2022 Spring/Summer Highlights of Hope
This is the 2022 Spring/Summer edition of Van Andel Institute's Highlights of Hope donor publication.
This is the 2022 Spring/Summer edition of Van Andel Institute's Highlights of Hope donor publication.
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Graduate School<br />
highlights<br />
Origins <strong>of</strong> Cancer probes intersection <strong>of</strong> cancer, neuroscience<br />
The 2021 Origins <strong>of</strong> Cancer symposium, held in July, explored the intersection <strong>of</strong> cancer<br />
and neuroscience, an area that holds great promise for better understanding the complex<br />
biological interactions that give rise to disease. Students and scientists joined together<br />
for the virtual conference to discuss how the future <strong>of</strong> cancer research may combine two<br />
discrete areas <strong>of</strong> study by exploring the common threads that unite them. This annual<br />
event, organized and hosted by VAI Graduate School students, serves as a shining example<br />
<strong>of</strong> collaboration — a value that is at the heart <strong>of</strong> VAI’s ethos.<br />
Taylor Boyd joins Graduate School leadership<br />
The Institute’s commitment to training the scientific leaders <strong>of</strong> tomorrow leapt forward in<br />
October 2021 with the hiring <strong>of</strong> Taylor Boyd as director <strong>of</strong> assessment and pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
development. Boyd, who previously served in the Office <strong>of</strong> the Provost at Grand Valley<br />
State University, is responsible for assessing the Graduate School’s curriculum and cocurricular<br />
activities. He also assists VAI faculty in enhancing their teaching and mentoring<br />
skills, as well as in monitoring the progress <strong>of</strong> student learning. Boyd will also lead the work<br />
to sustain the Graduate School’s accreditation.<br />
3 quick facts<br />
about VAI<br />
Graduate School<br />
• The Graduate School has<br />
graduated 34 students to date: 30<br />
Ph.D. and four M.S. Of the<br />
30 Ph.D. graduates:<br />
70% have gone to postdoctoral or<br />
research associate positions<br />
20% have taken positions in industry<br />
• As <strong>of</strong> September 2021, 44 students<br />
were enrolled in our Ph.D. program.<br />
The student body includes:<br />
28 women<br />
13 international students<br />
2 students from populations<br />
underrepresented in the biomedical<br />
workforce (by NIH standards)<br />
4 students enrolled in dual-degree<br />
(M.D.-Ph.D.) programs<br />
• In 2020, Graduate School<br />
students and alumni contributed<br />
24 authorships on 17 research<br />
publications, with 12 authorships on<br />
11 papers in 2021.<br />
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 13
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