VAI Folio

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Van Andel Institute is committed to improving the
health and enhancing the lives of current and future
generations through cutting-edge biomedical
research and innovative educational initiatives.
The Institute is home to more than 400 scientists,
educators and support staff who collaborate with
partners around the world to catalyze discovery and
translate bold ideas into breakthrough treatment
strategies for cancer, Parkinson’s and other
diseases.
Our Graduate School offers a rigorous, researchintensive
Ph.D. program that develops leaders in
molecular and cellular biology. And our inquirybased
approaches for K-12 education activate
life-changing progress with greater impact than
traditional academic models.
We invite you to discover our people and share in
our progress.
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OUR STORY
David & Carol Van Andel
HOW WE MAKE IT REAL
WHAT WE STUDY
RESEARCH BY THE NUMBERS
GRADUATE SCHOOL BY THE NUMBERS
WHERE WE COLLABORATE
CATALYTIC COLLABORATIONS
CATALYTIC COLLABORATION
Dr. Peter A. Jones
A PERSONAL CONNECTION
Dr. Patrik Brundin
AT THE FOREFRONT
Dr. Rita Guerreiro & Dr. José Brás
A PASSION FOR RESEARCH
Menusha Arumugam
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
Ben Talsma
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
AREAS OF RESEARCH & EDUCATION
HOW WE’RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
CLINICAL IMPACT
K–12 EDUCATION MAKING A DIFFERENCE
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VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE BEGAN
WITH A VISION: TO IMPROVE
HUMAN HEALTH AND ENHANCE THE
LIVES OF CURRENT AND FUTURE
GENERATIONS.
Van Andel Institute was founded in 1996 to pursue breakthroughs in biomedical research and
promote novel approaches to science education. Under the leadership of David and Carol
Van Andel, the Institute collaborates at the forefront of basic and translational science to multiply
the impact of discovery. Through shared values and an entrepreneurial spirit, we spark innovation
to answer critical questions for our world.
“At Van Andel Institute, our mission
is simple: we want to improve lives
today and for future generations. From
our home in Grand Rapids, we partner
globally, pioneering paths to lifechanging
therapies and treatments for
people living with diseases like cancer
and Parkinson’s. We work urgently
every day, knowing that the next
development could improve countless
lives for the better. We may never be the
largest research institute, but we strive
to be the best at what we do.”
David Van Andel
Chairman & CEO
Van Andel Institute
“Our personal journey drives us every
single day. We know exactly what it feels
like to face one of these diseases as a
patient, a caregiver and a family. We’ve
lived it, and we empathize with everyone
who receives a life-changing diagnosis.
Everything the Institute does — from
research in our labs to education in the
classroom and events in the community
— is a critical part of our mission to
provide hope to those who need it most.”
Carol Van Andel
Executive Director
David & Carol Van Andel Family Foundation
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BUT IT’S NOT JUST OUR MISSION
THAT SETS US APART. IT’S HOW WE
MAKE IT REAL.
“This place is a miracle. 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.”
Dr. Juan Olivarez
Donor & Trustee
WHAT WE STUDY
Alzheimer’s disease
Metabolism
Diabetes Depression
Multiple system atrophy Neurofibromatosis type 1
Blood cancers Prostate cancer
Parkinson’s disease
Epigenetics
Aging Cancer
Sarcoma
Ovarian cancer
Dementia with Lewy bodies Osteoarthritis Breast cancer
Heart disease
Osteoporosis
Bone diseases
RESEARCH BY THE NUMBERS
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3
2
3
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Labs
Cores
Structural biology
Colorectal cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Members of National Academy of Sciences
Members of American Academy
of Arts and Sciences
Fellows of American Association
for the Advancement of Science
Fellows of American Association
for Cancer Research Academy
GRADUATE SCHOOL BY THE NUMBERS
5.3
3
3
68 %
75 %
YEARS AVERAGE TIME TO Ph.D.
SEVEN-WEEK LABORATORY ROTATIONS
DURING FIRST TWO SEMESTERS
YEARS OF DOCTORAL CANDIDATE THESIS RESEARCH
IN A FACULTY MENTOR’S LAB
Ph.D. GRADUATION RATE
TOTAL GRADUATION RATE (Ph.D. and M.D.)
WHERE WE COLLABORATE
Van Andel Institute has employees from more than 40 countries
and collaborates with scientists around the world.
CATALYTIC COLLABORATIONS
Through collaboration with key philanthropic,
academic and pharmaceutical industry partners,
we are working to translate what we learn in our
laboratories into clinical trials to develop new
treatments for cancer and Parkinson’s disease
patients.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE–STAND UP TO CANCER
EPIGENETICS DREAM TEAM
12+
TRIALS
470+
15+
CLINICAL
SITES
PATIENTS ENROLLED
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE–CURE PARKINSON’S TRUST
INTERNATIONAL LINKED CLINICAL TRIALS INITIATIVE
15 TRIALS 10
TRIALS IN
DEVELOPMENT
850+ PATIENTS ENROLLED 7

OUR UNIQUE COMMITMENT TO CATALYTIC
COLLABORATION CREATES, FACILITATES,
FUNDS AND FUELS PARTNERSHIPS LIKE NO
OTHER ORGANIZATION.
“Our mission extends far beyond the walls of the Institute. We seek out and bring
together the best minds from around the world to collaborate on the development
of treatments and cures, and we offer the leadership, support and resources that
accelerate the work they do. Our mission always leads the way at VAI, but how we
achieve it is what makes us special.”
CATALYTIC COLLABORATION
Dr. Peter A. Jones saw a remarkable opportunity
at Van Andel Institute. It was the chance to
build a model for research and discovery that
could positively impact human health while
pushing the frontiers of science.
Now, after several years and establishing
VAI as a leader in epigenetics, Jones believes
the Institute is well on its way to realizing
that vision — the result of rigorous science,
removing obstacles to progress and creating
an environment where every member of the
Institute owns the mission.
“I call it catalytic collaboration. Here, the
brightest minds work together without limits.
People want to come here because they see VAI
as a major scientific hub that turns big ideas
into real breakthroughs for human health.”
Dr. Peter A. Jones
Chief Scientific Officer
Distinguished Professor, Center for Epigenetics
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IT STARTS WITH OUR PEOPLE, EACH
OF THEM DEEPLY CONNECTED TO
THE WORK WE DO, EACH OF THEM
DRIVEN BY AN URGENT DESIRE TO
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
“When I was 13, my father was diagnosed
with Parkinson’s disease, and I knew
then what I was going to do with my life.
At VAI, we’re getting closer every day to
slowing, stopping and even preventing
the progression of Parkinson’s. We’re
pursuing some of the most exciting
breakthroughs in the field.”
Dr. Patrik Brundin
Associate Director of Research
Professor & Director,
Center for Neurodegenerative Science
A PERSONAL CONNECTION
After spending much of his career in academic
research and establishing himself as a leader
in the field of neurodegenerative disorders,
Dr. Patrik Brundin sensed a passion and
determination to cure Parkinson’s disease
among Van Andel Institute leadership that
matched his own, and he found a new path
forward.
Since joining the Institute in 2012, he has
assembled a team of world-class scientists who
bring diverse approaches to their work and
share a sense of urgency to develop treatments
that improve outcomes for real people.
“It’s important to me that our team includes
people with a range of perspectives: be it from
different scientific backgrounds, working with
new technologies, or just challenging the status
quo. It’s the only way we’re going to beat these
diseases,” Brundin said.
“Being rigorous and ambitious is how we work
here at VAI. At the same time, we all share a
personal connection to our mission that drives
us forward. That’s what unites and motivates
us to pursue breakthroughs that will improve
quality of life for people with Parkinson’s, and
one day, prevent the disease altogether.”
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IT CONTINUES WITH A CULTURE THAT
VALUES CURIOSITY AND ENCOURAGES
BRIGHT MINDS TO TAKE RISKS IN THE
NAME OF PROGRESS.
AT THE FOREFRONT
One visit was all it took for Dr. Rita Guerreiro
and Dr. José Brás, scientists originally from
Portugal, to decide to join Van Andel Institute.
From their first moments in Grand Rapids,
they sensed an overwhelming institutional
commitment and understood how fully
their groundbreaking approaches would be
encouraged. They believed the breakthroughs
they hope to achieve would be possible.
Using cutting-edge genomic technologies,
bioinformatics and computational biology to
analyze robust and timely data from every
corner of the world, they are working to
understand why and how neurological
diseases occur, mindful with every step of
a shared goal to transform people’s lives
through discovery.
“The work we do at VAI is for people,
not just for the sake of science. Our
research analyzes massive amounts
of data to uncover the similarities
in people who have been affected by
neurodegenerative disorders like
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Lewy
body dementia. This is cutting-edge
technology, but behind each data
point is a person we want to help.”
Dr. Rita Guerreiro
Associate Professor,
Center for Neurodegenerative Science
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ALL OF IT IS FOCUSED ON BRINGING
TOGETHER THE BEST IDEAS FROM
AROUND THE GLOBE TO ACHIEVE
TRANSFORMATIONAL BREAKTHROUGHS
IN SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.
A PASSION FOR RESEARCH
Menusha Arumugam was always inspired by
science, but unlike many of her peers who
aspired to become doctors, she found herself
most at home in the research lab. She learned
of Van Andel Institute after coming to the
United States from Malaysia to study biology
as an undergraduate student. During her first
visit to VAI, “the commitment everyone has
to supporting, mentoring and developing one
another here was clear right away.”
“At Van Andel Institute Graduate School,
we aren’t training students to be
students — we’re training them to be
the scientific leaders of tomorrow.”
Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg
Dean, Van Andel Institute Graduate School
Now well into her studies at VAI, Arumugam is
working alongside some of the sharpest minds
in science as she pursues advances in cancer
research. “I’m grateful for the experience I’ve
had at the Institute. I talk to graduate students
at other schools and they don’t get nearly the
level of support we do here. It’s an incredible
opportunity that’s allowing me to fulfill my
dream of helping people through my passion
for research.”
“I’ve wanted to be a scientist my
whole life. Even as a graduate student
at VAI, I already feel like a trusted
colleague. I’m treated like someone
who will contribute to the next
breakthrough in human health.”
Menusha Arumugam
Ph.D. Candidate
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BREAKTHROUGHS THAT MATTER
BECAUSE THEY ENHANCE LIVES.
“It’s inspiring to see how much a
simple experiment can transform a
child’s view of the world. At VAI, we’re
helping students learn to think in
ways that will help them become a
generation of innovators and creators.”
Ben Talsma
Learning Solutions Specialist
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
Ben Talsma has two passions:
bringing education alive for students
and making the world a better
place. It was the pursuit of these
two passions that made Van Andel
Institute the perfect fit.
Talsma first collaborated with
the Institute as an award-winning
educator. Since joining VAI, he sees
his values brought to life every day,
as teachers learn to transform their
instruction and as students find new
joy in learning.
Talsma believes that VAI is home to
an incredible combination of people,
programs and resources and that
it will impact countless students for
years to come.
“We’re in the business of giving
life to extraordinary ideas.
For students, we inspire a sense
of wonder and possibility.
For teachers, we support them
in creating learning experiences
that are meaningful and fun.”
Terra Tarango
Chief Education Officer
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THIS IS WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT.
It’s a vision that empowers us to set lofty goals and gives us the
confidence to pursue them.
AREAS OF RESEARCH & EDUCATION
EPIGENETICS
Epigenetics examines how
the instructions in our DNA
are used to determine cell
form and function. VAI
scientists are investigating
the role of epigenetics in
health and diseases like
cancer, neurodegenerative
disorders and diabetes,
with the goal of developing
new prevention and
treatment strategies that
could help millions of
people around the world.
CANCER
Cancer encompasses
more than 100 different
diseases characterized by
uncontrolled cell growth.
At VAI, scientists are
investigating how and why
cancer begins and the
mechanisms that allow it
to spread — key steps to
designing life-changing
diagnostic and treatment
strategies.
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
& NEURODEGENERATIVE
DISORDERS
Thanks to recent
advances, VAI scientists
are narrowing down the
factors that contribute
to neurodegenerative
diseases like Parkinson’s
and working to translate
these findings into new,
life-changing therapies.
METABOLISM
& NUTRITION
Metabolism is a vast array
of chemical reactions that
power every biological
process in our bodies,
from regulating appetite to
ensuring that the immune
system can fight off viruses
and bacteria. VAI scientists
are studying metabolism
and how it is impacted by
nutrition and our own genetics
to improve, predict,
prevent, diagnose and treat
disease.
BONE DISEASE
STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
GRADUATE EDUCATION
K–12 EDUCATION
VAI scientists study several
aspects of bone biology,
from the mechanisms that
give rise to healthy bone
tissue to those that cause
disease, with the goal of
developing new, more
effective treatments.
Understanding how the
smallest parts of the
human body work together
gives us vital insight into
health and disease. VAI
scientists seek to reveal
the molecular architecture
of these critical building
blocks, notably the vast
array of proteins that carry
out our biological functions.
The Graduate School
develops the next
generation of scientists
through its innovative,
problem-based Ph.D.
program in molecular and
cellular biology. Students
conduct rigorous science
and translate findings
into clinical applications,
blending discovery with
invention and insight
with application.
Through hands-on student
programs, innovative
project-based learning and
transformative professional
development for teachers,
VAI is ushering in a new era
in K–12 education — one
where students develop
not only knowledge, but
also their ability to apply
that knowledge to making
the world a better place.
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AND IT’S HOW WE KNOW WE’RE
MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
For those affected by neurodegenerative diseases like
Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. For people fighting cancer.
For students and teachers embracing the challenges
facing our world.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Establishing a link between
the appendix & Parkinson’s
Blood test for
pancreatic cancer
Developing more precise
medications
Viral mimicry improves
cancer treatment
VAI scientists identified
the appendix as a
possible starting point
for Parkinson’s, opening
the door to potential
new therapies that aim
to head off the disease in
the gut, long before motor
symptoms occur.
VAI scientists developed a
new combination blood test
for pancreatic cancer that
may help catch the disease
sooner, which could lead to
earlier and more effective
medical intervention.
VAI scientists for the first
time identified the structure
of a G protein–coupled
receptor, a major drug
target, which is a critical
step in understanding its
function and leveraging it
for treatment of disease.
VAI scientists and
collaborators have found
that anti-cancer drugs
called demethylating
agents trick cancer cells
to behave as though they
are infected with a virus or
other pathogen. This “viral
mimicry” leads to cell death,
decreasing the number of
cancer cells and improving
the effectiveness of other
treatments, such as chemoand
immunotherapies.
Earliest stages of life
VAI scientists are studying
how DNA replicates, which
may one day contribute to
the development of better
therapies for the more
than 40 diseases related
to failures in this process.
SU2C Catalyst awards
The Van Andel Institute–
Stand Up To Cancer
Epigenetics Dream Team
scientists earned two of 10
prestigious Catalyst awards
from Stand Up To Cancer,
which support clinical trials
for new bladder cancer
and non-small cell lung
cancer therapies.
Creating a cancer atlas
VAI scientists played
integral roles in The Cancer
Genome Atlas, a federally
led project to molecularly
map cancer. The more
than decade-long initiative
was the most in-depth
undertaking of its kind,
spanning 10,000 tumors
across 33 cancer types.
Spread of Parkinson’s
disease through the brain
VAI scientists were the first
to show that a Parkinson’s
disease-associated protein
spreads from parts of the
brain connected to the
nose to other brain regions
affected by the disease. The
discovery has implications
for finding ways to slow or
stop disease progression.
Van Andel Institute Purple Community collaborates with community, educational
and corporate partners to raise funds for VAI’s research into diseases like cancer
and Parkinson’s. 100% goes directly to the cause.
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AT VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE, WE
DO MORE THAN DREAM ABOUT
IMPROVING HUMAN HEALTH.
WE STRIVE TO MAKE IT
A REALITY EVERY DAY.
CLINICAL IMPACT
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE–STAND UP TO CANCER (VAI-SU2C)
EPIGENETICS DREAM TEAM
Optimizing drug combinations for a one-two punch
against cancers, including:
» Metastatic colorectal cancer
» Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
» Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
» Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML)
» Non-small cell lung cancer
» Bladder (urothelial) cancer
» Liver, pancreatic, bile duct and gallbladder cancers
» Breast cancer
K–12 EDUCATION MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Creating classrooms where curiosity, creativity
and critical thinking thrive.
International Linked
Clinical Trials (iLCT)
Repurposing existing
drugs to shorten the
development pipeline in
collaboration with The
Cure Parkinson’s Trust.
The iLCT initiative
aims to identify new
therapies for Parkinson’s
disease by repurposing
medications used
for other conditions,
including diabetes,
high cholesterol and
respiratory ailments.
200+
5K+
7K+
SCHOOLS IMPLEMENTING VAI’S
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING UNITS
TEACHERS AND LEADERS ATTENDING VAI’S
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
STUDENTS SERVED WITH VAI’S
INNOVATIVE STUDENT PROGRAMS
Van Andel Institute’s signature events are an important catalyst for scientific
innovation, bringing community members together in support of research and
educational initiatives that give people hope for a healthier future.
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333 Bostwick Ave. NE | Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | 616.234.5000 | vai.org