VAI Folio

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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