alice Swiderek
Daniel Terwee
Brian & Dianne Boelens
Fred & Doris Mowery
Lewis & Nancy Travis
Donald Van Artsen
Timothy & Terri Blanch
Sydney Edlund
Jon & Mary Forslund
William & Marilyn Lundquist
30 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

TRIBUTES
(Donald Van Artsen cont.)
Dick & Connie Murley
James & Lois VanVeghel
Gordon Van Harn
Roger & Susan Bratt
Dale Vanderstelt
Dale & Pamela Vanderstelt
Timothy S. Vanderveen
Ted & Joan Vanderveen
Barbara VanHeulen
Dave & Sally Baker
Shirley Baumgardner
Raymond & Priscilla Becker
Mark & Marcia Borton
Jack & Donna Boukma
Carol Brooks
Gracespring Bible Church
Scott & Peggy Powlus
Karl & Linda Prescher
Susan Reinoehl
Richard & Lori Teft
Frank Vereecken
David & Judy Aniszko
Maribeth Constantine
Frank & Jennifer Edwards
James & Frances Norton
Sally Norton
Arthur & Karen Olson
Sharon Wieland
Albert Walcher
Raymond & Gretchen Meyer
Claudia Azkoul Walters
James & Joy DeBoer
Jennifer Webb
David & Sallie Brinks
Eric Westra
Dianna DeVries
Jack & Sandra Dik
Thomas & Mary Beth Henry
Ben & Robin Ipema
Thomas & Donna Webb
Randy Winchester
Chuck & Lois Winchester
Jerry Wright
John & Andrea Cain
Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr
& Huber, Inc.
Thomas & Julie Wright
Jacob Zagaroli
George & Linda Sharpe
Gabe Amodeo
Catherine Amodeo
Richard Lutz
Margaret Fondren
David & Carol Van Andel
Scott & Maggie Lancaster
Richard & Terri MacKeigan
Evan Beukema
Emma Beukema
Scott Bravata
Universal Forest Products
Inc.
Steven Kruithoff
Edward & Karen Bezilla
Victoria Ludema
Crowe LLP
Thomas Newhof
James & Pamela Hegarty
Ken & Jill Peirce
Christopher & Renee Peirce
George Sharpe
Thomas & Jeannine Rizzo
Greg & Meg Willit
Duke Suwyn
Kimberly Van Stee
Alvin & Joyce Docter
James Veldheer
Greg & Karin McAleenan
These lists represent gifts made between July 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019. The accuracy of
these lists is very important to us. Please contact 616.234.5552 if an error has been made.
Honoring loved ones with a memorial gift to VAI
Our mother, Gisela Kah, was a vibrant, vital woman who passed away this
summer after a decade-long struggle with dementia. We chose to honor
her by creating a memorial fund at Van Andel Institute. These tributes
fund the important research at VAI in a deeply personal, meaningful
way. We take comfort knowing that a gift in our mother’s name moves
scientists and society ever closer to finding the next breakthroughs in
treating the diseases that take our loved ones too soon.
— Birgit Klohs
— Greg Northrup
— Astrid Müller
— Julia Müller
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 31