2022 Spring/Summer Highlights of Hope

RESEARCH
Newest
cohort
illustrates
growth at
Graduate
School
Van Andel Institute Graduate School
trains the biomedical research leaders
of tomorrow, a focus that dovetails with
the Institute’s overarching mission to
transform human health for generations
to come. We move ourselves — and the
world — closer to lasting breakthroughs
by welcoming a diversity of experiences,
cultures and thoughts.
Richard Cassidy
Kansas City, Kansas
Svetlana Djirackor
Nairobi, Kenya
In Fall 2021, the Graduate School’s largest
and most diverse cohort arrived —
14 students representing eight countries.
The new cohort bolsters VAI’s growing
reputation as a global destination for
doctoral students.
This array of students and perspectives
helps us to better understand the full scope
of health threats facing humanity. Every new
cohort that arrives at VAI strengthens our
organization and gives new shape to our
mission; indeed, for the last few years, each
successive cohort has grown larger and
more diverse.
Sofia Ievleva
Voronezh, Russia
Yanqing Liu
Shandong Province, China
The 2021 cohort includes students from
The Bahamas, China, India, Iran, Kenya,
Russia, the U.K. and the U.S. Although their
paths were different, they arrived here
united in one goal: to become the leaders
who take us into the bright future where
diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s are met
with life-changing treatment and care.
Kate Thurlow
London, United Kingdom
Xiao Wang
Yunnan Province, China
10 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE