2022 Fall/Winter Highlights of Hope
This is the 2022 Fall/Winter edition of Van Andel Institute's Highlights of Hope donor publication.
This is the 2022 Fall/Winter edition of Van Andel Institute's Highlights of Hope donor publication.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF
HOPE
FALL/WINTER ’22 ISSUE
2 Grants drive discovery 3 New insights into ovarian cancers
4 Cryo-EM turns five 5 Study targets depression in pregnancy
6 Revealing the roots of esophagus & stomach cancers
8 Fostering scientific collaboration 10 Inspiring the next generation of researchers
12 The environment & our health 14 VAI’s Biorepository
16 Dr. Bodbyl joins Graduate School 18 Education highlights
20 Border to Bridge Run 21 A decade of hockey & hope
22 Purple Community highlights 24 Running for family & Parkinson’s
26 Donor Spotlight: Jeffery Roberts 28 JBoard Ambassadors
30 Events 37 Event sponsors 38 Memorials & Tributes
RESEARCH
Grants support innovation,
drive discovery
VAI is on track to have another exceptional year.
As of August, VAI is fourth in Michigan for 2022 National Institutes
of Health (NIH) funding — a remarkable achievement for an
independent research institute of our size. 1
Grants from federal agencies such as NIH are the main source of
funding for scientific research in the U.S. Because there is a limited
amount of these funds each year, the process for earning federal
grants is highly rigorous and competitive.
This crucial funding supports our innovative research and serves
as external validation of the world-class work happening in
our laboratories.
We couldn’t do this without you. Our generous community of
supporters helps fuel promising research projects, enabling the
collection of data required to apply for federal grants. One example
is our Scored Grant Award Program, which provides philanthropic
funding to scientists whose federal grant applications scored very
highly but fell just below the threshold to receive funding. This
approach gives scientists with promising projects the extra boost
needed to put forth a revised, successful application in the next
round of grants.
Thanks to strong donor support, this program awarded $400,000
to VAI scientists in 2020 and 2021, an investment that in turn
resulted in nearly $8 million in grant funding. This is one way
VAI multiplies the impact of gifts and supports groundbreaking
research that aims to build a better, healthier future.
Interested in supporting the Scored Grant Award Program? Please
contact Philanthropy Director Steve Ozinga at steve.ozinga@vai.org or
Philanthropy Director Kate Frillmann at kate.frillmann@vai.org.
1
NIH Reporter. 18 August, 2022. Search: Active Projects, Michigan, fiscal year 2022. reporter.nih.gov/search
$400K
in donor gifts to
VAI scientists in
2020 and 2021
$8 million
in grant funding
The Scored Grant Award Program awarded $400,000 to
VAI scientists in 2020 and 2021, an investment that in turn
resulted in nearly $8 million in grant funding. This is one
way VAI multiplies the impact of gifts and supports
groundbreaking research that aims to build a better,
healthier future.
2 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
‘Cellular barcodes’ could provide
crucial insights into ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer has long been thought
of as one disease. Thanks to research
breakthroughs, we now know that there are
many subtypes, each with their own distinct
characteristics that impact their response
to treatment.
To better understand these differences,
Van Andel Institute Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Ben Johnson is pursuing a groundbreaking
strategy — adding “barcodes” to ovarian
cancer cells to study how these cancers
start, recur and resist treatment.
Dr. Johnson, who works in the lab of VAI
Associate Professor Dr. Hui Shen, also uses
other computational techniques to
better understand ovarian cancers and
how we might be able to treat them
more effectively.
His innovative approach earned him a
prestigious Mentored Investigator Grant
from Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance,
an achievement that supports his work
and underscores the importance of
his research.
“We hope to understand how and why
certain precursor cells can ‘decide’ to either
make more of themselves or produce the
cell types that make up an ovarian cancer
tumor,” Dr. Johnson said. “The answer to
this mystery may reveal targets that we
can ultimately develop treatments against,
leading to better patient outcomes.”
Research reported in this publication is
supported by Ovarian Cancer Research
Alliance [Mentored Investigator Grant,
no. 891749]. The content is solely the
responsibility of the authors and does not
necessarily represent the official views of
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.
Read more at bit.ly/johnson-ocra.
In 2022, nearly
20,000 women will
be diagnosed with
ovarian cancer. It
is the fifth leading
cause of cancer
death in women. 1
SOURCES
1
American Cancer Society. 2022. Key statistics for ovarian cancer.
cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 3
RESEARCH
A half decade of discovery:
VAI’s cryo-EM turns five
To understand life’s building blocks — the
molecules that give structure to our cells,
fuel our bodies and play integral roles in
health and disease — we need powerful
technology that allows us to see them in
deep detail.
That’s where cryo-EM comes in. Short
for cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-
EM is a special type of technique and
equipment that helps scientists zoom in
on molecules in their natural state. The
insights gleaned from these images tell
us how molecules work, how they interact
with other molecules and how they might
be leveraged to design treatments for
diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s and
many others.
Five years ago, VAI established the
David Van Andel Advanced Cryo-Electron
Microscopy Suite. It includes three stateof-the-art
microscopes, two of which are
cryo-EM. Since then, our scientists have
made many important discoveries that are
reshaping our understanding of health and
disease. To date, discoveries include:
• New insights into how our genetic code
is repaired, a crucial process that keeps us
healthy and staves off disease.
• The first images of TRPM5, a tastesensing
molecule that may one day lead to
improved ways to treat diabetes and other
metabolic and immune disorders. To date,
the structures of three of the eight
proteins in this crucial molecular family
have been resolved at VAI.
• The most detailed “blueprints” to date
of the mechanisms used by tuberculosis
bacteria to survive attack by the immune
system.
• The first atomic-level images of a
“molecular machine” that installs proteins
on cell membranes, a crucial process
that has implications for a host of
diseases including Alzheimer’s and
cystic fibrosis.
• The first images of a special type of
molecular “gate” that lets chemical
messages in and out of cells while also
helping them maintain pH balance — a
critical function that keeps cells alive
and helps prevent stroke and other
brain injuries.
• The first high-resolution images of a pair
of molecules, DNMT3A and DNMT3B, that
play important roles in cancer and that
may serve as powerful targets for anticancer
medications.
To learn more about cryo-EM and the
discoveries made by VAI scientists, please visit
bit.ly/Cryo-EM-VAI.
“Cryo-EM is one of the
most important tools
in modern science. It
is fueling discovery
here at VAI and around
the world by sparking
advances and laying
the foundations for new
frontiers in health.”
— Dr. Peter A. Jones,
Chief Scientific Officer,
Van Andel Institute
4 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
Study highlights potential new
way to detect severe depression
in pregnancy
Many people experience
depression during and after
pregnancy. Often, these
symptoms can be mistaken
for the “baby blues,” a mix of
sadness and tiredness that
follows birth.
But for nearly one in five new
mothers, depression symptoms
can be severe. Diagnosing
and treating depression
early is critical for health and
quality of life, but there are
a host of challenges: How
can we objectively diagnose
depression? Can we measure it
to ensure treatment is effective?
And can we differentiate
between moderate and severe
cases to best guide care?
A team led by scientists at
Van Andel Institute and Pine
Rest Christian Mental Health
Services may have an answer
to these questions. They
have discovered that signs
of inflammation in the blood
may be used to predict and
identify severe depression in
pregnancy with 83% accuracy, a
potentially life-changing finding
that could help physicians
identify women who may be at
risk for depression and better
tailor their care throughout
pregnancy.
“Depression isn’t just something
that happens in the brain — its
fingerprints are everywhere
in the body, including in our
blood,” said VAI Professor
Dr. Lena Brundin, co-senior
author of the study. “The
ability to predict pregnancyrelated
depression and its
severity will be a gamechanger
for protecting the health of
mothers and their infants. Our
findings are an important leap
forward toward this goal.”
Inflammation is a normal part
of the body’s natural immune
defenses. It occurs when the
body deploys resources, such
as infection-fighting white blood
cells and chemical messengers,
to combat infection, counter
disease and promote healing,
among other important tasks.
Once its job is done, this army
of disease fighters and chemical
support staff recedes, allowing
the body to get back to normal.
Sometimes, however, too
much inflammation occurs or
it sticks around for too long.
If left unchecked, chronic
inflammation can disrupt
healthy function and contribute
to depression and many other
conditions. This is particularly
pronounced in pregnancy,
which itself is a major
inflammatory event and can
lead to the onset and worsening
of depressive symptoms.
The study, published in the
scientific journal Translational
Psychiatry, is among the first
of its kind and followed 114
volunteers from Spectrum
Health’s Obstetrics and
Gynecology Clinics throughout
their pregnancies. Participants
provided blood samples and
underwent clinical evaluations
for depressive symptoms
in each trimester and the
postpartum period.
DR. QIONG SHA, DR. LENA BRUNDIN, DR. ERIC ACHTYES & LEANN SMART
“Having an objective and easily
accessible method associated
with depression risk, such as a
blood test, provides a unique
tool for helping identify women
who may develop depression
during pregnancy,” said Dr. Eric
Achtyes, a research psychiatrist
at Pine Rest, a professor at
Michigan State University and
co-senior author of the study.
“Our findings are an exciting
development and an important
first step toward using these
types of methods more widely
to help patients.”
Co-authors on the study include
Dr. Qiong Sha, Zach Madaj,
Dr. Sarah Keaton, Dr. Martha L.
Escobar Galvis, and Stanislaw
Krzyzanowski of VAI; LeAnn
Smart of Pine Rest; Dr. Asgerally
T. Fazleabas and Dr. Richard
Leach of Michigan State University
College of Human Medicine;
and Dr. Teodor T. Postolache of
University of Maryland School
of Medicine.
The authors would like to thank
the study participants, whose
selfless contributions made this
work — and these discoveries —
possible.
Research reported in this
publication was supported by
Van Andel Institute, Pine Rest
Christian Mental Health Services
and the National Institute of
Mental Health of the National
Institutes of Health under award
no. R01MH104622 (Brundin).
The clinical trial identifier is
NCT02566980. The content is
solely the responsibility of the
authors and does not necessarily
represent the official views of the
National Institutes of Health.
The confidential National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline is free and
available 24/7 at
1-800-273-TALK (8255).
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 5
RESEARCH
Running circles around cancer:
Study reveals roots of esophagus
and stomach cancers
Rampant inflammation has long been linked to cancer, but
exactly how it pushes healthy cells to transform into malignant
ones has remained a mystery.
Now, scientists at Van Andel Institute have found one culprit
behind this connection: oxidative stress, a process that disrupts
the genetic code by damaging DNA. The findings, published in the
journal Science Advances, provide crucial new insights into the roles
of inflammation and oxidative stress in certain cancers and offers
new opportunities for potential prevention strategies.
“Our findings provide an important piece of evidence for how
inflammation and oxidative stress can cause cancer,” said Dr. Gerd
Pfeifer, a professor in VAI’s Department of Epigenetics and the
study’s senior author. “The body has a good defense system that
repairs DNA damage and reduces oxidative stress, but nothing
is failsafe. The more we know about the precise links between
inflammation and cancer, the better equipped we are to design
more effective prevention strategies.”
Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s natural immune
defenses. When presented with a threat, such as an infection or
injury, the body rallies resources in the form of inflammation to
combat the problem and promote healing.
Part of this process is the production of reactive oxygen species
(ROS), unstable molecules that play important roles in normal
cellular function and communication. Occasionally, something
goes awry that causes the inflammatory response to continue
longer than it is needed. The results can be damaging, including a
buildup of excess ROS that can elevate oxidative stress.
Using a new technique developed by his lab called circle damage
sequencing, Dr. Pfeifer and his colleagues mapped two types of
DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. They then compared their
results to mutation signatures of cancer genomes housed in the
COSMIC Database, the world’s largest database of somatic cancer
mutations. They found a match — the damage patterns identified
by the team matched the mutation signatures found in cancers of
the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as esophageal cancer and
stomach cancer.
Upper GI cancers frequently are preceded by inflammatory
precursor conditions. For example, infection with the bacterium
Heliobacter pylori can damage the lining of the stomach, causing
inflammation and ulcers. In the esophagus, severe acid reflux can
lead to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, in which the lining
of the esophagus becomes inflamed. In both cases, long-term
inflammation is associated with increased cancer risk.
Thanks to the team’s findings, the reason for this elevated risk is
now clear. DNA comprises four chemical bases that exist in pairs
— adenine (A) and thymine (T), and cytosine (C) and guanine (G).
Different sequences of these pairs encode all the instructions
for life. The team’s findings reveal that, in upper GI cancers, the
oxidative stress caused by inflammation damages specific parts
of the DNA, causing Gs to be replaced with oxidized Gs. These
errors prevent DNA from being copied accurately — a key hallmark
of cancer.
In 2022, an estimated 20,000 people will be diagnosed
with esophageal cancers and 26,000 will be diagnosed with
stomach cancers. 1,2
SOURCES
1
National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. 2022. Cancer Stat Facts: Esophageal Cancer. seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/esoph.html
2
National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. 2022. Cancer Stat Facts: Esophageal Cancer. seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/esoph.html
6 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
“Our new circle
damage sequencing
technique is allowing
us to take a fresh
look at old problems.
I’m hopeful it will be
a game changer and
inform development
of new treatment
strategies.”
— Dr. Gerd Pfeifer
“Our DNA is our genetic instruction manual. When the letters
get scrambled, the instructions can’t be carried out properly and
the result can be cancer,” Dr. Pfeifer said. “There has been a lot
of debate over the years about exactly how inflammation and
oxidative stress contribute to disease, but we didn’t have the
right tools to study the link. Our new circle damage sequencing
technique is allowing us to take a fresh look at old problems. I’m
hopeful it will be a game changer and inform development of new
treatment strategies.”
Authors include Seung-Gi Jin, Ph.D., Yingying Meng, Ph.D., Jennifer
Johnson, M.S., and Piroska E. Szabó, Ph.D., of VAI.
Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel
Institute and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of
Health under award no. CA228089 (Pfeifer). The content is solely the
responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the
official views of the National Institutes of Health.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 7
RESEARCH
New programs catalyze discovery
by fostering collaboration
In science, innovation and collaboration are a powerful
combination that fuel breakthroughs and drive discovery.
Van Andel Institute’s West Michigan Neurodegenerative Diseases
(MiND) Program and Metabolism and Nutrition (MeNu) Program are
prime examples of what we can achieve when the brightest minds
combine their collective brainpower to tackle big questions.
Established in 2021, these programs are designed to accelerate our
understanding of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s
and Alzheimer’s as well as the impact of diet and nutrition on
human health at a molecular level. The goal? To transform research
findings into much-needed prevention and treatment strategies
that improve and enhance lives.
The programs also provide crucial funding to Institute scientists
to explore unanswered questions and gather early data required
to apply for future grant funding — an important mechanism that
multiplies impact.
MiND Program
Since its inception, the MiND Program has developed and
implemented several projects to search for the origins of
neurodegenerative diseases.
One is West Michigan’s first neurodegeneration-specific biobank,
which collects blood samples from people with Parkinson’s disease.
These samples are analyzed and compared to samples from people
without the disease, which helps scientists identify the differences
that might contribute to disease onset and progression. To date,
more than 60 participants have donated blood to this
groundbreaking project.
Another project is the Brain Biobank, a first-of-its kind effort in
West Michigan. Located within VAI’s accredited Biorepository, the
Brain Biobank drives insight and discovery by providing scientists
with the samples needed to investigate the underpinnings of
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Both projects are possible thanks to the selfless donations of
volunteers in Grand Rapids and beyond.
MeNu Program
To date, the MeNu Program has funded seven projects designed to
reach new vistas in metabolism research. This catalytic pilot funding
fosters collaboration, fuels the development of new scientific tools,
kick-starts high-risk/high-reward research and generates early data
that can lead to additional grant funding.
The approach is already bearing fruit: a groundbreaking study
about how the immune system is fueled to fight infection was
published in the journal Cell Metabolism 1 and a new method
developed with MeNu funding was published in the prestigious
journal Nature Protocols and led to a $3.25 million federal grant to
explore the metabolism of immune cells. 2
MeNu also is home to a world-class mass spectrometry platform, a
suite of technology that allows scientists to investigate metabolism
in stunning molecular detail. Its installation in 2021 places VAI
among the best institutions for this platform in Michigan and in the
U.S. — a stunning achievement that will support discovery for years
to come.
Learn more about MiND by visiting vai.org/mind and MeNu by visiting
vai.org/menu.
Read more about VAI’s Biorepository on page 14.
Research reported in this publication was supported by:
1
Van Andel Institute (Russell Jones), and an Allen Distinguished Investigator Award, a Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group advised grant of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (Russell Jones).
Jones is supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R01AI165722. Support for authors on this project
include a postdoctoral fellowship award from Fonds de la Recherche du Québec–Santé (FRQS) (Dahabieh); a VAI Metabolism and Nutrition (MeNu) Program Pathway-to-Independence
Award (Longo); National Cancer Institute award no. T32CA251066-01A1) (Watson) and award no. R35CA2202901 (DeBerardinis); and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator
Program (DeBerardinis).
2
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under award no. R01AI165722 (Russell Jones).
The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or other funders.
8 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 9
RESEARCH
Inspiring the next generation of
researchers through inclusive
postdoctoral training
Exceptional science benefits from exceptional diversity, and
Van Andel Institute is committed to increasing representation in
the biomedical research community through a variety of training
programs. One such opportunity is the VAI Inspire Fellowship
— a program built to support postdoctoral fellows who identify
as members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as
defined by the National Institutes of Health. The fellowship offers
exceptional research training, a suite of state-of-the-art scientific
resources and individualized professional development, all in the
name of building a professional foundation from which Inspire
Fellows can launch their independent research careers.
The Inspire Fellowship began in 2021, with two scientists joining
VAI: Dr. Anthony Otero and Dr. Alex Soto-Avellaneda, both of
whom were kind enough to share their inspiring stories with the
VAI community, revealing their distinct paths to becoming Inspire
Fellows. Dr. Otero works in the lab of Dr. Darren Moore, where he
investigates Parkinson’s disease with a focus on how brain cells take
up information and then recycle or dispose of it. Dr. Soto-Avellaneda,
who works in the lab of Dr. Michael Henderson, researches how
Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium associated with stomach cancer,
might be involved in the development of Parkinson’s.
“Science is powered by embracing the idea that innovation blooms
when everyone has a seat at the table,” said VAI Chief Scientific
Officer Dr. Peter A. Jones. “VAI is deeply committed to fostering an
environment in which our exceptional postdoctoral fellows can
pursue research at the forefront of discovery. The Inspire Fellowship
is one way we support these remarkable early career scientists.”
10 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
DR. NAMAN VATSA, NOAH LUBBEN, DR. ALEX SOTO-AVELLANEDA & DR. MICHAEL HENDERSON
Elevating research through curiosity: The journey of
Dr. Alex Soto-Avellaneda
A few years removed from his undergraduate studies, Alex Soto-
Avellaneda was working in the restaurant industry. A Las Vegas
native, he knew the region’s extensive dining and entertainment
locales provided plenty of opportunity — but the work was making
him miserable. His original plan, an undergraduate degree and
medical school, was shaken up when he realized his dreams lay
elsewhere: in the science underlying the medicine. In the arduous
long shifts of the restaurant world, Soto-Avellaneda was set on
becoming a scientist.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get into graduate school right away and
became a little discouraged,” Soto-Avellaneda said. “Working
through that difficult time and planning for the future made me
realize that I belonged in science and I needed to work toward a
Ph.D.”
After returning to his graduate studies at Boise State University,
Soto-Avellaneda presented a poster at his first research
conference: VAI’s own Grand Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease.
The Institute left a lasting impression, he said, and it was a
fortuitous relationship, as he received an invitation to apply for
VAI’s Postdoc Preview near the end of his graduate career. This
event, which brings promising early career scientists to VAI to
explore our training offerings, was the perfect opportunity to build
relationships, and it led to a chance to apply for a position in
Dr. Henderson’s lab.
Soto-Avellaneda’s research focuses on how Helicobacter pylori, a
bacterium associated with stomach cancer, might be involved in
the development of Parkinson’s. Curiosity powers his research.
Experiments may not always be breakthroughs, he said, but they
provide increasing insight into the roots of health and disease.
As an Inspire Fellow, he believes that research is empowered
by diversity. “Groups that are more diverse tend to have more
success,” Soto-Avellaneda said. “On a personal level, and being
from Hispanic descent, it’s always been a little difficult fitting in
with predominantly white communities. Having more people that
understand where you come from, understand your background
and your history, it makes you feel more welcome and more able
to contribute to the community.”
Dr. Anthony Otero’s lifelong focus on science and curiosity
Anthony Otero knew he wanted to be a scientist when he was 8
years old. He recalls looking at his aunt’s puppy, the smallest of the
litter, and noticing it was aggressive. This was fascinating to Otero:
this animal of diminutive stature was acting in a paradoxical way,
completely opposite of its supposed behavior. It ignited a curiosity,
Otero said, and it was the seed for the rest of his career.
“I’ve had that curiosity since I was a kid,” Otero said. “It’s only
been further fueled by events that changed my perspective when
I got older.”
One of those events was a distinctly personal challenge, and it still
influences Otero’s work today. His grandmother had Parkinson’s
disease, which developed into Parkinson’s disease dementia. When
she passed, Otero could not be there, and it devastated him.
Research was his life, he said, but because of his work, he was not
able to be there for his grandmother. Even then, in his deepest
grief, Otero found inspiration.
“I was able to realize that I was exactly where I needed to be,
and that situation is the whole point of our research: working
so someone else does not lose their grandmother like I did,”
Otero said.
His passion brought him to a Gordon Research Conference,
where he met VAI faculty, including Dr. Moore. Those meetings
left a lasting impact, he said, and it inspired him to want to be a
part of the VAI team. As an Inspire Fellow, Otero finds his curiosity
validated and his research empowered. He said it’s often difficult
to find mentorship like he has found at VAI, and the hands-on
approach of the Inspire Fellowship is a natural boon, one that is
also delivering the benefits of a diverse cohort.
“The more people we have from diverse backgrounds, the more
ideas we’ll get, and that’s exactly what we need,” Otero said. “We
need more ideas, bigger ideas, and I’m proud to be part of building
that with the Inspire Fellowship.”
To learn more about the Inspire Fellowship, or if you know someone
who may be interested in applying, visit vai.org/inspire-fellowship.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 11
RESEARCH
VAI scientists detangle the
environment’s effects on our health
The foods we eat, the water we drink, the chemicals to which we
are exposed all impact our health in more ways than meet the eye.
A key example of this is epigenetics, the processes that govern when
and to what extent the instructions in our DNA are carried out.
Here’s how it works: each of our more than 37 trillion cells contain
the same genetic instruction manual. But not all the instructions
are needed in the same cells at the same time. A heart muscle cell
only needs to know how to be a heart muscle cell and can skip
the chapters on how to be a skin cell or a bone cell. Epigenetics
helps ensure the right instructions are used at the right time by
annotating DNA with special chemical markers.
Now here’s the trick: epigenetics is much more flexible than our
genetic code — and much more likely to be influenced by factors
we experience in the environment. Some of these influences are
problematic and can contribute to disease.
That’s why understanding the complex relationship between
epigenetics and our environment is so crucial — it has the potential
to radically change how we treat and prevent diseases like cancer.
Unlike changes to the DNA itself, epigenetic changes, such as those
that cause sick cells to spread uncontrollably, can be reversed,
ushering in opportunities for powerful new prevention and
treatment strategies.
DR. NICK BURTON
DR. YVONNE FONDUFE-MITTENDORF
A Conversation About Health
& the Environment Hosted by
Carol Van Andel
November 16 — Learn more and register
at vai.org/health-environment-convo.
The environment in which we live, work and play
impacts our health in many different ways. From
the air we breathe to the water we drink, we are
exposed to a host of environmental chemicals,
some with the potential to contribute to diseases
like cancer — both now and in future generations.
12 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
At VAI, we are fortunate to have an exceptional team of scientists
who are working hard to understand the nuts and bolts of
epigenetics and to translate these insights into a healthier future.
Dr. Nick Burton explores how our environment, especially microbes,
can impact our health and the health of our offspring — even
before they are born. His research has extensive implications for
understanding how epigenetics contributes to human disease and
how the environment we are exposed to today affects not only our
own health, but also our children’s.
Dr. Yvonne Fondufe-Mittendorf investigates how environmental
factors, such as toxicants, impact our genetic code and contribute to
cancer. Her research is illuminating powerful new insights that could
influence our understanding of health and disease, providing a path
forward for new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.
Dr. Heidi Lempradl is investigating how parents’ dietary choices and
environmental exposures may impact the health of their offspring
in the hopes of translating her findings into new ways to prevent
disease and create a healthier future.
Dr. J. Andrew Pospisilik examines the role of chance and probability
in how our genes are turned on or off. These processes, surprisingly,
can unexpectedly trigger, or even protect us from, disease.
DR. HEIDI LEMPRADL
DR. J. ANDREW POSPISILIK
Join us for A Conversation About Health & the
Environment Hosted by Carol Van Andel, an event
that will highlight groundbreaking research into
the intricate connections between our health and
our environments — and how these connections
may be leveraged to prevent disease and build a
healthier future. You’ll hear from VAI scientists
Dr. Yvonne Fondufe-Mittendorf, who studies the
link between cancer and toxicants like arsenic,
and Dr. Heidi Lempradl, who investigates how the
effects of certain chemical exposures could ripple
through the generations.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 13
RESEARCH
Supporting science, a sample at a time
Science can’t happen without samples.
Tissue, blood, saliva and other materials are among the biological
specimens that allow scientists to investigate how our bodies
work when they’re healthy, how they change when affected by
disease and how we can better prevent, predict, diagnose and treat
conditions such as cancer and Parkinson’s.
That’s one reason why it is incredibly important that biological
samples be treated with utmost care and consistency from start
to finish. It’s a mammoth task, both in scope and complexity, that
requires specialized expertise in many different disciplines.
Enter biorepositories.
In a broad sense, biorepositories are storehouses for biological
samples (also called biospecimens). But they are so much more
than that. Biorepositories, and the dedicated scientists who staff
them, are responsible for collecting, processing, cataloging and
storing samples, and for ensuring that their use is in line with
ethical standards.
At Van Andel Institute, we’re fortunate to have our own
Biorepository that houses more than 215,000 frozen specimens
and approximately 1,000,000 fixed specimens that have been
chemically preserved. It has a major impact on research in Grand
Rapids, as well as across the U.S. and abroad, thanks in part
to involvement with several large-scale, collaborative projects
spearheaded by the National Institutes of Health and other leading
research groups.
Samples housed at VAI have helped illuminate new insights into the
origins of cancer and rare diseases like tuberous sclerosis complex.
They help power clinical trials and reveal how new medications
work behind the scenes to combat disease. And they have revealed
breakthroughs in our understanding of the genetic code, the
instruction manual for life.
“Biospecimens are the bedrock of scientific research — without
them, we wouldn’t be able to study cancer or develop new
treatments and diagnostics,” said Dr. Scott Jewell, director of VAI’s
Pathology and Biorepository Core. “Our Biorepository, right here in
Grand Rapids, powers breakthroughs across the U.S. by ensuring
our collaborators have the samples they need to do their lifechanging
work.”
The Biorepository’s commitment
to excellence is reflected in its
accreditation by the College of
American Pathologists (CAP) (no.
8017856), the world’s largest
organization of board-certified
pathologists and leading provider
of laboratory accreditation and
proficiency testing programs.
Accreditation provides objective
assurance that VAI meets or exceeds
the high standards set by CAP.
14 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 15
RESEARCH
Dr. Sarah Bodbyl joins
Graduate School leadership
Van Andel Institute Graduate School
welcomed Dr. Sarah Bodbyl as Associate
Dean in July. In her new role, Bodbyl will
support Institute faculty in training the
next generation of scientific leaders
through curriculum and course design,
implementation and review. She also will
lead professional development courses
and support graduate students in applying
for predoctoral fellowships to fund
their research.
“My aim is to support and strengthen
the Graduate School in developing our
students into innovative and effective
biomedical researchers,” said Dr. Bodbyl.
“I am excited to work with the research
faculty and the graduate program staff
to enhance the student experience
and expand VAI’s profile as a leader in
biomedical doctoral education.”
Dr. Bodbyl brings a wealth of experience
in scientific research and higher education
curriculum development. Prior to joining
the Institute, she was a faculty developer
for the Trefny Innovative Instruction Center
at the Colorado School of Mines, a public
research university in Golden, Colorado.
“Dr. Bodbyl has demonstrated a deep
commitment to training the next generation
of scientific leaders throughout her career,”
said Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg, president
and dean of the Graduate School. “We
are delighted that she is bringing her
professional development expertise to our
Graduate School, and we have no doubt she
will have a tangible, positive impact from
the outset.”
The welcome addition of Dr. Bodbyl to
Graduate School leadership comes during
a sustained growth period. In the last
year, the Graduate School moved into
new classroom facilities at 234 Division
Ave. to accommodate its growing student
body. The accredited program offers
a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. in
molecular and cellular biology as well as
M.D./Ph.D. programs to train physicianscientists.
It also features a problem-based
curriculum enabling first-year students
to think and learn like research leaders
in pursuing important questions relevant
to human disease. Senior students
focus on dissertation research and
expanding leadership, grant-writing and
communication skills.
“I am excited to work
with the research
faculty and the
graduate program
staff to enhance the
student experience
and expand VAI’s
profile as a leader in
biomedical doctoral
education.”
— Dr. Sarah Bodbyl
She also is no stranger to Grand Rapids
and Michigan; Dr. Bodbyl earned her
undergraduate degree from Calvin
University and later held several positions
at Michigan State University and at
the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station.
Dr. Bodbyl earned her Ph.D. in ecology and
evolutionary biology from the University of
Kansas, where her dissertation explored
how plants evolve in response to the
presence and absence of pollinators.
16 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 17
EDUCATION
Building the future of education
Bringing science right to your community
Our intrepid team of expert educators hit
the road to bring inquiry-based science
education right into your community
with Curiosity on Wheels, a customizable
program that gets students thinking and
acting like scientists with hands-on, funfilled
STEM investigations.
We’ve welcomed thousands of students to
our downtown Grand Rapids classrooms
over the years, but Curiosity on Wheels lets
us take our popular science explorations
out to the greater West Michigan
community and beyond. We have reached
students as far out as Flint, with plans to
return for more camps there in the future.
VAI took Curiosity on Wheels on the road to
partner with Newaygo County Prevention
of Child Abuse and Neglect for a series of
summer camps in three West Michigan
locations: Fremont, Newaygo and White
Cloud. These summer camps were made
possible through generous donors.
Whether you’re a school administrator
looking to inspire students, a camp director
in need of innovative programs or just
someone wanting to have fun, Curiosity on
Wheels can deliver.
Addressing today’s project-based content
and professional development needs
VAI’s project-based learning programs help
teachers bring this proven instructional
method to life in their own classrooms.
Many educators seek professional
development that will give them the tools
and strategies to make effective problembased
learning a reality for their students.
In the first six months of 2022, we saw
high demand for our extensive suite of
professional development programs with
Flex PD — a comprehensive, affordable
model that promotes tangible shifts in
instruction and is robustly supported by
research and teachers. Our Blue Apple
projects saw some of their most successful
months since inception in 2019.
Learning gaps caused by the COVID-19
pandemic also have been front and center,
bringing additional emphasis on summer
school. VAI rolled out Project-Based
Summer School, a program to help summer
school teachers accelerate learning.
Helping teachers and administrators,
wherever they are
As the world returns more fully to in-person
interaction, we haven’t lost sight of the
power of the internet to close the distance
between teachers far and wide in the name
of networking and sharing best practices at
a time when both are sorely needed.
VAI works to meet teachers and
administrators wherever they are through
a range of online resources. Our Timely
Topics are a series of free, 15-minute
mini-lessons that have been downloaded
more than 3,500 times by educators in over
30 countries. Our free webinars provide
teachers strategies they can use from their
classroom right away and attract on average
STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON SCIENCE ACTIVITIES WITH VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION
18 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
100 teachers from all over the U.S.
every month.
Our Better Together virtual networking
events have brought together K–12
administrators to exchange ideas on how to
increase engagement, accelerate learning
and incorporate elements such as socialemotional
and project-based learning in
their schools. Similarly, VAI’s Admin Guides
give administrators free, comprehensive
research and recommendations on
key topics such as school improvement
planning and teacher morale.
To access the resources listed here and learn
more about VAI’s K–12 programs, visit
vai.org/k-12-education.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 19
PURPLE COMMUNITY
Border to Bridge Run: Charging across
Michigan for breast cancer research
Three hundred and thirty-five miles. That’s how far three
Van Andel Institute Purple Community supporters ran in one
week in June. Their physical journey, from the Indiana-Michigan
border to the Mackinac Bridge, took only eight days, but it was the
culmination of years of effort, dedication and passion.
Becky Bravata, Lieschen Jacobs and Liz Burnis began brainstorming
ways to get involved during the height of the pandemic, looking to
merge their love of running with a meaningful cause. The result
was the Border to Bridge Run, an ambitious endeavor to test their
endurance and raise funds for breast cancer research.
Their training was grueling but worth it: 40 miles on Saturday and
another 40 miles on Sunday. The preparation matched the pace of
the event, where the three women ran 40 to 50 miles each day. It
was a physical challenge, overcome by determination and passion
for the cause.
“There was never a moment where we wanted to stop. We were on
a runner’s high all week long,” Bravata said. “We encouraged each
other, and we were cheered on by family members, friends and
total strangers who walked, ran or drove alongside us.”
All three women have been impacted by cancer, knowing
friends and family members who have faced the disease. Their
experiences, combined with hundreds of stories on social
media, played a key role in inspiring the Border to Bridge Run. An
inspiration they relied on during the most challenging terrain: they
were doing this for those who are no longer here, Jacobs said, and
those who are living with cancer every day.
“This was an unforgettable adventure, but we did it to help address
breast cancer,” Jacobs said. “There was always a vivid reminder that
we’re doing it with a very specific purpose and with the hope that
we can make a difference.”
20 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
In addition to running, the trio took time to make dedications
to those who donated, sharing the names of survivors, donors
and those impacted by breast cancer at various mile markers
throughout their journey. It felt like they were running with
everyone who donated to their event, Burnis said, making every
stride just a bit lighter.
Bravata, Jacobs and Burnis completed their journey shortly after
7 p.m. on June 11. They were met by their families, who cheered
them along for the last few steps. After crossing the finish line,
they waded into the Straits of Mackinac and shared an emotional
moment together, their hands on the bridge. A few weeks later,
the trio visited the Institute to present their donation: more than
$30,000 raised for breast cancer research.
“Everything exceeded our expectations,” Burnis said. “We are so
grateful to sponsors, those who donated and those who helped
us succeed. To beat our goal, and to be able to deliver it to the
Institute, it was an unforgettable experience.”
To learn more about VAI Purple Community and how to start your own
event, visit vai.org.
A decade of
hockey and hope:
10th Annual
Griffins Purple
Community Game
Van Andel Institute’s success depends on a vibrant community,
and the Grand Rapids Griffins continue to help elevate the
passion for Van Andel Institute Purple Community. For the last
10 years, thousands have gathered at Van Andel Arena to cheer
on the Griffins — all while benefiting the Institute’s research and
educational programs.
First held in the 2011–2012 season, the Griffins Purple Community
Game aims to engage ardent hockey fans with VAI’s mission while
raising awareness and creating connections with VAI Purple
Community. Fans have enjoyed a multitude of purple swag,
including limited-time purple concession items and special edition
purple jerseys.
The 2022 Griffins Purple Community Game raised almost $50,000,
bringing the total funds from this partnership to more than
$320,000, all of which supports research and education initiatives
at VAI.
Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Lake Michigan Credit Union.
(LEFT) LIZ BURNIS, LIESCHEN JACOBS & BECKY BRAVATA
CELEBRATE IN THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
(ABOVE) BORDER TO BRIDGE RUNNERS CELEBRATE WITH
THEIR FAMILY & FRIENDS
(RIGHT) GEORGE SHARPE SR. PERFORMS THE PUCK DROP AT THE
GRIFFINS PURPLE COMMUNITY GAME, JOINED BY LINDA SHARPE,
GEORGE SHARPE JR. & ELLE SHARPE
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 21
PURPLE COMMUNITY
VAI Purple Community: Local
passion for a worldwide impact
Passion plays a key role at Van Andel
Institute, inspiring scientists and staff to
stay focused on world-class research.
That passion also resonates within the
community, as partners host grassroots
fundraising programs through Van Andel
Institute Purple Community.
“The Batman” VAI Student Ambassador
Movie Event
Attendees were among the first to see the
highly anticipated film, all while supporting
research and educational programs at VAI.
David Wiersema Memorial Golf Outing
Coming together for the 11th year, this
golf event brought together family, friends
and community members to have fun and
support VAI.
These incredible community events are
integral in the fight against cancer and
Parkinson’s. Here are a few highlights from
this year’s VAI Purple Community events:
In 2021,
VAI Purple
Community
programs
raised more
than $300,000,
directly funding
research and
education
programs.
22 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
Duncan Lake Middle School Cancer Walk
This annual event brings together a
dedicated group of students, staff and
faculty to get active and raise funds — all
of which go directly to funding cancer
research.
West Ottawa Purple Power
West Ottawa Public Schools are proud,
longtime supporters of VAI Purple
Community, holding events all year long to
support VAI’s work. The girls’ soccer team
held their annual Purple Power game,
scoring three goals on the field while raising
funds that will provide valuable assists in
VAI’s research.
Larry B. DeSantis Memorial Golf Outing
The inaugural event of what will hopefully
become a VAI Purple Community staple,
this outing brought together community
members, volunteers and local businesses
to support VAI.
To learn more about VAI Purple Community
and how to start your own event,
visit vai.org.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 23
PHILANTHROPY
Running for family and
Parkinson’s research
Dedication, prayer and meditation are the
key elements fueling Joy Kim’s grueling
training efforts. In November, Kim and
her sisters will run from Staten Island
to Central Park during the TCS New York
City Marathon, an event that may be as
emotionally rewarding as it is physically
challenging: They’ll be participating to
honor the memory of loved ones lost to
Parkinson’s and cancer.
Kim’s mother-in-law, Min Ja, had Parkinson’s
disease and passed away in 2021. It
was a difficult time, and it elevated the
importance of biomedical research in the
eyes of the Kim family.
“My father-in-law lovingly took care of
Min Ja for six years, and we experienced
how terrible Parkinson’s can be in the
terminal stages. There is so much pain and
suffering, not only for the affected person,
but for friends, family and caretakers,”
Kim said.
That suffering was top of mind after Min
Ja’s death. The family looked to make a
generational impact and raised funds
for Parkinson’s research. Kim wanted
those donations to have a local effect and
recommended Van Andel Institute — she
knew of VAI’s work through Grand Rapids
connections and later saw the value
of her support firsthand during a tour of
the Institute.
“VAI’s impact on Grand Rapids is wonderful,”
Kim said. “You see it in the first-rate facility,
the excellent researchers and the driven
individuals who work there — they are
actively pursuing the mission to help those
who face Parkinson’s and cancer.”
Following her family‘s donation in Min
Ja’s memory, Kim remained interested in
supporting the Institute. She learned of
the VAI Marathon Team and saw it as the
perfect opportunity to run a world-famous
event while raising money for research.
She’ll be joined by her sisters, who are
running in honor of their father who
died from kidney cancer. It’s an uplifting
challenge, Kim said: whether she trains
for one or 10 miles a day, it does not
get easier, but knowing that her family is
involved elevates her commitment. And
when the training gets really challenging,
Min Ja always provides inspiration.
“She was a beautiful woman, wife, mother,
grandmother and friend,“ Kim said.
“The United States gave so many good
opportunities to her, and she always had
a desire to give back. I hope our support
of research can extend the positive
impact Min Ja had in our lives to future
generations.”
24 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
“VAI’s impact
on Grand Rapids
is wonderful.
You see it in the
first-rate facility,
the excellent
researchers
and the driven
individuals that
work there —
they are actively
pursuing the
mission to help
those who face
Parkinson’s and
cancer.”
— Joy Kim
Experience world famous marathons — and raise
money while doing it
Every runner has dreams of tackling some of the world’s most
famous routes, whether they’re looking to cross the finish line
near Buckingham Palace or experience the streets of Chicago
alongside 40,000 other athletes. Now, you can run these historic
marathons while raising money for Van Andel Institute’s research
and education initiatives.
The VAI Marathon Team, launched in 2017, secures complimentary,
guaranteed entries to marathons across the globe. More than
100 marathon runners have joined the team, running more than
3,000 miles to raise over $300,000. It’s the perfect opportunity
to challenge yourself, experience historic routes and support the
Institute.
VAI Marathon Team members receive the following benefits:
• Complimentary registration to the BMW Berlin Marathon,
TCS London Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon or
TCS New York City Marathon
• A welcome kit with VAI Marathon Team gear
• Exclusive activities before and after the race
• Contests for fabulous prizes, including complimentary hotel
rooms during race weekends
To learn more about the VAI Marathon Team and its benefits,
please contact McKenzie Hollern at mckenzie.hollern@vai.org
or 616.234.5598.
MIN JA & DR. CHUNGYUL KIM FAMILY
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 25
PHILANTHROPY
A decade of support: Inside
Jeffery Roberts’ passion for
biomedical research
Jeffery Roberts remembers saying
goodbye to Grand Rapids. As he prepared
to further his studies in Chicago, he
thought he was leaving a city that had
finished growing. Thirty-five years later, he
returned to a dramatically different place
— one thriving with educational, medical
and scientific discovery. The city had not
just reinvented itself, Roberts said, it had
refocused on helping humanity.
Classical training in the fine arts combined
with degrees in architecture, fashion and
interior design led him on a path to start his
own full-service design firm, Jeffery Roberts
Design. His return to Grand Rapids brought
new opportunities to engage with the city,
including a tour of Van Andel Institute.
“I was invited to the building to tour the labs
and get a feel for the Institute’s work, when
all of a sudden, I just started thinking ‘this is
a cause for me,’” Roberts said.
Roberts has directly supported that cause
for more than a decade, becoming a
fervent supporter of VAI through donations,
sponsorships, event organizing and
volunteering. His support extends beyond
donations, as he wants to be involved as
often as possible.
“I realize that my passion and talent can
be used to further support the Institute,
so I have to use that gift,” Roberts said.
He’s even helped organize events from
the ground up, playing a key role in
the development of Building Hope, an
architecture and design focused fundraising
event. Regardless of how busy he may be
in his professional life, Roberts always has
time for VAI.
“In our lives, we have to be aware of the
balance of our purpose within society and
our personal responsibility for well-being,”
Roberts said. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve
learned to focus on using the talents I’ve
been given to make positive impacts on
the world.”
So much involvement can be tiring but
rewarding. A self-described introverted
extrovert, Roberts needs time to recharge
after large events. He chooses to focus on
the value of VAI’s work and the commitment
of other supporters, a combination that
always energizes him to stay involved.
That energy is also fueled by a personal
connection: when Roberts was a teenager,
his younger brother died from a rare form
of childhood cancer. A patient of St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, his brother
participated in treatment research, which
developed into an approved protocol
for other patients. Seeing the direct
impact of cancer research fueled Roberts
into a lifelong commitment to support
similar causes.
“Everyone can make a choice as to how
they give back,” Roberts said. “For me,
it’s about supporting institutions like VAI,
places that are working on research that
can deliver a better future for everyone.”
Roberts is committed to ensuring that
future by continuously looking for ways to
get involved with VAI. Although his personal
connection to cancer means it will always
remain a focus, he’s recently shifted his
interest to VAI’s metabolism research and
education initiatives. These are causes
that are becoming important in his own
life, Roberts said, and he’s excited to learn
more about their development.
“Looking back at the happenings of the last
decade, you can see a clear acceleration
in terms of research and education,”
Roberts said. “You start to think ‘what is
the next generation going to do, how will
this success continue?’ You can’t help but
get excited about it, and I hope to continue
playing a small part through my support.”
“Everyone can make a choice as to how they give back. For me, it’s
about supporting institutions like VAI, places that are working on
research that can deliver a better future for everyone.”
— Jeffery Roberts
26 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 27
PHILANTHROPY
Powering the future of science
through a network of young
professionals — JBoard Ambassadors
Van Andel Institute was built on a foundation of collaboration,
innovation and inspiration — a place where scientists, educators
and staff share a passion to improve health and enhance the
lives of current and future generations. Our work is part of a
network that extends far beyond West Michigan, connecting
donors, business partners, supporters, volunteers and community
members across the globe, all in the name of supporting cancer
and Parkinson’s disease research.
VAI’s JBoard Ambassadors are young professionals who play a
key role in this network, bringing modern perspectives and an
ardent drive to improve the world around them. Ambassadors
have a unique desire to stay current with the Institute’s work
while also attending events and designing ways to empower VAI’s
future. JBoard members receive firsthand updates on world-class
research and education innovations, learning directly from those
who are making it happen.
JBoard Ambassadors receive the following perks:
• Connect with a diverse network of West Michigan young
professionals
• Learn more about groundbreaking biomedical research from
Institute scientists, allowing a sneak peek into the future
• Meet the next generation of scientists at VAI Graduate School
• Experience the future of K–12 education through VAI
for Education
• Receive exclusive invitations to health-science forums, luncheons
and events
• Earn recognition on the Institute’s website and annual report
28 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
“You get to connect to the
Institute, network with other
professionals and engage
with what’s happening
in Grand Rapids and
West Michigan. There
are learning and growing
opportunities, and you get
to support the future of
biomedical research.”
— Sydney Vucelich,
JBoard Ambassador since 2018
JBoard Ambassadors
get special access to the
following events:
Carol Van Andel Angel of Excellence Dinner &
Award Presentation
An exclusive invitation to this prestigious
evening, celebrating individuals who have
demonstrated a strong commitment to the
Institute’s mission through volunteer service
and philanthropy
Behind the Scenes
Experience unique insights into the inner
workings of the Institute at this invite-only
event
Around the World
Grand Rapids’ official kick off to summer,
featuring a tasting menu, wine selections
from artisan wineries, live entertainment and
exclusive networking opportunities
JBoard Member Mixer
Network with other young professionals at this
JBoard-only event
Public Lecture Series
Learn about the Institute’s ongoing research
efforts from the scientists that are making it
happen
Purple Community Volunteering Events
Volunteer at grassroots community efforts,
leveraging the power of local communities to
elevate biomedical research
To learn more about JBoard or to
become a JBoard Ambassador, visit
bit.ly/JBoardRegistration.
GUESTS GATHER FOR AROUND THE WORLD, ONE OF THE
SIGNATURE EVENTS JBOARD AMBASSADORS CAN ATTEND
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 29
EVENTS
Winterfest Celebration
Returning for its 17th year, Grand Rapids’ winter extravaganza
featured culinary creations, delectable drinks and thrilling
entertainment, all with the goal of benefiting Parkinson’s
disease research. Attendees gathered at Cascade Hills Country
Club to enjoy food and cocktails, live musical entertainment and
a paddle raise auction. Guests saw the direct impact of their
support as Parkinson’s disease advocates shared their stories,
bringing a personal spotlight to the value of scientific exploration.
In its 16-year history, this signature event has raised more than
$2 million to benefit Parkinson’s research at VAI.
Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Buist Electric.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) CAROL VAN ANDEL TALKS WITH JACK ROMENCE;
GEORGE SHARPE JR. & DR. PETER A. JONES;
GEORGE SHARPE JR. & MISSY SHARPE; DAVID VAN ANDEL
30 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
Van Andel Institute Forum on
Parkinson’s Disease & Dementia
Seeking a brief respite from a frigid Michigan winter, the
Van Andel Institute Forum on Parkinson’s Disease & Dementia
returned to Naples, Florida, in February. Kindly hosted by Mike and
Sue Jandernoa and Dr. Peter and Veronica Jones, guests were treated
to cocktails and a seated dinner while hearing from VAI scientists and
leaders on the Institute’s latest research breakthroughs. Presenters
included Dr. Jones, VAI’s chief scientific officer, and Assistant Professor
Dr. Michael Henderson, an expert in Parkinson’s disease and dementia
with Lewy bodies. An intimate Q&A allowed attendees to further
explore the challenges of Parkinson’s and dementia while shining
a spotlight on the ongoing development of diagnosis and
treatment strategies.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) DR. PETER A. JONES & DR. MICHAEL HENDERSON; TIM & KIM LONG, ROBIN KOOP,
CAROL VAN ANDEL, DANA & CHRIS VINTON; BARB SHAW, MICHELE MALY-DYKEMA & THERESE ROWERDINK; MIKE JANDERNOA;
DAVID & CAROL VAN ANDEL, MIKE & SUE JANDERNOA
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 31
EVENTS
Carol Van Andel Angel of
Excellence Dinner & Award
Presentation
For the last nine years, the annual Carol Van Andel Angel of
Excellence Dinner & Award Presentation has celebrated the
commitment and passion of VAI’s most dedicated supporters,
highlighting their extraordinary efforts in the service of
research, discovery and hope. The 2022 award recipients were
Amway, Jill Bielema, Bluewater Technologies, Michael and Lynette
Ellis and Grand Rapids Griffins.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) MICHAEL & LYNETTE ELLIS & CAROL VAN ANDEL; BRADEN GRAHAM FROM BLUEWATER
TECHNOLOGIES; TIM GORTSEMA FROM GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS & CAROL VAN ANDEL; VAI STUDENT AMBASSADORS;
MILIND PANT FROM AMWAY & CAROL VAN ANDEL; JILL BIELEMA & CAROL VAN ANDEL; CAROL VAN ANDEL DELIVERS REMARKS
32 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
Board of Governors Dinner
This annual dinner gathers members of Van Andel Institute’s
Board of Governors to learn of recent Institute achievements
and hear directly from VAI leadership. The event, hosted at the
Cascade Hills Country Club, featured remarks by Institute Chairman
and CEO David Van Andel, along with presentations from Chief
Education Officer Terra Tarango and Van Andel Institute Graduate
School President and Dean Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg.
If you are interested in joining the Board of Governors, please contact
Sarah Rollman at 616.234.5712.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) CAROL VAN ANDEL; TERRA TARANGO;
VAI GRADUATE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER DR. JUAN OLIVAREZ ASKS A QUESTION DURING A Q&A SESSION; DAVID VAN ANDEL
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 33
EVENTS
Around the World
Hosted by Van Andel Institute JBoard Ambassadors, Around
the World invites Institute supporters, researchers and
educators to kick off their summer by enjoying fine wine and
meals from local food trucks. The event featured interactive
activities facilitated by Van Andel Institute for Education, igniting
the curiosity, critical thinking and creativity of attendees. All
proceeds support the Institute’s K–12 education programs.
Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Lake Michigan Credit Union.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) CAROL VAN ANDEL & VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION GUESTS;
BEN TALSMA & TERRA TARANGO; GUESTS NETWORKING;
OMAR CUERVAS ENJOYS FOOD ENTREES FROM LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS; JBOARD CO-CHAIRS RACHEL MRAZ & BLAKE CRABB
34 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
Design & Discovery
Merging the inspiration of modernist furniture design with
the elegant shapes and colors of contemporary fashion, this
event inspired imagination while supporting research. Held at
the legendary Haworth headquarters and showroom in Holland,
Michigan, guests were treated to a runway show by Leigh’s
while enjoying delectable hors d’oeuvres, artisan cocktails and
complimentary swag bags. The event featured a silent auction
with a selection of quality products and experiences from
generous supporters, along with a stunning sculpture donated
by Paolo Nicolai.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, Haworth and Leigh’s.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) REBECCA WIERDA & CAROL VAN ANDEL; LEIGH’S MODELS SHOWING OFF THE LATEST FASHION;
CAROL VAN ANDEL DELIVERING REMARKS; MILLER GANAPINI & PAOLO NICOLAI; VEHICLES ON DISPLAY AT HAWORTH HEADQUARTERS
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 35
EVENTS
Curiosity Hour: Fairy Tales
gone STEM
Combining fairy tales, science, technology, engineering and
math, Curiosity Hour encouraged guests to immerse
themselves in fantasy and curiosity. Hosted by Van Andel
Institute for Education, this event featured coding challenges,
design workshops and interactive sessions with some of VAI’s
beloved classroom animals: Cleopatra the bearded dragon,
Garrus the snake and a family of hissing cockroaches.
36 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
PHILANTHROPY
Thank you to our generous
event sponsors
Winterfest Celebration
Rob & Dawn Arnoys
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Buist Electric
Calamos Investments LLC
Jerry & Suzanne Callahan
Custer Inc.
Deloitte
Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh
Ernst & Young
Grand Rapids Christian Schools
Jana Hall
Harvey Automotive
HB Wealth Management
Hines Corporation
Macatawa Bank
McShane & Bowie, PLC
MSU College of Human Medicine
Owen Ames Kimball Co.
Lee & Alexandra Perez
Pioneer Construction
P.L. Capital
Rycenga Building Group
Sharpe
University of Michigan Health —
West
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Robert & Karen Wiltz
Around the World
Accretive Company, Inc
Jerry & Suzanne Callahan
Blake Crabb
Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh
Element Four
John Hancock Financial
Matt & Sarah Jones
KM Online Marketing
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Leigh’s
Mercantile Bank
Mike & Rachel Mraz
NVINT
Lee & Alexandra Perez
Regal Financial Group
West Michigan Woman
Wicked Pro
To learn more about sponsoring an event, contact Sarah Rollman at
sarah.rollman@vai.org.
Design & Discovery
Alpine Events
John & Mary Amell
Autocam Medical
Bayside Capital
Franco & Alessandra Bianchi
Bluewater Technologies
Bradley Company/Brad & Katie
Toothaker/Chip Bowling
The Brooks Family
Buist Electric
Jerry & Suzanne Callahan
CWD Real Estate
David & Carol Van Andel
Family Foundation
Dominique & Julie DeNooyer/
DeNooyer Chevrolet/Bob &
Colette DeNooyer
Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh
John Dykema & Michele Maly-
Dykema
The Edgar & Elsa Prince
Foundation
Eenhoorn
Ernst & Young LLP
First National Bank
The George & Evelyn on 8th
Jeff & Ann Harten
The Hilldore Group — Baird
Holland Hospital
Inontime
Patrick & Jasmine Irish
Jeffery Roberts Design
M&J Foundation & F45 Holland &
Grand Haven
Paul & Anne Nemschoff
Nicolai North America
Padnos
Paolo Nicolai
Plastic Surgery Associates
Priority Health
Schupan
SIBSCO
Trans-Matic Mfg. Co. Inc.
Visbeen Architects Inc.
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Vicky Weller
West Michigan Woman
Woodways International
Jim & Jane Zwiers
This list includes sponsors of signature events
through August 2022.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 37
PHILANTHROPY
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 in honor of a loved one, please call 616.234.5392.
Jessica Berens
Bryan & Mary Jo Chisholm
Nicole Beuschel
James & Sue Baar
Caitlin Boudreau
Leigh Bryant
Lawrence & Geraldine Cushman
Anthony & Irene Gonzalez
Marion Gonzalez
Dawn Kickels
Jacqueline McGowen
Dan Norbeck & Colleen Carol
Lee Peterson
Samantha Raffee
Ted & Julie Rossman
Monica Serran
David & Cathryn Staley
Greg Tunnicliff
Bob & Sandy VanderZwaag
Sara VanderZwaag
Robert & Rori Wiesen
Anne Wise
Robert Bradford
Marvin & Ruth Bradford
Robert Bremer
Matthew & Rachael Bremer
Catherine “Dolly” Callahan
Mark & Nikki Bridges
Jeff Chamberlin
David & Carol Van Andel Family
Foundation
Scott & Ashley Delano
Richard McCarthy
Craig & Heather Meadows
Grant & Linda Sabo
Darren Schretter
Athi Toufexis
Marisa Urbina
Dave Cavera Sr.
Jennifer Israel
Matthew Douglas Christensen
Judi Christensen & Dennis Gries
Skip Coddaire
Katelyn Coddaire & Marcus
Bultman
Katelynn Conzelmann
Michael Randall
Jeff Duffield
Jennifer Finkbeiner
John Edison
Ronald & Jessie Dalman
Chuck Eich
Barbara J. Dixon
Steven & Anna Eich
EVC 14 National
EVC 17 Elite
Ryan & Megan Hall
Guy & Sharon Maniscalo
Eric Pittman
Katelyn Redlin
Larry & Lauren Zeller
Brian Gibson
Elhart GMC Nissan KIA
Anna Gove
Veronica Gove
Carol Ann Haarman
Stephen Haarman
Sue Hawkins
Alyn & Theresa Arkesteyn
Marsa Barclay
Everett Beemer
Thomas & Norma Boehm
Gene & Lila Bush
Peter & Mary Dunlap
Shane & Heather Groner
Susan Guikema
Marty Hardt
Gregory & Leslie Hawkins
John & Joan Nelson
Ken & Shirley Pierce
David & Linda Randall
Bill & Yolande Reynolds
John & Susan Scalabrino
Ronald & Marcia Schuur
Rosette Strubel
Roger & Sue Troost
Bea Idema
David & Carol Van Andel Family
Foundation
Mrs. Imhoff
Virginia Wiles
James Johnson
Laura Price
Dorothy Keen
Hannah Campbell
Teresa Conklin-Heilig
Pat McKenna
Kimberly Smith
Min Ja Kim
Andrew & Joy Kim
John F. Koehler
Shirley Koehler
Donald R. Kozal
Anne Kozal
Steve Kruithoff
Ed & Karen Bezilla
Dawn Krupp
Janice A. Brander
Peter & Susan Krupp
John & Bethal McCarthy
Universal Spiral Air
Kari Kytoma
Sanders Foundation
Allan C. Lowe, Jr.
Allan & Barbara Lowe
Gordon A. Ludema
David & Carol Van Andel Family
Foundation
Charles & Julie Frayer
Bernice Heys
Calvin Ludema
James Stull
Michel & Elisa ter Kuile
Edie Lutke
Katelyn Coddaire & Marcus
Bultman
Lena Meijer
David & Carol Van Andel Family
Foundation
Richard L. Miller
Barbara Haviland
Liz Pearson
Gerald Bach
Nicholas Elzinga
Mike Heavner
Andy Jensen
Ryan Kauffman
Charles Pearson
Jennifer Pearson
Mark Pearson
David Rawles
Frank Yancey
Richard Pullen
Ruth Kemp
Harvey Ringerwole
Joyce Ringerwole
Clementine Rogus
James Shim & Charlene Chen
David & Carol Van Andel Family
Foundation
Wayne & Maren Ehley
Rick & Deborah Nykamp
Jenny Reynolds
Matthew & Cheryl Wansten
Ernest Rutherford
Fiona McPherson Grant
Gerald R Schnurstein
Gail Schnurstein
38 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
Mary J. Schut
Anonymous
Sharon Bajema
J.W. Sifferman
Karen Barden
Anita Sinke
Kelsey Smoker
Robert R. Solberg
John & Susan Morrison
Scott & Kara Sloniker
David Sowerby
Paul & Sara Feldpausch
Kristen Sensing
Joan Veronica Teeley O’Connor
Carl & Michelle Anderson
Tom Back & Barbara Lovinger
David & Ellen Gildea
Richard Griggs & Mary Ayres
Jim & Beth Kiers
Nancy Lewis
Jill Quillen
Ken & Sandra Robb
Brendan Ross
Connor Ross
Cullen Ross
Thomas Ross
Tom & Karen Ross
John Shelburne
Michael & Laura Sovel
Russell & Esther Spoelma
Chester & Julie Walawender
Rita Uecker
Aaron & Cristina Spiller
Lois Van Andel
Daniel & Debra Mellema
Willard & Arlene Van Essen
Douglas & Sandra Van Essen
John Van Regenmorter
James & Deanna Bossenbroek
Bill Van Regemorter
Bill & Rosemary Stevenson
Evert Vermeer
Steve & Kathryn Bandstra
Vicki Clark
Kenneth Lewis
Barbara Steiner-Zehender
U.P. Concrete Pipe Company
Rebecca Vogelsang
Stephen & Jennifer Czech
TRIBUTES
Janette Cochran
Mark & Anne Armstrong
Sally Kibler
Ms. Kimberly Bos
Jack Powell
Robert & Beth Spica
Kyle Van Andel
Aaron & Hailey Van Andel
Patty Copeland
Wally & Nina Gorak
Glennis Kirkey
Ms. Kimberly Bos
Peter & Jennie Scalabrino
Ms. Frances Scalabrino
Kimberly Van Stee
Alvin & Joyce Docter
Jamie DeFeyter
Daniel & Pam Haight
Lloyd Hansen
Jim & Marie Preston
Gretchen Kauth
Mrs. & Mr. Kristin DeMello
Patricia Knoll
Pamela Geiersbach
Brock Meader
Crystal Saidoo
Corinne Elizabeth Nordlund
Robert & Edie Nordlund
Carl Seymour
Mr. Edward Dempsey
Scott & Heather Nickelson
David & Carol Van Andel
Mr. Duwane Suwyn
Sierra Zylstra
Cody & Meghan Furney
These lists represent gifts made between Jan. 1, 2022, and June 20, 2022. The accuracy of these lists is very important to us. Please contact 616.234.5392 if an error has been made.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 39
Van Andel Institute
represents a family
legacy. Founded by
Join the Jay and Betty Van Andel
Circle of Hope
A significant and growing number of individuals and households have
remembered VAI in their estate plans. These planned giving intentions
will greatly benefit the Institute’s research into diseases like cancer,
Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s and related dementias, as well as our work
to educate the next generation of scientific leaders and foster curiosity,
creativity and critical thinking in K–12 classrooms.
Jay and Betty
Van Andel, that
legacy is now
carried forward by
Chairman and CEO
VAI honors those who have included the Institute in their estate plans
through the Jay and Betty Van Andel Circle of Hope. When you notify us
of your intentions, you are invited to become a member.
We welcome a conversation about estate giving that
makes the most sense for you while also supporting
the mission of VAI. Additional information about
estate giving can be found at vai.giftlegacy.com.
Please contact:
Kate Frillmann, Philanthropy Director
616.234.5515
kate.frillmann@vai.org
David Van Andel
Steve Ozinga, Philanthropy Director
616.234.5040
steve.ozinga@vai.org
and his wife, Carol.
Highlights of Hope is supported through
Van Andel Institute operational funds,
ensuring 100% of donations go
toward the Institute’s research and
educational efforts.
JAY VAN ANDEL
BETTY VAN ANDEL