2020 Fall/Winter Highlights of Hope

HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | FALL/WINTER ’20 ISSUE
2 VAI Scientist Breakthroughs 4 Remembering Dr. Viviane Labrie 6 Graduate School Updates 8 Education Helps Students, Teachers Adapt
10 Purple Community Spotlight: Pat Ringnalda 12 Events 16 Event Sponsors 17 Memorials & Tributes
18 Donor Spotlight: Thomas & Garretta Newhof/Prein&Newhof Research Fund
Note: Some photos included in this edition of Highlights of Hope were taken prior to distancing guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESEARCH
VAI scientists continue to achieve
breakthroughs during pandemic
Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Van Andel Institute scientists continue to make groundbreaking
discoveries, collaborate with colleagues around the world and earn recognition for their efforts. Here is a snapshot of some
recent advances and achievements.
VAI welcomes Parkinson’s expert to its team
This summer, VAI welcomed Dr. Michael Henderson to its
growing team of scientists. An expert in Parkinson’s disease and
dementia with Lewy bodies, Dr. Henderson investigates the role
of abnormal proteins in disease onset and progression, with the
goal of developing new, life-changing therapies. He has made
landmark contributions to the understanding of Parkinson’s and
neurodegeneration, such as showing that alpha-synuclein proteins
take advantage of the brain’s own structure to spread and that an
enzyme called glucocerebrosidase (GBA) plays an important role in
propelling alpha-synuclein’s propagation.
Scientists recognized for collaborative effort to take on cancer
The American Association for Cancer Research awarded 2020
AACR Team Science Awards to VAI Professor Dr. Peter W. Laird,
Director’s Scholar Dr. Stephen B. Baylin and Associate Professor
Dr. Hui Shen for their pivotal roles in the establishment and success
of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), a landmark National Institutes
of Health-led project that revolutionized our understanding of
cancer and that is hailed as an exemplar of scientific collaboration.
The awards recognize more than 100 individuals who were central
to TCGA from its inception through today. Baylin holds a primary
appointment at Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at
Johns Hopkins University.
Parkinson’s-related gene linked to cellular recycling
Growing evidence suggests Parkinson’s disease may result, at least
in part, from breakdowns in cellular recycling systems, which lead
to a build-up of toxic proteins that eventually kill vital brain cells.
Now, Dr. Darren Moore and colleagues have found that LRRK2, a
gene linked to Parkinson’s, works with other molecular complexes
to support these critical systems. As such, abnormal changes to
LRRK2 disrupt normal cellular function and could contribute to
disease onset. The discovery opens doors for possibly targeting
LRRK2 as a new way to treat Parkinson’s.
A new ‘blueprint’ reveals inner workings of drug target
A team led by Dr. Wei Lü and Dr. Juan Du has for the first time
described the near-atomic level structure of the pannexin1
channel. The molecular pathway plays critical roles in human
development, blood pressure regulation, inflammation and cell
death. Their findings, published in Nature, serve as a “blueprint”
for developing new medications for a host of conditions, such as
cancer and heart disease.
2 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Newly discovered potential biomarker could ‘flag’ tumors
sensitive to metabolic therapy
A recently identified potential biomarker could help scientists
pinpoint which cancers are vulnerable to treatment with
biguanides, a common class of medications used to control blood
sugar in Type 2 diabetes. Biguanides have long been of interest
to cancer researchers because of their ability to target cellular
metabolism, which fuels the growth and spread of malignant cells.
The discovery, published by Dr. Russell Jones and collaborators,
may give scientists a way to objectively determine which types of
cancer are sensitive to biguanide treatment and illuminates how
and why some patients may respond better to biguanides than
other patients.
First detailed images of ‘molecular machine’ provide
foundation for new therapies
Dr. Huilin Li and his team have revealed the first known atomic
structure of a “molecular machine” responsible for installing critical
signaling proteins into cellular membranes. The findings, published
in Nature, shed new light on how this process works and lay the
foundation for potential future therapies for diseases like cancer,
Alzheimer’s and cystic fibrosis.
Releasing a molecular ‘brake’ kick-starts immune cell function
The immune system’s ability to marshal specialized cells to fight
off infection relies in part on tiny molecules called microRNAs,
which act as a release for the “brakes” that keep cells dormant
until needed, according to a study by Dr. Connie Krawczyk and
collaborators. The findings reveal new insights into the nuts
and bolts of immune function and add to a growing body of
knowledge that could one day be leveraged to optimize vaccines or
immunotherapies for a number of diseases.
Early career scientists adapt to working remotely by taking
science virtual
For many scientists, working from home was a temporary transition
away from hands-on research in the lab to more virtual projects
like data analysis. As a way to ensure continued scientific discussion
and collaboration, VAI postdoctoral fellows Dr. Michaela Johnson
and Dr. Liza Bergkvist teamed up with The Cure Parkinson’s Trust
and World Parkinson Coalition to establish the Parkinson Postdoc
Program seminar series, or 3P Seminars. Launched in April, the
interactive, virtual seminars give early career researchers who study
neurodegenerative diseases a way to keep the intellectual part of
research alive by connecting with others in their field and providing
space for them to practice presenting their work.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 3

RESEARCH
Remembering Dr. Viviane Labrie
Van Andel Institute mourns the loss of Associate Professor
Dr. Viviane Labrie, who passed away in a tragic vehicle
accident August 21.
Viviane was a brilliant, imaginative and creative scientist. Her ability
to look at the world through different lenses allowed her to see old
problems in new ways, and ultimately revealed groundbreaking
insights with the potential to change lives.
She quickly established herself as a globally recognized leader in
her field. Although early in her career, Viviane already had made
pioneering discoveries that are transforming the understanding of
Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, including the revelation that
the appendix may be a starting point for Parkinson’s. Her findings
led to exciting new avenues of discovery for potential treatments
for these diseases, and shed light on the underpinnings of many
other conditions, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and
lactose intolerance. She made an indelible mark on science, her
colleagues and those she mentored, and her impact will be felt for
years to come.
Viviane was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and grew up in the small town
of Deep River, Ontario. Her childhood interest in science and the
natural world later blossomed into a fascination with the brain. She
completed her bachelor’s degree in human biology (with honors),
her Ph.D. in genetics and neuroscience and her postdoctoral
research at University of Toronto. She held her first faculty position
in Toronto before joining Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids,
Michigan, in 2016 as an assistant professor.
Innately curious, Viviane’s creativity and tenacity were immediately
evident and energizing to those around her. She rapidly
advanced, earning an early promotion to associate professor in
2019 — a tremendous achievement. Throughout her career, she
earned numerous scientific awards and honors, including highly
competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health and
Department of Defense.
Outside of the lab, Viviane was a passionate and accomplished
equestrian who competed in national events in the U.S. and
Canada, including a combination of cross country, dressage and
show jumping. She had an adventurous spirit, and was an avid
world traveler who had visited all seven continents. She also had
a lifelong passion for animals, and had a horse, Logan, three large
dogs — Mudflap, Nugen and City — and many cats.
Her enthusiasm and zest for life was contagious. Simply being in
Viviane’s presence inspired others to rise to the challenge and to
embrace the world with open arms.
Viviane is survived by her beloved husband, David Walters; her
parents, Louise Boileau-Labrie and Jean-Pierre Labrie; and her
brother, Marc Labrie. She will be remembered by family, friends
and colleagues around the world for her vibrancy, brilliance and
kindness.
RECENT BREAKTHROUGHS
Dr. Labrie was an exceptional scientist whose research shed new light on conditions including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, bipolar
disorder, schizophrenia and lactose intolerance. In recent months, she spearheaded several new breakthroughs that are
shifting our understanding of neurological disorders and the brain.
Being ‘right-brained’ or ‘left-brained’ may come down
to molecular switches
A team led by Dr. Labrie may have solved one of the most
puzzling and persistent mysteries in neuroscience: why
some people are “right-brained” while others are “leftbrained.”
The answer lies in how certain genes on each side
of the brain are switched “on” and “off” through a process
called epigenetic regulation. The findings could explain
why Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders
frequently affect one side of the body first, a revelation
that has far-reaching implications for development of
potential future treatments.
Switching off ‘master regulator’ may shield the brain
from Parkinson’s-related damage
Switching off a molecular “master regulator” called TET2
may protect the brain from inflammatory damage and
neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease, reported
a study by Dr. Labrie and colleagues. The study is the
first of its kind and points to an entirely new avenue for
developing therapies designed to preserve vulnerable
brain cells in Parkinson’s disease. Currently, there are no
effective ways to prevent Parkinson’s or to slow or stop its
progression.
4 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

DR. VIVIANE LABRIE
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 5

RESEARCH
Graduate School doubles down on
student support and global impact
amid pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a novel challenge to Van Andel
Institute Graduate School this year: How could VAI continue to
provide students with rigorous, problem-based coursework and
extensive laboratory experience, while largely working from home?
Connecting and communicating
The Institute’s faculty don’t simply lecture at their classes and
leave the rest up to the students; rather, they strive to engage with
students directly. To combat the challenges created by engaging via
virtual platforms, Graduate School faculty and staff connected with
students in several virtual town halls, providing space to discuss
concerns, challenges and resources to help the students transition
to remote learning.
“Our students are adapting to at-home work environments that
aren’t necessarily conducive to rigorous learning,” said Dr. John
Vasquez, director of assessment and professional development.
“There are many more distractions at home, and each student
faces their own unique set of disruptions. The same is true for
our faculty, and many have had to adapt to these less than ideal
conditions.”
The support of peers and colleagues helped Graduate School
students and faculty alike rise to the challenge and adapt to everchanging
circumstances. Surveys were sent periodically to check in
on students, identify new stressors and pinpoint where faculty and
staff could help.
“I’ve realized how much my graduate school experience is enriched
by my peers. This support would take the form of unplanned
discussions over lunch and in the elevator, for example,” said Nadia
Dehghani, a second-year graduate student in Dr. Rita Guerreiro’s
lab. “VAI has worked hard to find simple yet creative ways to
maintain this important component of student life for those of us
that are here now and the cohorts that will join in the future.”
DR. JOHN VASQUEZ
“A number of students were asked
by Spectrum Health if any would be
interested in working on a COVID-19
literature review. A lot of the students are
still engaged in this process — reading
material and providing feedback on
which scientific articles may benefit the
physicians treating patients.”
— Dr. John Vasquez
6 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Continuing to provide support
The Graduate School hosted its annual Stress Management Week
in a completely virtual format, thanks to the hard work of Allison
Roman, director of student support services; resources covered
topics such as self-care routines, meditation, journaling and
processing grief. Graduate School Dean Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg
reserved open office time on Zoom each week for students to drop
in with individual or general questions. Relevant questions (and
responses) were also shared online so other students could benefit
from the information.
The support continued outside the classroom and Institute.
“A number of students were asked by Spectrum Health if any would
be interested in working on a COVID-19 literature review,” Vasquez
said. “A lot of the students are still engaged in this process —
reading material and providing feedback on which scientific articles
may benefit the physicians treating patients. There’s emotional and
mental wear in this, but our students are resilient, innovative and
making great use of the scientist-leader skills we’ve helped them
develop to contribute to the greater community.”
Reimagining normal
Earlier in the year, the Graduate School expected eight students
would complete degrees in 2020; it is now likely, though, that four
will postpone degree completion until at least 2021. Seven new
students joined the Graduate School in August, and it’s uncertain
at this point what challenges future cohorts will face. One thing,
though, is clear:
“Even with all of the unknowns, our students continue to rise to the
challenge,” said Christy Mayo, director of enrollment and records.
“I get to see every single week how they continue to support one
another and to adapt. I’m proud of their dedication to not only their
work and their education, but to each other.”
LOOKING AHEAD
The Graduate School will soon make the move to a
nearby building on VAI’s campus to accommodate
larger incoming cohorts. “We’re expecting
Graduate School cohorts will double in size in the
coming years, so it was time to dedicate more
space for our students,” said Graduate School
Dean Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg. The new building
will include dedicated classroom and study spaces,
social areas, faculty and staff offices, and more.
DR. STEVEN J. TRIEZENBERG
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 7

EDUCATION
Van Andel Institute for Education helps
students, teachers adapt to distance learning
The abrupt closure of schools to slow the spread of the
COVID-19 pandemic created monumental challenges for
students, teachers and parents. Educators were under
immense pressure to shift to online distance learning,
and families hurriedly rearranged their daily routines to
accommodate the new learning environment.
This shift posed big questions for Van Andel Institute for
Education. Months of planning for student and teacher programs,
which largely take place at VAI’s Education labs in downtown
Grand Rapids, went out the window — the in-person learning
experiences that underpin the Institute’s educational offerings
were no longer possible, so VAI’s Education team had to get
creative.
“Switching to virtual on a dime definitely posed some obstacles,
but we thrive on problem-solving; so, we embraced the challenge
and discovered innovative ways to keep both students and
teachers fully engaged in remote environments,” said VAI Chief
Education Officer Terra Tarango. “Within weeks, we had students
conducting science right out of their homes and we supported
more than 600 teachers with meaningful projects that they can lead
via remote setting.”
Keep Curiosity Alive
The day after schools shut down, Education rolled out a dynamic
resource called “Keep Curiosity Alive,” curated in Google Docs.
It linked to numerous thoughtful activities that could be done at
home and was updated every week throughout the remainder of
the school year with new items.
In the course of days, hundreds of people accessed the document
for fun and innovative projects. It was a welcome resource for both
educators and parents who were themselves learning how to adapt
to virtual-only learning.
Virtual student programs
Student summer camps normally are held in-person at the Institute,
over the course of a week. This summer, VAI transitioned to a virtual
format to engage students from the safety of their homes. The
Blue Apple goes virtual
The Institute’s educators adapted each of VAI’s Blue
Apple project-based learning units — originally
designed for in-person learning — to include
instructions for how to conduct them virtually or in a
blended learning environment.
After schools closed to in-person learning, the
Institute piloted this new approach by rolling out a
virtual version of the “Prevent the Spread” Blue Apple
project, where students learn about germs and their
own unique ability to stop the spread of illnesses like
COVID-19 by adopting good hygiene practices.
The projects are available for purchase at
blueappleteacher.org.
8 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

“Switching to virtual on a
dime definitely posed some
obstacles, but we thrive on
problem-solving; so, we
embraced the challenge and
discovered innovative ways
to keep both students and
teachers fully engaged in
remote environments.”
— Terra Tarango
Institute’s educators created supply kits that were safely picked up
by families at VAI’s Education building, so that virtual learning could
still be hands-on and inquiry-based.
The Institute also is adapting its popular Afterschool Cohort and
Science on Saturday programs to be held virtually.
Teacher programs go online
The Education team has hosted professional development
webinars since 2017. At the outset of the pandemic, Education
adapted the webinars to help teachers and administrators
grappling with how to effectively implement distance learning. Over
the summer, Education saw explosive growth in registration and
participation, with 1,462 registrants between April and August.
TERRA TARANGO
meetings, and sessions can be delivered as one-hour, in-person or
virtual meetings. This allows VAI to meet educators’ needs in terms
of content, schedule and budget.
To learn more about Van Andel Institute for Education’s student and
teacher programs, visit vaei.org.
This fall, Education’s professional development seminars for
teachers will be offered virtually. VAI’s Flex PD offers an assortment
of topics important to educators in a variety of formats. Full-day
workshops can be delivered in-person or in a series of virtual
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 9

PURPLE COMMUNITY
The pandemic threatened the Bee Brave 5K —
Pat Ringnalda is fighting for its future
Pat Ringnalda was certain 2020 would be the year she retired
from her daily duties helming Bee Brave — well, as “retired”
as a consummate self-starter can be. She would pass the torch
on day-to-day administrative duties at the organization, which
champions breast cancer patients and survivors and raises tens of
thousands of dollars each year through the Bee Brave 5K to benefit
research at Van Andel Institute.
Ringnalda and her team have built Bee Brave into a community
institution and fundraising juggernaut. In 2017, Bee Brave officially
partnered with Van Andel Institute Purple Community, the Institute’s
grassroots community support network. Ringnalda chose to partner
When the first 5K was hosted in 2008, Ringnalda thought it would
be a one-off; she would raise around $500 for breast cancer
research, and that would be that. The event proved successful, so
she hosted another the year after that. And the year after that. And
the year after that.
“You could tell the energy was behind our cause,” Ringnalda said
of the race’s earliest years. “It’s gone on for 13 years. That’s not
because of me; that’s because of the community and the people
who have rallied behind our cause. It’s such a unique and beautiful
organization of people.”
“You could tell the energy was behind our cause. It’s gone on for 13 years. That’s
not because of me; that’s because of the community and the people who have
rallied behind our cause. It’s such a unique and beautiful organization of people.”
— PAT RINGNALDA
with Purple Community after she learned 100% of the proceeds
from race day would go directly to research at the Institute.
Though she would retire from the day-to-day operations, Ringnalda
planned to stay on in some capacity, providing help on race days
and continuing to drum up support from the sponsors who have
supported Bee Brave’s mission all these years.
That was the plan before the COVID-19 pandemic, before the world
ground to a halt in the face of a new and deadly threat. Suddenly,
for Ringnalda, 2020 was no longer about retiring. It was about
ensuring the race’s survival.
“It’s like you’re running a race in a mud pond,” Ringnalda said
of organizing the 5K amid a pandemic. “You can have all the
momentum and all the great ideas you want, but when there’s no
ability to do anything but stay home, what do you do?”
By partnering with the Institute and Purple Community, Ringnalda
was able to elevate the Bee Brave 5K from a race that had raised
around $50,000 each year for research to an event that brought in
$90,000 at its peak in 2018.
“I knew our cause and the money we raised would jump that much
higher, because I could say without a shadow of a doubt that our
money was staying in West Michigan,” Ringnalda said. “I don’t think
people know just how amazing it is to have Van Andel Institute and
Purple Community right here in Grand Rapids.”
To learn more about Van Andel Institute Purple Community and Bee
Brave, visit purplecommunity.org.
Like everything else, things looked different this year. The 13th
annual Bee Brave 5K was hosted on Oct. 10, in accordance with
state guidelines, with a virtual option available. Ringnalda doesn’t
know what the future holds as far as her retirement goes. That will
play out in due course. Looking back over the decade-plus she’s
spent organizing the race, she’s struck by how it’s grown.
10 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

MEMORIES FROM THE 2018 BEE BRAVE 5K: PAT RINGNALDA JOINS A GROUP OF 5K PARTICIPANTS;
PATRICK DISCHINGER, DR. MATT STEENSMA, MENUSHA ARUMUGAM & PAT RINGNALDA
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 11

EVENTS
Winterfest Celebration
As one of Van Andel Institute’s final public events held prior
to the transition to virtual events, the 15th annual Winterfest
Celebration gave more than 400 donors, supporters and
scientists the opportunity to gather for an evening of food,
entertainment and insights — all in support of Parkinson’s
disease research. Attendees enjoyed culinary delights from
local restaurants and cocktails at Cascade Hills Country Club,
accompanied by musical entertainment, a live and silent auction
and a special appearance and remarks by Parkinson’s advocate
Ron Rutkowski. In its 15-year history, this signature event has raised
more than $2.1 million to benefit Parkinson’s research at VAI.
(STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) GEORGE & MISSY SHARPE WITH CAROL & DAVID VAN ANDEL;
GEOFF & LEEANNE WIDLAK & GUESTS SOCIALIZE; JASON LAMOREAUX; MIKE & SALLY MURDOCK WITH JIM & DIANE ZUBKAS; SILENT AUCTION ITEMS;
GUESTS GATHERED FOR EVENING PRESENTATIONS; RON RUTKOWSKI
12 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAI Forum on Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s & Lewy Body Dementia
In 2020, the Van Andel Institute Forum on Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s & Lewy Body Dementia was held in Naples, Florida
— a welcome respite from the cold of a Michigan February.
The evening — hosted by Mike and Lynette Ellis and Mike and
Sue Jandernoa — featured presentations by VAI Chief Scientific
Officer Dr. Peter A. Jones and VAI associate professors and
neurodegenerative disease experts Dr. José Brás and
Dr. Rita Guerreiro. A Q&A after the presentations gave attendees
the chance to further explore how Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and
Lewy body dementia are related and the significant strides being
made toward the development of new diagnostics and therapies.
(STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE)
MIKE JANDERNOA; DAVID VAN ANDEL, DAN GAYDOU, DAVE VAN PORTFLIET &
JOHN ROWERDINK; MIKE & LYNETTE ELLIS, DR. RITA GUERREIRO,
DR. JOSÉ BRÁS & MIKE & SUE JANDERNOA; ERIC HAUSLER, PETE JOUWSTRA &
DONNA HAUSLER; DR. RITA GUERREIRO SOCIALIZES WITH SUE JANDERNOA
& KAREN CUSTER; DAVID VAN ANDEL, DR. RITA GUERREIRO & DR. JOSÉ BRÁS;
GUESTS SOCIALIZE AT GREY OAKS COUNTRY CLUB IN NAPLES, FLORIDA
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 13

EVENTS
VAI Public Lecture Series:
A Focus on Cancer Research Trends
This public lecture took place at Van Andel Institute in March
2020, prior to state physical distancing guidelines developed
in response to COVID-19, and featured insights from Chief
Scientific Officer Dr. Peter A. Jones. In his presentation, Dr. Jones
— an internationally recognized cancer expert — presented the
latest trends in cancer research and provided attendees with a
broad view of what research and treatment may look like in
the future.
(STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) ATTENDEES ASK QUESTIONS FOLLOWING THE
PRESENTATIONS; VICKY LUDEMA & GUESTS TAKE PART IN COMPLIMENTARY LUNCH OFFERINGS;
DR. PETER A. JONES; STEVE OZINGA WELCOMES GUESTS IN TOMATIS AUDITORIUM
14 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Board of Governors Dinner
Van Andel Institute’s annual Board of Governors Dinner went
virtual for 2020. Specially selected Cooper’s Hawk wine and
mini Bundt cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes were available
for members of the Institute’s Board of Governors to enjoy
from the comfort of their homes while hearing the latest
updates from VAI. The evening featured presentations by
Chairman and CEO David Van Andel and Carol Van Andel, Executive
Director of the David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation; Chief
Scientific Officer Dr. Peter A. Jones; and Chief Education Officer
Terra Tarango.
(STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) KATHY & PHIL VOGELSANG;
GEORGE & MISSY SHARPE; MISSY SHARPE PICKS UP COMPLIMENTARY MINI
BUNDT CAKES PRIOR TO THE EVENING; PICKUP STATION AT COOPER’S
HAWK WINERY & RESTAURANT IN KENTWOOD, MICHIGAN.; VICKY LUDEMA
PICKS UP COOPER’S HAWK WINE PROVIDED TO GUESTS PRIOR TO FESTIVITIES
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 15

PHILANTHROPY
Thank you to our generous event sponsors!
To learn more about sponsoring an event, contact Sarah Rollman at sarah.rollman@vai.org.
Winterfest
Buist Electric
AIC Insurance Services
Steven & Amanda Barbour
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
BD’s BBQ
Brody’s Be Café
Calamos Investments
Carnelian Energy Capital
Corporate Cocktail Co.
Cumulus Media
Custer Inc.
Deloitte
Mike & Jean Dery
Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh
Edge Natural Resources
Engelsma Homes LLC
Erhardt Construction
Ernst & Young
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Grand Rapids Christian Schools
Harvey Automotive
HB Wealth Management
iHeart Media
Macatawa Bank
McShane & Bowie, PLC
Michigan State University –
College of Human Medicine
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Oppenheimer & Company Inc.
Michael J. Murdock
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.
Palio
Perper Design
Pioneer Construction
PL Capital Advisors, LLC
Reds at Thousand Oaks
Rockford Construction
Rycenga Building Center
San Chez Bistro
Slows BBQ
Straight Line Design
Suburban Landscapes
The Chop House
The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck
Sharpe
TKS Security
Townsquare
Trillium Ventures
US Signal
Vintage Prime & Seafood
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
West Michigan Woman
Geoff & LeeAnne Widlak
Robert & Karen Wiltz
Women’s Lifestyle
16 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Memorials
We appreciate your trust in us to fight disease in memory or in honor of
your family and friends — with hope for a healthier tomorrow. To make a
gift in memory or honor of a loved one, please call 616.234.5552.
James Barcelona
Linda Colvin
Robert Geer
Angeline Meulendyk
Lorraine Stone
Rob & Katie Barcelona
Amanda Maxted
Dave & Cindy Brown
Gary Berkenpas
Wally & Nina Gorak
Roland Barchinger
Mary Lou Cook
James Goen
Benard Meyer
Daniel Terwee
David & Carolyn Setsma
Jason & Melanie Seifert
Norman & Sheryl Veldhoff
David & Sallie Brinks
Janice Wisniewski
Kristine “Kris” Beachum
Thomas Cruttenden
Bruce Lee Hansen
Marlene Moore
Timothy S. Vanderveen
Adam Rodriguez
Richard & Patricia Cebelak
Patricia Ter Haar
Mike & Nanci Marsman
Ted & Joan Vanderveen
Nicole Beuschel
Karen Foster
Kelly Havrilla
Lorraine Nezwek Green
Rebecca Vogelsang
James & Sue Baar
Jones Barton
Jason & Cindy Dawes
Lynn Archer
Stephen & Jennifer Czech
Daniel Bullard
Saad & Rana Sammani
Betty Bowser
Zach Detweiler
Elaine Henning
Holli Todd
Randy Winchester
Irwin Seating Company
David Keifer
Susan Henning
Susanne Woyciechowicz
Chuck & Lois Winchester
Jack & Maria Kindred
Russell Brinks
Christopher Klein
Ronald Hutchings
Austachio Plantamura
Jerry Wright
Connie Beverly
Adam & Kim Thomas
Doug & Kelly Hutchings
Joseph Plantamura &
RT London
Jared & Debbie Warrick
Carol Limberg
Julie Greene
Dolores Burr
Matthew & Jena Winters
Sean & Lindsey Schemmel
Nicole Wyble
David & Tamara Kroll
David Ristow
Louis & Sue Robach
Margaret Frey
Thom Ly
David & Sallie Brinks
Jeff Colby
David & Tamara Kroll
Nickolina Ly
John & Nancy Gormley
Tributes
Lee Formwalt
Sanders Foundation
Pete McAlpin
David Smith &
Peggy Child Smith
Diane Sampson
Mike & Amanda Powers
These lists represent gifts made between Jan. 1, 2020, and
June 30, 2020. The accuracy of these lists is very important to
us. Please call 616.234.5552 if an error has been made.
Jerry Genzink
David & Carol Van Andel
Roger & Sharon Sneller
David & Jane Munn
James & Gail Fahner
Herberth & Ann Alvarado
Michael & Susan
Jandernoa
Erin Overmeyer
Duke Suwyn
Amir Williams
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 17

PHILANTHROPY
Engineering a lasting legacy: The Thomas &
Garretta Newhof/Prein&Newhof Research Fund
West Michigan engineering firm
Prein&Newhof marked 50 years in
business in late 2019. To celebrate,
company leaders wanted to find a
way to honor the firm’s co-founder,
Thomas Newhof, while giving back to the
community. When they heard about
Van Andel Institute’s Scored Grant Award
Program, they chose to establish a research
fund to support it.
“We learned from VAI’s Chief Scientific
Officer Dr. Peter A. Jones how the Scored
Grant Award Program works and that there
were four scientists with great projects that
needed support in 2020,” Newhof said. “We
wanted to help make sure that they all could
keep advancing their projects.”
Highly competitive grants from federal
agencies like the National Institutes of
Health are one of the main ways scientific
research in the U.S. is funded. The Institute’s
Scored Grant Award Program provides
research funding to scientists whose federal
grant applications scored very highly, but
just below the threshold to receive federal
funding. With an extra boost to conduct
With an extra boost
to conduct further
research, scientists
with promising projects
get another chance
to put forth a revised
application for the
next round of federal
grants.
further research, scientists with promising
projects get another chance to put forth a
revised application for the next round of
federal grants.
After learning about the groundbreaking
research at VAI that benefits from
the Scored Grant Award Program,
Prein&Newhof established the Thomas &
Garretta Newhof/Prein&Newhof Research
GARRETTA & THOMAS NEWHOF
18 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

(continued from page 18)
Fund to support the Scored Grant Award
Program. The fund’s name also honors
Tom’s wife, Garretta, for her unwavering
commitment to the company’s success.
“At Prein&Newhof, we work with
communities to provide Michigan residents
with safe drinking water and wastewater
systems — both of which are essential for
public health,” said Thomas J. Newhof, the
company’s president and son of Thomas
and Garretta.
It’s here that Prein&Newhof’s goals overlap
with VAI’s mission of improving the health
and enhancing the lives of current and
future generations.
Prein&Newhof also invited its 150
employees to support the fund, and
Thomas and Garretta contributed a
generous gift of their own. The combined
gifts from Prein&Newhof and matching
dollars from VAI in 2020 are supporting the
critical research pursued in the labs of
Drs. Laird, Shi, Steensma and Wen.
For more information on how you can help
fund groundbreaking research at Van Andel
Institute, please contact Chief Philanthropy
Officer Brett Holleman at
brett.holleman@vai.org or 616-234-5045.
VAI Voice delivers our
scientists and educators
right to your inbox
Stay updated on Van Andel Institute news and happenings
by subscribing to the VAI Voice blog. It’s an easy way to be
informed of the important research and education initiatives
happening every day at VAI.
Here are some examples of what to expect:
• Informative articles about our research in areas like cancer,
Parkinson’s and metabolism
• Q&As with Institute scientists, graduate students
and educators
• Easy-to-understand explainers on the diseases and
disorders studied at the Institute
• Updates on K–12 education programs from Van Andel
Institute for Education
• Insights into Van Andel Institute Graduate School’s
innovative Ph.D. program
• Recaps of scientific and educational events held at
the Institute
And more!
To subscribe to the VAI Voice blog, visit vai.org/vai-voice.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 19

PHILANTHROPY
Support VAI through an IRA
charitable rollover
Supporting Van Andel Institute with an IRA
charitable rollover gift helps our scientists
and educators continue their work toward
improving the health and enhancing the lives
of current and future generations. You can also
designate VAI as a beneficiary of your IRA.
An IRA charitable rollover allows any individual who
is age 70.5 or older to transfer up to $100,000 from
their IRA directly to a nonprofit such as VAI this year.
You will pay no taxes on the transfer, and every
dollar of your gift goes directly to the Institute’s
research laboratories and education programs.
Your Support
We built our organization knowing that small
gestures make big differences. An IRA charitable
rollover gift, no matter the size, has the potential to
transform an idea from the minds of our scientists
into a discovery that could make a lasting and
profound impact on human health.
For more information about making an IRA
charitable rollover gift or including VAI as a
beneficiary of your IRA, please contact:
Kate Frillmann, Philanthropy Director
616.234.5515
kate.frillmann@vai.org
Steve Ozinga, Philanthropy Director
616.234.5040
steve.ozinga@vai.org