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Highlights of Hope Spring/Summer 23

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HIGHLIGHTS OF<br />

HOPE<br />

SPRING/SUMMER ’<strong>23</strong> ISSUE<br />

2 VAI scientists named Highly Cited Researchers 3 Dr. Ruan earns K99 grant<br />

4 VAI honors Parkinson’s disease scientists 5 New ways to measure cellular age<br />

6 Collaborating to fuel discovery 7 Craig Reynolds joins VAI<br />

8 VAI continues role as Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank Biorepository<br />

10 Supporting early career scientists // Clinical trial <strong>of</strong>fers hope for cancer<br />

therapies 12 Study reveals two obesity subtypes 13 Cellular waste may<br />

supercharge immune cells 14 Graduate School student awarded<br />

PhRMA Fellowship // VAI & The Scientist launch podcast mini-series<br />

15 VAI Spotlight: Dr. Triezenberg 16 Building the future <strong>of</strong> education<br />

18 Purple Community highlights 20 Donor Spotlight: Rusty & Wendy Jo Blakely<br />

22 Events 28 Event sponsors 30 Memorials & Tributes


RESEARCH<br />

Two VAI scientists named to elite<br />

Highly Cited Researchers list<br />

Van Andel Institute scientists Dr. Russell Jones and Dr. Peter W. Laird were named to the 2022 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list,<br />

a distinction marking them as leaders in their respective fields.<br />

This greatly anticipated annual list identifies researchers who have demonstrated significant influence in their chosen area or areas <strong>of</strong><br />

study through the publication <strong>of</strong> multiple highly cited papers during the last decade. Their names are drawn from the publications that<br />

rank in the top 1% by citations for field and publication year in the Web <strong>of</strong> Science citation index.<br />

Citations, or references, to a scientist’s published work by other researchers are universally considered a measure <strong>of</strong> influence and impact<br />

in the scientific community. Jones and Laird were also included on the 2021 list.<br />

Russell Jones, Ph.D.<br />

Chair, Department <strong>of</strong> Metabolism and Nutritional Programming,<br />

Van Andel Institute<br />

Dr. Jones investigates metabolism at the cellular level to understand<br />

how it affects cell behavior and health, with a specific eye on<br />

cancer and the immune system. By revealing how cancer cells<br />

use metabolic processes to fuel their growth and spread, he<br />

hopes to develop new treatments that help patients by changing<br />

the standard <strong>of</strong> care for cancer. He is an elected member <strong>of</strong><br />

the College <strong>of</strong> New Scholars, Artists and Scientists <strong>of</strong> the Royal<br />

Society <strong>of</strong> Canada and an Allen Distinguished Investigator in<br />

Immunometabolism.<br />

Peter W. Laird, Ph.D.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, Department <strong>of</strong> Epigenetics,<br />

Van Andel Institute<br />

Dr. Laird is an expert in epigenetics, a field that explores when<br />

and how the instructions in our genetic code are carried out.<br />

Epigenetic mistakes play major roles in cancer and, as such,<br />

serve as important targets for new treatments. Laird has<br />

developed several cutting-edge technologies, which he leverages<br />

to identify crucial epigenetic alterations that convert otherwise<br />

healthy cells into cancer cells. He is a principal investigator for<br />

the National Cancer Institute’s Genome Data Analysis Network<br />

and served in a leadership role for The Cancer Genome Atlas, a<br />

now-completed multi-institutional effort to molecularly map 33<br />

different types <strong>of</strong> cancer.<br />

2 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


Dr. Zheng Ruan earns prestigious<br />

K99 grant, the first in VAI’s history<br />

Earning one’s first federal grant is a major milestone in a<br />

scientist’s career. Not only do these grants provide vital funding,<br />

but they also demonstrate the promise and innovation <strong>of</strong><br />

research projects.<br />

Among the most prestigious <strong>of</strong> these early grants is a K99/R00<br />

from the National Institutes <strong>of</strong> Health, which provides support<br />

throughout the transition to a scientist’s first independent<br />

research position.<br />

In 2022, Dr. Zheng Ruan, a postdoctoral fellow in the labs <strong>of</strong> VAI’s<br />

Dr. Juan Du and Dr. Wei Lü, earned the first K99/R00 award in the<br />

Institute’s 26-year history. Ruan is a structural biologist, a scientist<br />

who uses cutting-edge technology to visualize the tiny molecules<br />

responsible for our health and, when things go wrong, for disease.<br />

Specifically, Ruan investigates how our cells sense and respond to<br />

changes in acid levels in the body. Too much acid can have severe<br />

consequences and contribute to a host <strong>of</strong> health conditions, such<br />

as stroke.<br />

Ruan hopes to reveal new insights into this important process and<br />

set the stage for new strategies to prevent and treat disorders<br />

caused by acid accumulation.<br />

Read more at vai.org/zheng-ruan-k99.<br />

Ruan is supported in part by the National Institute <strong>of</strong> Neurological Disorders and Stroke under<br />

award no. K99NS128258. The content is solely the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the authors and does not<br />

necessarily represent the <strong>of</strong>ficial views <strong>of</strong> the National Institutes <strong>of</strong> Health.<br />

“The ability to understand how various<br />

molecules in our body work makes me<br />

feel that I’m an explorer and always<br />

headed to the unknown. Being able to<br />

discover something that no one else<br />

knows in the world and expand the<br />

uncharted knowledge <strong>of</strong> human beings<br />

is a wonderful thing to do. I feel very<br />

fortunate to be able to do what I truly<br />

enjoy and find meaningful.”<br />

— Dr. Zheng Ruan<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 3


RESEARCH<br />

VAI honors game-changing<br />

Parkinson’s disease scientists<br />

Each year, VAI brings together hundreds<br />

<strong>of</strong> scientists and people with Parkinson’s<br />

as part <strong>of</strong> our Grand Challenges in<br />

Parkinson’s Disease scientific symposium<br />

and parallel Rallying to the Challenge<br />

meeting, hosted in partnership with Cure<br />

Parkinson’s.<br />

These events <strong>of</strong>fer a unique opportunity to<br />

explore the latest in Parkinson’s research<br />

while connecting the research and advocate<br />

communities under the banner <strong>of</strong> our<br />

shared goal — finding a cure. They also<br />

provide a venue to recognize individuals<br />

who have made extensive contributions to<br />

the field.<br />

Our 2022 honorees include University<br />

<strong>of</strong> Toronto’s Dr. Anthony Lang, who was<br />

awarded the Jay Van Andel Award for<br />

Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s<br />

Disease Research. Established in 2012 in<br />

memory <strong>of</strong> VAI Founder Jay Van Andel, this<br />

award is given to scientists who have made<br />

exceptional, wide-ranging contributions to<br />

Parkinson’s research. Lang is among the<br />

most highly cited researchers in the field <strong>of</strong><br />

movement disorders. His groundbreaking,<br />

multi-faceted research seeks to understand<br />

how movement disorders such as<br />

Parkinson’s begin, how they spread in<br />

the brain, and how these insights may be<br />

translated into treatments that slow or stop<br />

disease progression.<br />

Cure Parkinson’s and VAI also recognized<br />

Drs. Ray Dorsey <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong><br />

Rochester and Michael Okun <strong>of</strong> the<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Florida with the 2022 Tom<br />

Isaacs Award, which honors the memory<br />

<strong>of</strong> the late Cure Parkinson’s co-founder.<br />

In addition to their research, Dorsey and<br />

Okun contributed to an inspiring book that<br />

outlines a plan to “prevent, advocate, care<br />

and treat” Parkinson’s.<br />

A third Honorary Award for Outstanding<br />

Contributions was presented to Dr. Patrik<br />

Brundin, a global leader in Parkinson’s<br />

research and former deputy chief scientific<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> VAI. Now in industry and an<br />

adjunct faculty member at VAI, Dr. Brundin<br />

continues to work toward new therapies<br />

that impede Parkinson’s progression and<br />

improve quality <strong>of</strong> life.<br />

Save the date! The next Grand Challenges in<br />

Parkinson’s Disease symposium and<br />

Rallying to the Challenge meeting will be<br />

held Sept. 27–28, 20<strong>23</strong>.<br />

DRS. RAY DORSEY & MICHAEL OKUN ARE<br />

VIRTUALLY AWARDED THE TOM ISAACS AWARD<br />

4 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


New cellular ‘clock’ <strong>of</strong>fers fresh<br />

way to measure age<br />

Can parts <strong>of</strong> our bodies age faster<br />

than others?<br />

The answer is yes, and VAI scientists<br />

have developed a new way to measure<br />

exactly how.<br />

Their findings, published in Nature<br />

Communications, detail a new method for<br />

pinpointing cellular age that evaluates the<br />

number <strong>of</strong> times a cell has divided rather<br />

than relying on chronological time. The<br />

more cells replicate, the more likely they will<br />

accumulate errors over time that contribute<br />

to diseases such as cancer.<br />

The research was led by Dr. Jamie Endicott,<br />

a Van Andel Institute Graduate School<br />

student who recently earned her Ph.D. in<br />

the lab <strong>of</strong> VAI Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dr. Peter W. Laird.<br />

Laird and Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dr. Hui Shen<br />

were the corresponding authors <strong>of</strong> the study.<br />

“Cellular aging is a major risk factor for<br />

many chronic diseases, but it can be tough<br />

to measure. Our cellular ‘clock’ gives us<br />

powerful new insights into biological aging,<br />

how it differs between cells within a single<br />

person, and how it may impact a person’s<br />

likelihood <strong>of</strong> developing disease,” Endicott<br />

said. “We have more work to do, but our<br />

goal is to translate our method into a<br />

test with broad uses, such as evaluating<br />

the effect <strong>of</strong> chemotherapy on cells and<br />

measuring whether immune cells become<br />

‘exhausted’ and thus less effective when<br />

fighting infection or cancer.”<br />

Scientists have long sought an accurate<br />

and simple way to measure biological age<br />

to better understand its role in health and<br />

disease. Although other methods exist,<br />

Endicott’s is the first <strong>of</strong> its kind. It works by<br />

measuring the progressive loss <strong>of</strong> special<br />

chemical tags on DNA called methyl groups,<br />

which regulate when genes are “on” or<br />

“<strong>of</strong>f.” The loss <strong>of</strong> these marks, which occur<br />

throughout a person’s life and correlate<br />

with cell divisions rather than chronological<br />

age, foreshadow alterations found in cancer<br />

cells. The new method builds on earlier<br />

research by Laird, Shen and collaborators.<br />

Here’s what this process looks like: Think<br />

<strong>of</strong> a healthy 50-year-old person. Endicott’s<br />

new cellular clock may reveal that person’s<br />

cells are more akin to those in a 45-yearold<br />

than a 50-year-old, meaning they are<br />

aging more slowly than their chronological<br />

age. The reverse is also true: someone who<br />

smokes, for example, may have lung cells<br />

that age faster than their chronological<br />

age, which puts them at a higher risk for<br />

developing diseases such as lung cancer.<br />

“Jamie’s work is an important step<br />

toward a larger goal: utilizing these<br />

‘clocks’ to help patients,” Laird said. “We<br />

will continue to refine and calibrate our<br />

method in the hope that we will one day<br />

be able to apply it to real-life situations,<br />

such as risk assessment and clinical<br />

decision-making.”<br />

Research reported in this publication was supported by<br />

Van Andel Institute and the National Institute on Aging<br />

<strong>of</strong> the National Institutes <strong>of</strong> Health under award no.<br />

R01AG066764 (Laird and Shen). The content is solely the<br />

responsibility <strong>of</strong> the authors and does not necessarily<br />

represent the <strong>of</strong>ficial views <strong>of</strong> the National Institutes <strong>of</strong><br />

Health. Approximately 50% <strong>of</strong> the funding for this study<br />

came from federal sources; approximately 50% came<br />

from non-federal sources.<br />

DR. JAMIE ENDICOTT<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 5


RESEARCH<br />

Collaboration harnesses data to<br />

fuel discovery<br />

Discoveries are built on data.<br />

But what happens when the amount <strong>of</strong> data becomes so immense<br />

that even our most powerful computers struggle to handle it?<br />

That’s the challenge a pair <strong>of</strong> Van Andel Institute and Grand Valley<br />

State University scientists aim to solve — and they’ve earned a<br />

$200,000 Data Insights grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative<br />

to do it.<br />

The project, led by VAI Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dr. Tim Triche, Jr., and<br />

GVSU Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dr. Zachary DeBruine, addresses a<br />

central problem in modern, data-intensive biomedical research:<br />

how to efficiently store and analyze the massive data output from<br />

today’s technologies in a way that allows both researchers and<br />

citizen-scientists to unlock the insights within.<br />

For example, scientists can now catalog the differences between<br />

individual cells in extreme detail, illuminating variations that may<br />

contribute to cancer, Parkinson’s and many other diseases. But<br />

these answers are buried in vast swathes <strong>of</strong> data that must be<br />

analyzed and stored — a task that can be tough even for highpowered<br />

computers.<br />

“A central problem in science today is that our ability to generate<br />

data has outpaced our ability to analyze large, complex biological<br />

datasets,” said Triche. “Our goal is to improve access to powerful<br />

tools and allow exploration <strong>of</strong> the foundations <strong>of</strong> biology — how<br />

cells determine their fate, state and function; how cells interact<br />

with each other and their environment to produce health and<br />

disease; and how genetic variation between and within people<br />

influences the outcomes. By democratizing these tools, we seek<br />

to open up the field so that not just researchers or clinicians, but<br />

anyone with the desire to do so, can participate.”<br />

The project was born from the research <strong>of</strong> DeBruine, a former<br />

postdoctoral fellow in Triche’s lab who earned his doctorate from<br />

Van Andel Institute Graduate School. DeBruine is now an assistant<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essor at Grand Valley State University’s Applied Computing<br />

Institute, which is housed in the Padnos College <strong>of</strong> Engineering and<br />

Computing. He also holds an adjunct position at VAI.<br />

As part <strong>of</strong> his Ph.D. dissertation, DeBruine developed an elegant<br />

solution that repackages data files that are too big to run on a<br />

single computer into a compressed form. The resulting file requires<br />

1/10th the computational space as the original without losing<br />

data or performance, making it much easier and faster to comb<br />

through data. The grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative will<br />

allow Triche and DeBruine to refine and scale up this solution.<br />

“We aim to make data analysis more accessible using simple<br />

solutions that don’t require resource-intensive computational<br />

pipelines or deep expertise in computer science,” DeBruine said.<br />

“Our efforts ensure that all researchers can analyze single-cell<br />

data. What that ultimately means is more people can work with<br />

information in ways that could shed new light on the diseases that<br />

impact so many.”<br />

6 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


Craig Reynolds joins VAI as<br />

Vice President for Research<br />

Protections<br />

Van Andel Institute welcomed<br />

Craig Reynolds as Vice President<br />

for Research Protections in<br />

October 2022. The purpose <strong>of</strong><br />

this new position is tw<strong>of</strong>old: first,<br />

to facilitate the efforts <strong>of</strong> VAI<br />

faculty as they strive to achieve<br />

their research objectives,<br />

and second, to maintain VAI’s<br />

strong culture <strong>of</strong> compliance<br />

in which every aspect <strong>of</strong> the<br />

research enterprise conforms<br />

to the highest levels <strong>of</strong> ethics<br />

and integrity and follows all the<br />

relevant rules<br />

and regulations.<br />

He joined VAI from the<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Michigan, where<br />

he most recently served as<br />

Assistant Vice President for<br />

Research-Sponsored Projects.<br />

Reynolds has extensive<br />

experience in research and<br />

grants administration, having<br />

also held positions at the<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Pennsylvania,<br />

Central Michigan University,<br />

and the National Science<br />

Foundation.<br />

At the Institute, Reynolds aims<br />

to be a resource for faculty. He<br />

hopes to improve policies in a<br />

way that accelerates research<br />

while protecting the integrity<br />

<strong>of</strong> the science, creating a<br />

collaborative relationship that<br />

propels VAI forward. This is<br />

one <strong>of</strong> his key focus areas, as<br />

research, especially federally<br />

funded research, is heavily<br />

regulated.<br />

I see our collective work<br />

as a partnership, because<br />

we all share the same<br />

goals: seeing our faculty<br />

succeed, growing the<br />

reputation <strong>of</strong> the Institute,<br />

and improving health and<br />

enhancing lives.”<br />

— Craig Reynolds<br />

“Having a robust in-house team<br />

that is focused on these rules<br />

and how we are following them<br />

helps to ensure we are good<br />

stewards <strong>of</strong> the funding VAI<br />

receives,” Reynolds said. “Most<br />

importantly, I hope this focus<br />

will enable our faculty to spend<br />

more time on research.”<br />

For Reynolds, compliance is<br />

a journey, not a destination.<br />

Federal regulations evolve, and<br />

the Institute must evolve with<br />

them. As the rules that govern<br />

research change, Reynolds will<br />

work with faculty to decode the<br />

information.<br />

“At a core level, I’m a translator,”<br />

he said, working to turn<br />

complicated guidelines into<br />

straightforward plans <strong>of</strong> action.<br />

“I want to make sure our<br />

scientists have enough time<br />

to focus on their research,”<br />

Reynolds said. “I see our<br />

collective work as a partnership,<br />

because we all share the<br />

same goals: seeing our faculty<br />

succeed, growing the reputation<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Institute, and improving<br />

health and enhancing lives.”<br />

Reynolds’ hire comes during an<br />

exceptional period <strong>of</strong> growth for<br />

VAI. Since 2014, the Institute has<br />

recruited more than two dozen<br />

principal investigators who have<br />

established labs at VAI and<br />

expanded its research program<br />

into new areas, including<br />

metabolism and nutrition.<br />

“We are thrilled to welcome<br />

Craig to the Institute and look<br />

forward to his contributions<br />

to our research enterprise<br />

and our exceptional research<br />

compliance team,” said VAI<br />

Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Peter<br />

A. Jones. “His expertise will be<br />

invaluable as we continue to<br />

grow and evolve.”<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 7


RESEARCH<br />

VAI awarded $7.9 million<br />

to continue role as Cancer<br />

Moonshot SM Biobank Biorepository<br />

Van Andel Institute’s Biorepository was awarded a $7.9 million, five-year contract from<br />

the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part <strong>of</strong> the National Institutes <strong>of</strong> Health, to continue<br />

serving as the biorepository for the Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank study. The Institute has<br />

served as the Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank Biorepository since 2020, when it was awarded a<br />

two-year subcontract to develop the framework and protocols for this part <strong>of</strong> the initiative.<br />

In its role, VAI assembles and distributes kits to hospitals and medical centers around the U.S.<br />

for the collection <strong>of</strong> tumor tissue, blood and other biospecimens. These samples are then<br />

shipped to VAI for processing and either stored for later study or sent to other organizations<br />

for analysis.<br />

In all, the Biobank study is expected to collect biospecimens from more than 1,000<br />

participants. These vital samples will help illuminate new insights into cancers <strong>of</strong> the blood,<br />

lungs, skin, prostate and gastrointestinal tract.<br />

“Biospecimens are foundational for discovery. They allow us to study cancers in deep detail<br />

and are crucial for the development <strong>of</strong> new prevention, diagnostic and treatment strategies,”<br />

said Dr. Scott Jewell, director <strong>of</strong> VAI’s Pathology and Biorepository Core. “We are honored<br />

to be a part <strong>of</strong> the Cancer Moonshot Biobank study and look forward to contributing to a<br />

greater understanding <strong>of</strong> cancer.”<br />

The Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank aims to accelerate cancer research through the collection<br />

<strong>of</strong> longitudinal blood and tissue biospecimens from cancer patients representing U.S.<br />

population diversity. The biospecimens, generally small biopsies, and accompanying medical<br />

data will be made available for cancer research. Evidence-based, well-documented, and<br />

consistent procedures will be used to collect specimens <strong>of</strong> known quality.<br />

VAI’s Biorepository also provides services for many large-scale national and international<br />

projects that fuel research into diseases such as cancer and Parkinson’s at VAI and beyond.<br />

The project is wholly funded with federal funds from<br />

the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes<br />

<strong>of</strong> Health, Department <strong>of</strong> Health and Human Services<br />

under Contract No. 75N91022D0008. The content <strong>of</strong> this<br />

publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> Health and Human Services, nor<br />

does mention <strong>of</strong> trade names, commercial products or<br />

organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.<br />

What are biospecimens?<br />

Biospecimens are biological samples that are donated for research. They include healthy or diseased tissues,<br />

blood, saliva, spinal fluid and other materials. Biospecimens allow scientists to investigate how our bodies<br />

work when they’re healthy, how they change when affected by disease, and how we can better predict, prevent,<br />

diagnose and treat conditions such as cancer and Parkinson’s.<br />

What is a biorepository?<br />

Biorepositories are storehouses for biological samples. These specialized facilities, and the dedicated<br />

scientists who staff them, are responsible for processing, cataloging and storing samples with the utmost<br />

care and consistency.<br />

8 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 9


RESEARCH<br />

How VAI supports early<br />

career scientists<br />

The life-changing discoveries <strong>of</strong> tomorrow<br />

will be made by the scientific trainees<br />

<strong>of</strong> today. At Van Andel Institute, we are<br />

committed to supporting our outstanding<br />

roster <strong>of</strong> postdoctoral fellows as they<br />

pursue biomedical science breakthroughs<br />

and prepare for the next stages <strong>of</strong> their<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional careers.<br />

Postdoctoral fellowships are a key part <strong>of</strong><br />

an early career scientist’s journey. Much<br />

like medical residencies, the postdoctoral<br />

period is a time for junior scientists who<br />

have just earned their Ph.D. to gain<br />

additional experience at the lab bench,<br />

further build their grant-writing and<br />

manuscript preparation skills, and develop<br />

new perspectives in the business <strong>of</strong><br />

scientific research and leadership.<br />

But postdocs also face unique challenges,<br />

many <strong>of</strong> which have been exacerbated in<br />

recent years. These obstacles — which<br />

include relatively low pay, loss <strong>of</strong> stable work<br />

and lack <strong>of</strong> institutional support, among<br />

other factors — can stand in the way <strong>of</strong><br />

promising young scientists and their careers.<br />

We believe we have a responsibility to<br />

address these barriers and empower<br />

the bright young scientists who will make<br />

breakthrough discoveries now and in<br />

the future. That’s why VAI <strong>of</strong>fers a host <strong>of</strong><br />

training opportunities bolstered by pay and<br />

benefits that have long been among the<br />

best in the U.S. for postdocs — a fact that<br />

augments our exceptional science to attract<br />

the best <strong>of</strong> the best to our labs.<br />

We have always believed that postdoctoral<br />

training should be a rewarding experience<br />

— both scientifically and pr<strong>of</strong>essionally.<br />

Our generous donor community plays an<br />

important role in fostering VAI’s excellent<br />

research environment, a factor that makes<br />

the Institute a destination for early career<br />

scientists. Together, we can ensure that<br />

the brilliant trainees <strong>of</strong> today become the<br />

scientific leaders <strong>of</strong> tomorrow.<br />

Learn more about how you can support VAI’s<br />

Postdoctoral Program by reaching out to<br />

Kate Frillmann, Philanthropy Director, at<br />

616.<strong>23</strong>4.5515 or kate.frillmann@vai.org.<br />

Clinical<br />

trial <strong>of</strong>fers<br />

hope for<br />

new cancer<br />

therapies<br />

Cancer is cunning. It can hide from the<br />

body’s natural immune defenses. It can<br />

turn the biological processes meant to<br />

keep us healthy to its advantage. And it can<br />

resist treatment thanks to the many factors<br />

that drive its development and progression.<br />

But now, results from an early, phase<br />

1/2 clinical trial supported by the<br />

Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To Cancer<br />

Epigenetics Dream Team has found that<br />

a pair <strong>of</strong> cancer medications, which act as<br />

a one-two punch against malignant cells,<br />

demonstrated increased survival in patients<br />

with relapsed/refractory myelodysplastic<br />

syndrome (MDS) by an average <strong>of</strong> 10<br />

months compared to historical controls.<br />

In December,<br />

VAI increased<br />

postdoctoral starting<br />

salaries to $70,000<br />

a year, which places<br />

us among the bestpaying<br />

research<br />

organizations for<br />

postdocs in the U.S.<br />

10 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


In addition to improving overall average<br />

survival from five to 15 months, the<br />

findings suggest the effectiveness <strong>of</strong><br />

combining medications that target both the<br />

immunological and epigenetic drivers <strong>of</strong><br />

cancers.<br />

The trial was led by Dr. Casey O’Connell<br />

<strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Southern California, in<br />

collaboration with Dr. Maria Baer <strong>of</strong> the<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Maryland, and Dr. Kirsten<br />

Grønbaek <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Copenhagen<br />

and Rigshospitalet — all members <strong>of</strong> the<br />

VAI–SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team.<br />

“We are thrilled that administering a<br />

medicine to reawaken the immune system<br />

may benefit a subgroup <strong>of</strong> patients with<br />

MDS, as this class <strong>of</strong> drugs is not currently<br />

approved for these patients,” O’Connell<br />

said. “We are now exploring blood-based<br />

markers that identify which patients are<br />

most likely to respond in order to design a<br />

more personalized treatment approach in a<br />

subsequent trial.”<br />

MDS is a type <strong>of</strong> cancer that occurs when<br />

the bone marrow can no longer make<br />

healthy blood cells. These sick cells either<br />

die early or are identified as a threat by<br />

the immune system and killed, leaving the<br />

body without enough healthy blood cells to<br />

properly function. About a third <strong>of</strong> people<br />

with MDS can progress to a more severe<br />

and tough-to-treat type <strong>of</strong> blood cancer<br />

called acute myeloid leukemia.<br />

Approximately half <strong>of</strong> people with<br />

MDS respond when treated with a<br />

type <strong>of</strong> epigenetic medication called a<br />

hypomethylating agent, which works by<br />

correcting errors in how the instructions in<br />

DNA are used. Unfortunately, responses to<br />

these agents are not long-lasting. There are<br />

limited treatment options for people whose<br />

MDS returns after their initial course <strong>of</strong><br />

treatment.<br />

To address this, the investigators paired<br />

a novel hypomethylating agent with a<br />

type <strong>of</strong> immunotherapy called a PD-L1<br />

inhibitor that helps the body identify and<br />

attack cancer cells. Survival among treated<br />

patients appears to be longer than what has<br />

been previously reported for this patient<br />

population; this study lays some groundwork<br />

for future studies that pair epigenetic and<br />

immunotherapies to treat cancer.<br />

“As this trial indicates, combining cancer<br />

therapies has the potential to improve<br />

survival and make a real difference for<br />

people with cancer by allowing us to target<br />

multiple vulnerabilities in cancer at once.<br />

These findings represent an important<br />

pro<strong>of</strong>-<strong>of</strong>-concept that should inform future<br />

research toward the next generation <strong>of</strong><br />

cancer treatment,” said VAI Chief Scientific<br />

Officer Dr. Peter A. Jones, who co-leads the<br />

VAI–SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team with<br />

Dr. Stephen B. Baylin <strong>of</strong> Johns Hopkins<br />

University and VAI.<br />

The trial is one <strong>of</strong> 14 launched by the VAI–<br />

SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team since its<br />

inception in 2014.<br />

Read more at vai.org/mds-clinical-trial-results.<br />

Research funding for this work was provided by Van Andel<br />

Institute through the Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To Cancer<br />

Epigenetics Dream Team. Stand Up To Cancer is a division <strong>of</strong><br />

the Entertainment Industry Foundation. The clinicialtrials.gov<br />

identifier for this trial is: NCT02935361.<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 11


RESEARCH<br />

Study reveals two major obesity<br />

subtypes linked to random chance<br />

How does random chance — the same kind that governs a roll <strong>of</strong><br />

the dice — impact our health?<br />

Quite a lot, it turns out.<br />

A team led by VAI scientist Dr. J. Andrew Pospisilik has identified<br />

two distinct types <strong>of</strong> obesity with physiological and molecular<br />

differences that may have lifelong consequences for health, disease<br />

and response to medication. Importantly, it appears that random<br />

chance plays a role in an individual’s predisposition to one type <strong>of</strong><br />

obesity versus the other.<br />

The findings, published in the journal Nature Metabolism, <strong>of</strong>fer a<br />

more nuanced understanding <strong>of</strong> obesity than current definitions<br />

and reveal new insights into the link between insulin and obesity.<br />

“Nearly two billion people worldwide are considered overweight<br />

and there are more than 600 million people with obesity, yet we<br />

have no framework for stratifying individuals according to their<br />

more precise disease etiologies,” Pospisilik said. “Using a purely<br />

data-driven approach, we see for the first time that there are at<br />

least two different metabolic subtypes <strong>of</strong> obesity, each with their<br />

own physiological and molecular features that influence health.<br />

Translating these findings into a clinically usable test could help<br />

doctors provide more precise care for patients.”<br />

Currently, obesity is diagnosed using body mass index (BMI), an<br />

index correlated to body fat that is generated by comparing weight<br />

in relation to height. It is an imperfect measure, Pospisilik says,<br />

because it doesn’t account for underlying biological differences and<br />

can misrepresent an individual’s health status.<br />

The findings also reveal the role chance plays in predisposing<br />

a person to one <strong>of</strong> the two obesity subtypes. Only 30%–50% <strong>of</strong><br />

human trait outcomes can be linked to genetics or environmental<br />

influences. That means as much as half <strong>of</strong> who we are is governed<br />

by something else. This phenomenon is called unexplained<br />

phenotypic variation (UPV), and it <strong>of</strong>fers both a challenge and<br />

untapped potential to scientists like Pospisilik and his collaborators.<br />

The study indicates that the roots <strong>of</strong> UPV likely lie in epigenetics,<br />

the processes that govern when and to what extent the<br />

instructions in DNA are used. Epigenetic mechanisms are the<br />

reason that individuals with the same genetic instruction manual,<br />

such as twins, may grow to have different traits, such as eye<br />

color and hair color. Epigenetics also <strong>of</strong>fer tantalizing targets for<br />

precision treatment.<br />

“This unexplained variation is difficult to study, but the pay<strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong><br />

a deeper understanding is immense,” Pospisilik said. “Epigenetics<br />

can act like a light switch that flips genes ‘on’ or ‘<strong>of</strong>f,’ which can<br />

promote health or, when things go wrong, disease. Accounting<br />

for UPV doesn’t exist in precision medicine right now, but it looks<br />

like it could be half the puzzle. Our findings underscore the power<br />

<strong>of</strong> recognizing these subtle differences between people to guide<br />

more precise ways to treat disease.”<br />

Read more at vai.org/obesity-subtypes.<br />

Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute; Max Planck<br />

Gesellschaft; the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under<br />

Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 675610; the Novo Nordisk Foundation and<br />

the European Foundation for the Study <strong>of</strong> Diabetes; the Danish Council for Independent<br />

Research; the National Human Genome Research Institute <strong>of</strong> the National Institutes <strong>of</strong> Health<br />

under award no. R21HG011964 (Pospisilik); and the NIH Common Fund, through the Office<br />

<strong>of</strong> the NIH Director (OD), and the National Human Genome Research Institute <strong>of</strong> the National<br />

Institutes <strong>of</strong> Health under award no. R01HG012444 (Pospisilik and Nadeau). The content is<br />

solely the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the authors and does not necessarily represent the <strong>of</strong>ficial views <strong>of</strong><br />

the National Institutes <strong>of</strong> Health or other granting organizations. Approximately 5% ($50,000)<br />

<strong>of</strong> funding for this study is from federal sources; approximately 95% ($950,000) is from non-<br />

U.S. governmental sources.<br />

DR. J. ANDREW POSPISILIK<br />

12 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


Cellular waste may supercharge<br />

immune cells<br />

The immune cells that protect us from infection and cancer seek<br />

out a wide array <strong>of</strong> fuel sources to power their function — including<br />

some long thought to be cellular waste products. That’s the<br />

surprising takeaway from recent findings published in the journal<br />

Cell Metabolism by VAI’s Dr. Russell Jones and collaborators.<br />

Their discovery lays the foundation for future personalized<br />

dietary recommendations designed to supercharge the<br />

immune system and augment therapies for cancer and<br />

other diseases.<br />

“Every process in the body is powered by metabolism, which<br />

in turn is fueled by the nutrients we consume through our<br />

diet,” said Jones, chair <strong>of</strong> VAI’s Department <strong>of</strong> Metabolism and<br />

Nutritional Programming and senior author <strong>of</strong> the study. “We<br />

found that immune cells are much more flexible in selecting<br />

the nutrient fuels they consume and, importantly, that they<br />

prefer some nutrients that were previously dismissed as<br />

waste. This understanding is crucial for optimizing T cell<br />

responses and developing new strategies for boosting our<br />

ability to fight <strong>of</strong>f disease.”<br />

T cells are the soldiers <strong>of</strong> the immune system and are tasked<br />

with combating bacteria, viruses and even cancer cells. They<br />

absorb nutrients from the foods we eat to generate the energy<br />

required to carry out their jobs.<br />

The findings stem from a novel approach that could reshape<br />

how metabolism is studied. Historically, T cells are grown in<br />

the lab in dishes <strong>of</strong> nutrient-containing media — a gel-like<br />

substance chock full <strong>of</strong> certain cellular “foods.” However, this<br />

doesn’t fully reflect the rich array <strong>of</strong> nutrients found in the<br />

human body. To solve the problem, Jones and his colleagues<br />

developed media packed with a more diverse range <strong>of</strong><br />

nutrients.<br />

Lactate is also an important byproduct <strong>of</strong> cancer cells and<br />

facilitates cancer’s ability to invade other tissues and evade<br />

attack by the immune system. Some research suggests that<br />

too much lactate may be bad for T cells. The work from Jones’<br />

group indicates that, at lower levels, lactate may actually<br />

enhance T cell function.<br />

The findings also suggest that T cell function and survival<br />

are strongly influenced by the nutrients available in their<br />

environment. Going forward, Jones and his colleagues aim<br />

to delve deeper into the intricate relationships between<br />

metabolism and the immune system in search <strong>of</strong> new insights<br />

to further illuminate how these crucial systems collaborate.<br />

Read more at vai.org/supercharge-tcells.<br />

Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute (Jones)<br />

and an Allen Distinguished Investigator Award, a Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group<br />

advised grant <strong>of</strong> the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (Jones).<br />

Jones is supported by the National Institute <strong>of</strong> Allergy and Infectious Diseases <strong>of</strong> the<br />

National Institutes <strong>of</strong> Health under award no. R01AI165722. Support for authors on<br />

this project include a postdoctoral fellowship award from Fonds de la Recherche du<br />

Québec–Santé (FRQS) (Dahabieh); a VAI Metabolism and Nutrition (MeNu) Program<br />

Pathway-to-Independence Award (Longo); National Cancer Institute award no.<br />

T32CA251066-01A1) (Watson) and award no. R35CA2202901 (DeBerardinis); and the<br />

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator Program (DeBerardinis).<br />

The content is solely the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the authors and does not necessarily<br />

represent the <strong>of</strong>ficial views <strong>of</strong> granting organizations.<br />

“Previously, we were giving immune cells a very basic<br />

diet — the equivalent <strong>of</strong> just eggs and toast,” Jones said.<br />

“We found that, when we <strong>of</strong>fer them a full buffet, these<br />

cells actually prefer a wider array <strong>of</strong> ‘fuels’ than previously<br />

believed. This has major implications for how we tailor dietary<br />

recommendations as ways to promote health and combat<br />

disease.”<br />

One example is lactate, a cellular waste product responsible<br />

for muscle aches after a long workout. When presented with<br />

glucose, a common sugar found in the body and in lab media,<br />

and lactate, the T cells preferentially used the lactate to power<br />

energy production — a decision that enhanced their function.<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 13


RESEARCH<br />

Van Andel Institute Graduate School student<br />

awarded PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral<br />

Fellowship to pursue new osteoarthritis therapies<br />

The PhRMA Foundation has selected<br />

Van Andel Institute Graduate School<br />

student Vladimir Molchanov to receive<br />

a prestigious predoctoral fellowship<br />

to pursue improved treatments for<br />

osteoarthritis, the most common type<br />

<strong>of</strong> arthritis.<br />

More than 32 million adults in the U.S. — and<br />

more than 527 million worldwide — have<br />

osteoarthritis. This painful, progressive<br />

disorder occurs when the cartilage within<br />

joints wears down, resulting in swelling,<br />

stiffness, pain and loss <strong>of</strong> mobility. Although<br />

treatments exist, they <strong>of</strong>fer only temporary<br />

relief from symptoms rather than fixing the<br />

disorder’s root cause.<br />

“Osteoarthritis is highly prevalent, especially<br />

among older adults, yet we still lack a way<br />

to repair the damage it causes,” Molchanov<br />

said. “I am thrilled to receive the PhRMA<br />

Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship in<br />

Drug Delivery, which will support my work<br />

in developing targeted cell therapies for<br />

degenerative diseases and will set the stage<br />

for future research.”<br />

The $50,000 fellowship will support Molchanov<br />

as he seeks to solve a pair <strong>of</strong> major problems<br />

in osteoarthritis treatment: how to deliver<br />

therapies to the site <strong>of</strong> joint damage and how<br />

to stimulate new cartilage growth.<br />

To do this, he has proposed an approach<br />

called SEEK and HEAL that would use<br />

specially designed stem cells generated from<br />

adult cells to “seek” out damaged cartilage<br />

and help “heal” it by regrowing lost tissue.<br />

“This work has the potential to revolutionize<br />

our approach to joint degeneration<br />

and inspire new treatments for other<br />

degenerative disorders,” said Dr. Tao Yang,<br />

interim chair <strong>of</strong> VAI’s Department <strong>of</strong> Cell<br />

Biology and Molchanov’s thesis adviser. “The<br />

PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship<br />

awarded to Vladimir will help us tackle a<br />

persistent public health problem while also<br />

supporting and fostering the career <strong>of</strong> an<br />

exceptional young scientist.”<br />

Molchanov’s fellowship is one <strong>of</strong> four<br />

Predoctoral Fellowships in Drug Delivery<br />

awarded by the PhRMA Foundation for 20<strong>23</strong><br />

and is the first such award granted to a VAI<br />

graduate student.<br />

Van Andel Institute and The Scientist launch podcast mini-series<br />

How do our environment and diet<br />

set the stage for future health?<br />

That’s one <strong>of</strong> the big questions<br />

Van Andel Institute and The Scientist<br />

tackle in a podcast mini-series titled<br />

Exposed: Environmental Echoes in<br />

Health, part <strong>of</strong> The Scientist’s Lab<br />

Talk podcast series.<br />

All episodes are now available on all<br />

major podcast platforms.<br />

The podcast accompanies a Q&A<br />

with VAI Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dr. J. Andrew<br />

Pospisilik, who explores how our<br />

environment impacts our health<br />

as well as the health <strong>of</strong> future<br />

generations. Read it at<br />

vai.org/mini-podcast-series.<br />

Epigeneticist Turned<br />

Microbe Hunter<br />

Microbes surround us, and<br />

they can have surprising<br />

effects beyond infection. In<br />

this episode, VAI Assistant<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dr. Nick Burton<br />

discusses his work discovering<br />

new environmental bacteria in<br />

backyards and how exposure<br />

to bad or good bugs can affect<br />

an organism’s <strong>of</strong>fspring.<br />

Are We What Our Parents Eat?<br />

Substances that enter the body,<br />

such as food or chemicals, can<br />

make epigenetic changes in the<br />

germline that become inherited,<br />

affecting the health <strong>of</strong> future<br />

generations. In this episode, VAI<br />

Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dr. Heidi<br />

Lempradl discusses her work<br />

studying the effects <strong>of</strong> parental<br />

diet on their <strong>of</strong>fspring.<br />

How Toxins Leave Their<br />

Cancerous Marks<br />

Through epigenetic mechanisms,<br />

some environmental toxicants,<br />

such as heavy metals, alter gene<br />

expression patterns that then<br />

drive cancer progression. In this<br />

episode, VAI Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Dr. Yvonne Fondufe-Mittendorf<br />

discusses her work studying<br />

environmental toxicants and<br />

their effects on DNA methylation<br />

and chromatin structure.<br />

14 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg: A storied<br />

career training scientific leaders<br />

Sometimes, serendipity and careful planning<br />

combine to chart a meaningful course for<br />

the future. Both led Dr. Steve Triezenberg<br />

to Van Andel Institute Graduate School<br />

in 2006, where he is set to retire in<br />

summer 20<strong>23</strong> after 17 impactful years<br />

as inaugural dean.<br />

Back in the mid-2000s, Triezenberg<br />

was a faculty member in Michigan State<br />

University’s Department <strong>of</strong> Biochemistry and<br />

Molecular Biology. One day, a familiar face<br />

came to call: Dr. Gordon Van Harn, who had<br />

been on the faculty at Calvin University while<br />

Triezenberg was an undergrad.<br />

At the time <strong>of</strong> the visit, Van Harn was<br />

director <strong>of</strong> Van Andel Institute for Education.<br />

He visited Triezenberg as part <strong>of</strong> a multiuniversity<br />

tour to get feedback from<br />

scientists in established Ph.D. programs<br />

about what it would take to build a graduate<br />

school from the ground up.<br />

Triezenberg recalls that initial meeting with<br />

a smile, the kind you can’t help but make<br />

when you know you’re getting to the good<br />

part <strong>of</strong> the story.<br />

“We talked about MSU’s program, what<br />

worked and what didn’t, and I said it’ll be<br />

fun to watch what they come up with,”<br />

Triezenberg said. “A little while later came<br />

the opportunity to throw my hat into the<br />

ring <strong>of</strong> potential candidates to lead the<br />

Graduate School.”<br />

The rest, as the saying goes, is history.<br />

Taking the plunge<br />

After many years in the traditional university<br />

structure, Triezenberg was drawn to the<br />

fledgling VAI Graduate School because<br />

<strong>of</strong> the chance to build something new.<br />

He started as dean in 2006, and though<br />

the financial support and operational<br />

infrastructure were in place, he had his work<br />

cut out for him: “We started pulling all the<br />

pieces together,” he recalled.<br />

He worked with VAI leadership and faculty<br />

to build out a rigorous, research-focused<br />

curriculum. High on the list <strong>of</strong> priorities —<br />

and challenges — was recruiting students<br />

to a brand-new program with no name<br />

recognition.<br />

“We had open houses to invite students<br />

from regional colleges to see what we<br />

were doing and explain our program,”<br />

Triezenberg said. “And, well, nobody came.”<br />

A concerted word-<strong>of</strong>-mouth campaign<br />

commenced, and the Graduate School<br />

welcomed its first cohort <strong>of</strong> three students<br />

in August 2007. The 2008 and 2009<br />

cohorts also numbered three students<br />

each, and the program started gaining<br />

steam in the 2010s. Cohort sizes steadily<br />

increased year over year. In 2021, the<br />

Graduate School welcomed its largest and<br />

most diverse cohort yet — 14 students<br />

from eight countries.<br />

“Early on, a strong cadre <strong>of</strong> faculty<br />

members were very much committed<br />

to the Graduate School and doing it in<br />

innovative and creative ways,” he said.<br />

“They helped develop and improve our<br />

problem-based curriculum, so I give them<br />

a lot <strong>of</strong> credit for the work they put in to<br />

make this succeed from the start.”<br />

A full-time passion<br />

Triezenberg’s imprint at VAI isn’t limited<br />

to the Graduate School — it can be found<br />

all over the Institute. In 2009, Triezenberg<br />

succeeded Van Harn as director <strong>of</strong><br />

Van Andel Institute for Education’s K–12<br />

programs. He continued in this role until<br />

2015, when he decided to focus more<br />

on the ongoing growth at the Graduate<br />

School.<br />

For much <strong>of</strong> his time at VAI, Triezenberg<br />

also led a research laboratory. The<br />

Triezenberg Lab’s research into herpes<br />

simplex virus opened up new possibilities<br />

for antiviral drug development and<br />

revealed new insights into how human cells<br />

control gene expression.<br />

As the Graduate School continued to grow,<br />

Triezenberg saw that he had less time<br />

to devote to research. After nearly four<br />

decades <strong>of</strong> active research at Michigan<br />

State and VAI, he made the difficult decision<br />

to close his lab in 2018. It was a bittersweet<br />

decision, tempered by the excitement <strong>of</strong><br />

turning all his attention and energy to the<br />

graduate program.<br />

Looking ahead<br />

A national search is underway to find<br />

Triezenberg’s successor. He is eager to<br />

support the next grad school leader and<br />

feels a sense <strong>of</strong> pride knowing that the<br />

new dean will be walking into a strong<br />

program that is set up for future success<br />

and renown.<br />

“I’m feeling very fulfilled in purpose,”<br />

he said. “My successor will come into<br />

an environment here where they are<br />

surrounded by good people who know<br />

their work and are well-integrated into the<br />

Institute, and they can carry things forward<br />

with the vision and dreams they bring.”<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 15


EDUCATION<br />

Building the future <strong>of</strong> education<br />

A summer <strong>of</strong> renewal for students and educators<br />

With the dawn <strong>of</strong> a new school year, Van Andel Institute for<br />

Education saw strong interest in events and programs for teachers<br />

and administrators. The momentum began building over the<br />

summer when we hosted Science on the Grand: A STEAM Conference<br />

for Inquiry-based Educators.<br />

More than 120 teachers and administrators visited the Institute for<br />

the two-day conference, where they explored the latest researchbased,<br />

classroom-tested content to support STEAM instruction.<br />

Educators were able to network and hear from experts about<br />

cutting-edge instructional methods. The conference featured<br />

keynote speaker Erin Gruwell, an educator and catalyst for<br />

social change and New York Times bestselling author <strong>of</strong> “The<br />

Freedom Writers Diary.” Science on the Grand will return to VAI<br />

on July 10–11, 20<strong>23</strong>.<br />

Demand for VAI <strong>Summer</strong> Camps was at an all-time high: we<br />

welcomed 305 students for camps, nearly doubling the total from<br />

2021. Campers enjoyed hands-on investigations in areas including<br />

science, engineering and robotics. Due to popular demand for<br />

summer schools in 2022, the Institute will more than double our<br />

camps for 20<strong>23</strong> and <strong>of</strong>fer a new, one-day camp format.<br />

The Institute’s K–8 Project-based <strong>Summer</strong> School pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

development program provides summer school teachers with<br />

customized instruction and projects that meet their grade level,<br />

scheduling and content needs.<br />

Meaningful pr<strong>of</strong>essional development and networking<br />

The educational landscape is ever shifting, and VAI is here to help<br />

educators meet new challenges and elevate their instructional<br />

practices. Flex PD is a comprehensive and affordable pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

development program designed to meet the needs <strong>of</strong> all teachers.<br />

This year, VAI <strong>of</strong>fered Flex PD solutions to more than 25 schools<br />

and provided pr<strong>of</strong>essional development services to more than<br />

2,300 educators.<br />

VAI’s New Teacher Network allows teachers to receive the targeted<br />

support they need as they get started in this rewarding and<br />

challenging pr<strong>of</strong>ession. By learning great content, sharing their<br />

experiences and receiving validation from their network, teachers<br />

grow as people and pr<strong>of</strong>essionals as they embark on their<br />

learning journeys.<br />

Innovative instructional support<br />

VAI <strong>of</strong>fers Blue Apple projects based on an internationally<br />

recognized gold standard, delivering lesson plans, online resources,<br />

cross-curricular mini-lessons and a host <strong>of</strong> other tools that make it<br />

easier for teachers to get started right away. During the 2021–22<br />

school year, VAI shipped 324 Blue Apple projects to teachers — an<br />

increase <strong>of</strong> 16% over the previous year.<br />

Several new Timely Topic lessons were launched, including “Valuing<br />

our Veterans” and “Hispanic Heritage Month.” The full suite <strong>of</strong><br />

Timely Topics saw more than 5,000 downloads in more than<br />

40 countries, with many educators even reaching out to express<br />

their gratitude for the free lessons.<br />

Inquiry in Action <strong>of</strong>fers a variety <strong>of</strong> inquiry-based lessons that<br />

are sure to engage students and get them thinking deeply about<br />

science. These 15- to 30-minute experiences allow teachers to<br />

introduce a variety <strong>of</strong> relevant concepts without adding prep and<br />

planning to their busy schedule.<br />

Our NexGen Inquiry Quests come with story-driven videos that<br />

guide students through a process <strong>of</strong> scientific inquiry and hands-on<br />

experimentation. Students exercise critical and creative thinking<br />

through scientific journaling, collaborate with peers and apply what<br />

they learn to make the world a better place.<br />

Hands-on STEM lessons, wherever you are<br />

Our expert educators hit the road with Curiosity on Wheels,<br />

a program that takes inquiry-based science to new heights as<br />

participants think and act like scientists by conducting hands-on<br />

STEM investigations. Whether it be addressing science standards,<br />

enhancing thematic units or just having fun, VAI customizes each<br />

Curiosity on Wheels trip to meet the individual needs <strong>of</strong> educators.<br />

Coming out <strong>of</strong> the pandemic, teachers have been particularly<br />

interested in exploring VAI’s Field Trips. These are available at the<br />

Institute and on-location at schools; students conduct unique,<br />

grade-specific investigations that emphasize hands-on discovery.<br />

The Institute hosted more than 2,500 students for Field Trips, an<br />

increase <strong>of</strong> 50% over the previous year.<br />

For more information about VAI’s latest resources, please visit<br />

vai.org/k-12-education.<br />

16 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 17


PURPLE COMMUNITY<br />

10 years <strong>of</strong> golf, family and research<br />

God, family and golf — three <strong>of</strong> the guiding principles David<br />

Wiersema followed during his life. He spent five decades bringing<br />

a positive and fun attitude to various projects, spending as much<br />

time with his family as possible. After a brain cancer diagnosis,<br />

David passed away in 2010, but his family has kept his spirit alive<br />

for more than a decade.<br />

David’s wife, Julie, and daughter, Lydia, help organize the<br />

David Wiersema Memorial Golf Outing, a VAI Purple Community<br />

event that recently celebrated its 11th anniversary. “After Dad<br />

passed away, we knew we had to do something in memory <strong>of</strong> this<br />

amazing man,” they said.<br />

Golf was the perfect opportunity: It was an activity that reflected<br />

David’s life, it’s best with family and friends and it could be a<br />

powerful fundraising tool.<br />

at a senior level. Thanks to the generosity <strong>of</strong> family, friends and<br />

attendees, that project became self-sufficient and continues to<br />

<strong>of</strong>fer scholarships. That’s when the Wiersema family decided to find<br />

another way to impact the community.<br />

“We realized we also wanted to support cancer research, but we<br />

wanted to do it in a local way that made a difference,” Julie said.<br />

“VAI was the perfect choice, existing in our backyard and giving us<br />

the tools we need to support the cause.”<br />

Besides the usual challenges <strong>of</strong> organizing a golf event, their family<br />

is consistently surprised by the memorial’s popularity. It started as<br />

an open event, they said, but increased interest from family, friends<br />

and local businesses meant a lengthy registration list. Thanks to<br />

support from family and volunteers, the event has adapted to meet<br />

the demand.<br />

As David was part <strong>of</strong> the family business owning golf courses,<br />

including Winding Creek Golf Club, the event originally gathered<br />

donations for the Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation,<br />

building scholarships for high school graduates who played golf<br />

Beyond the fun <strong>of</strong> hosting a successful event, Lydia said the family<br />

remains focused on the mission <strong>of</strong> VAI and supporting research.<br />

18 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


“VAI makes the city a medical hub, bringing the best scientists in the<br />

world, and Purple Community helps make that happen,”<br />

Lydia said.<br />

The family aims to keep the David Wiersema Memorial Golf Outing<br />

event strong for another decade, honoring David’s legacy as a man,<br />

friend, husband and father. At the end <strong>of</strong> the day, they said, it helps<br />

their family make a difference.<br />

“The support for research helps honor David’s memory while also<br />

giving our friends and family the chance to be part <strong>of</strong> that impact,”<br />

Julie said. “It’s good to know that there is hope, and that research is<br />

helping others to not have to go through what we experienced.”<br />

Mona Shores<br />

Soccer supports<br />

Purple Community<br />

Mona Shores High School showed its support for Van Andel<br />

Institute Purple Community through a second Purple Soccer<br />

Game. The boys soccer team sold purple merchandise at the game<br />

while brandishing custom purple jerseys featuring the names <strong>of</strong><br />

loved ones. Since their inception, the Mona Shores Purple Soccer<br />

Games have raised more than $6,300 for cancer and Parkinson’s<br />

research and educational initiatives at VAI.<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 19


PHILANTHROPY<br />

Building a legacy through love<br />

and research<br />

“If I can save one life, then all this suffering is worth it,” Wendy<br />

Jo Blakely said when she decided to donate her body to science.<br />

Her husband, Rusty, was not surprised by the decision. They had<br />

been married for 34 years, and every day Wendy demonstrated<br />

courage and strength.<br />

She did so for three decades as a nurse, supporting patients<br />

through challenging times. Her determined spirit was obvious<br />

when she trained for marathons, pushing her body to the limit.<br />

Most <strong>of</strong> all, she demonstrated her strength following a devastating<br />

diagnosis in 2018: five lesions in her pancreas, and some in<br />

her liver.<br />

It was stage four pancreatic cancer.<br />

Although Wendy started chemotherapy right away, it never felt<br />

right to her.<br />

“She was ready to move past cancer, but the chemo was just too<br />

much,” Rusty said.<br />

The couple sought second opinions and alternative treatments, but<br />

Wendy wanted to live her life her way: If she only had a few months<br />

left, those days would be filled with sailboat rides with their<br />

children, Owen and Olivia, and bike rides alongside her life partner.<br />

Wendy and Rusty spent three<br />

months enjoying every minute<br />

they had together. They<br />

danced in the kitchen after<br />

work, rode their bikes and<br />

visited family. Wendy wanted<br />

to enjoy her time, and she<br />

truly did.<br />

“Unknowingly, Wendy and I had<br />

our last bike ride together on<br />

Cinco de Mayo 2018, just<br />

18 short days before we lost<br />

her,” Rusty said. “Even then,<br />

Wendy Jo still had such a joy<br />

for life, and her gentle laughter<br />

filled the air. Her warm smile<br />

and loving heart are still clear<br />

and will always be a part <strong>of</strong> all<br />

<strong>of</strong> us forever.”<br />

“Wendy never complained. She<br />

made the best <strong>of</strong> every day<br />

and every minute she had left,”<br />

Rusty said. “She was always<br />

smiling, always laughing, and<br />

those are the images we have<br />

<strong>of</strong> her in our minds.”<br />

Wendy passed away in May<br />

2018, shortly before a planned<br />

trip to France. In the midst <strong>of</strong><br />

loss, Rusty knew he wanted to<br />

grow Wendy’s legacy. She had<br />

elected to give her body to<br />

science, but he wanted to do<br />

more. The result was the Wendy<br />

Jo Blakely “Je t’aime” Pancreatic<br />

Cancer Fund, aptly named with<br />

the words “I love you” in French.<br />

The fund resides at Van Andel<br />

Institute.<br />

“Our love got cut short, but<br />

some people live their whole<br />

lives without experiencing what<br />

we did,” Rusty said. “This is a<br />

way to stay positive, to keep<br />

her memory strong, and to<br />

hopefully help someone in<br />

the future.”<br />

The Wendy Jo Blakely “Je t’aime”<br />

Pancreatic Cancer Fund is<br />

a permanent fund in the<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Cell Biology<br />

at the Institute. It will support<br />

groundbreaking pancreatic<br />

cancer research for years to<br />

come. If you are interested in<br />

supporting the Wendy Jo Blakely<br />

“Je t’aime” Pancreatic Cancer<br />

Fund or establishing a similar<br />

gift in memory <strong>of</strong> a loved one,<br />

please contact Kate Frillmann<br />

at 616.<strong>23</strong>4.5515 or<br />

kate.frillmann@vai.org.<br />

THE BLAKELY FAMILY<br />

20 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


The Wendy<br />

Jo Blakely<br />

“Je t’aime”<br />

Pancreatic<br />

Cancer Fund is<br />

a permanent<br />

fund in the<br />

Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Cell Biology at<br />

the Institute.<br />

It will support<br />

groundbreaking<br />

pancreatic<br />

cancer research<br />

for years to<br />

come.<br />

Support a brighter future with a planned gift<br />

A growing number <strong>of</strong> individuals and households have<br />

remembered VAI in their estate plans. These planned giving<br />

intentions will greatly benefit the Institute’s research into<br />

diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s and related<br />

dementias, as well as our work to educate the next generation<br />

<strong>of</strong> scientific leaders and foster curiosity, creativity and<br />

critical thinking in K–12 classrooms.<br />

VAI honors those who have included the Institute in their<br />

estate plans through the Jay and Betty Van Andel Circle <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Hope</strong>. When you notify us <strong>of</strong> your intentions, you are invited<br />

to become a member.<br />

We welcome a conversation about estate giving that makes<br />

the most sense for you while also supporting the mission<br />

<strong>of</strong> VAI.<br />

For additional information about estate giving, visit<br />

vai.giftlegacy.com or contact Kate Frillmann, Philanthropy<br />

Director, at 616.<strong>23</strong>4.5515 or kate.frillmann@vai.org.<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 21


EVENTS<br />

VAI Golf Outing<br />

Golfers met in West Olive for the 15th annual VAI Golf Outing.<br />

Hosted at the stunning Wuskowhan Players Club, the event<br />

brought together community members, businesses and local<br />

organizations for an afternoon filled with golf, fun and research<br />

updates. The event featured a silent auction, a drone drop raffle,<br />

lunch and dinner — along with remarks from <strong>Hope</strong> College<br />

Football Coach Peter Stuursma.<br />

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, The Timothy Long and William<br />

Mackay group <strong>of</strong> Merrill Lynch.<br />

(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) HOPE COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH PETER STUURSMA;<br />

DINA MCKNIGHT-DARGIS, BETH VANPORTFLIET, CAROL VAN ANDEL & MARCY ROTH; PLAYERS WARM UP AT THE DRIVING RANGE; KURT<br />

HASSBERGER, DAVID VAN ANDEL & JACK DOLES<br />

22 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


Couture for a Cure<br />

Michigan’s premiere fashion event gathered scientists, supporters and<br />

community members for an evening <strong>of</strong> fashion, fun and philanthropy.<br />

The 17th annual spectacular was one to remember, featuring a one-<strong>of</strong>a-kind<br />

fashion show by Leigh’s along with a special presentation from<br />

world-renowned Italian brand Max Mara. Rarely seen outside their famous<br />

Milan shows, Max Mara treated guests to a unique look into their Fall/<br />

Winter 2022 Collection. In addition to stunning glamour from Max Mara<br />

and Leigh’s, the runway showcased new looks from Artistry, many <strong>of</strong> which<br />

were available for guests at the beauty bar, where they could receive<br />

makeup touchups throughout the evening. A strolling cocktail hour and<br />

silent auction allowed attendees to mingle, while those looking to upgrade<br />

their wardrobes visited a unique Max Mara pop-up shopping experience.<br />

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Amway, and our Presenting Sponsors,<br />

Leigh’s and Max Mara.<br />

(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) CAROL VAN ANDEL; LEIGH’S MODELS SHOW OFF THE LATEST LOOKS; MAX MARA SHOPPING<br />

EXPERIENCE; REBECCA WIERDA, CAROL VAN ANDEL & KELLI TEMPLETON; DJ AB ENTERTAINS DANCING GUESTS<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | <strong>23</strong>


EVENTS<br />

<strong>Hope</strong> on the Hill and The<br />

Chocolate Factory<br />

The 22nd <strong>Hope</strong> on the Hill was a sweet celebration <strong>of</strong> the heroes<br />

looking for the golden ticket against cancer, Parkinson’s and<br />

other diseases. The whimsical evening featured delectable<br />

cuisine and curious concoctions, including Gobstopper Gimlets<br />

and Chocolate River Cocktails. Guests, many dressed in their own<br />

fantastical outfits, were treated to world-class entertainment by<br />

improv artist and magician Michael Carbonaro, star and executive<br />

producer <strong>of</strong> the truTV series “The Carbonaro Effect.”<br />

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Fifth Third Private Bank.<br />

24 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


(STARTING AT TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) WHIMSICAL DECORATIONS;<br />

AUCTIONEER KICKS OFF PADDLE RAISE; HOPE ON THE HILL ENTRANCE;<br />

JIM ZWIERS, CAROL VAN ANDEL, JANE ZWIERS & DAVID VAN ANDEL;<br />

MICHAEL CARBONARO; DAVID VAN ANDEL; MARANDA EMCEES THE EVENT;<br />

JOHN NOWINSKI & DR. SARA NOWINSKI RECEIVE THEIR GOLDEN TICKET<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 25


EVENTS<br />

A Conversation About Health and<br />

the Environment — Hosted by<br />

Carol Van Andel<br />

The environment in which we live, work and play impacts our<br />

health — and the health <strong>of</strong> future generations — in countless<br />

ways. A Conversation About Health and the Environment —<br />

Hosted by Carol Van Andel highlighted groundbreaking research<br />

into these intricate connections and how they may be leveraged<br />

for a healthier tomorrow. Attendees heard from VAI scientists<br />

Dr. Yvonne Fondufe-Mittendorf, who studies the link between<br />

cancer and toxicants, and Dr. Heidi Lempradl, who investigates<br />

how the effects <strong>of</strong> certain chemical exposures could ripple<br />

through generations.<br />

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Howard Miller Company.<br />

(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) CAROL VAN ANDEL; DR. YVONNE FONDUFE-MITTENDORF; ATTENDEE ASKS A QUESTION;<br />

MARANDA LEADS THE Q&A SESSION; DR. HEIDI LEMPRADL<br />

26 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


Winterfest Celebration<br />

Grand Rapids’ winter extravaganza returned for the 18th<br />

year, combining food, cocktails and generosity to support<br />

Parkinson’s disease research. Held at Cascade Hills Country<br />

Club, the evening featured spectacular auction packages<br />

and outstanding conversation. Guests heard about the<br />

latest advancements in Parkinson’s disease research from<br />

Dr. Darren Moore, Chair and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor in the Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Neurodegenerative Science, who shared news about clinical<br />

trials and future Parkinson’s research.<br />

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Buist Electric.<br />

(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) DAVID VAN ANDEL; GUEST PARTICIPATES IN PADDLE RAISE;<br />

DR. DARREN MOORE DELIVERS REMARKS; DAVID & CAROL VAN ANDEL; MARANDA CHATS WITH KAREN CUSTER<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 27


PHILANTHROPY<br />

Thank you to our generous<br />

event sponsors<br />

To learn more about sponsoring an event, contact Sarah Rollman at sarah.rollman@vai.org.<br />

Winterfest<br />

Rob & Dawn Arnoys<br />

Barnes & Thornburg LLP<br />

Buist Electric<br />

Calamos Investments LLC<br />

Jerry & Suzanne Callahan<br />

Custer Inc.<br />

Deloitte<br />

Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh<br />

Ernst & Young<br />

Grand Rapids Christian Schools<br />

Jana Hall<br />

Harvey Automotive<br />

HB Wealth Management<br />

Hines Corporation<br />

Macatawa Bank<br />

McShane & Bowie, PLC<br />

MSU College <strong>of</strong> Human Medicine<br />

Owen Ames Kimball Co.<br />

P.L. Capital<br />

Lee & Alexandra Perez<br />

Pioneer Construction<br />

Rycenga Building Group<br />

Sharpe<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Michigan Health-<br />

West<br />

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP<br />

Robert & Karen Wiltz<br />

Around the World<br />

Accretive Company, Inc.<br />

Jerry & Suzanne Callahan<br />

Blake Crabb<br />

Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh<br />

Element Four<br />

John Hancock Financial<br />

Matt & Sarah Jones<br />

KM Online Marketing<br />

Lake Michigan Credit Union<br />

Leigh’s<br />

Mercantile Bank<br />

Mike & Rachel Mraz<br />

NVINT<br />

Lee & Alexandra Perez<br />

Regal Financial Group<br />

West Michigan Woman<br />

Wicked Pro<br />

Design & Discovery<br />

John & Mary Amell<br />

Autocam Medical<br />

Bayside Capital<br />

Franco & Alessandra Bianchi<br />

Bluewater Technologies<br />

Bradley Company/Brad & Katie<br />

Toothaker/Chip Bowling<br />

The Brooks Family<br />

Buist Electric<br />

Jerry & Suzanne Callahan<br />

CWD Real Estate<br />

David & Carol Van Andel Family<br />

Foundation<br />

Dominique & Julie DeNooyer/<br />

DeNooyer Chevrolet/Bob &<br />

Colette DeNooyer<br />

Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh<br />

John Dykema & Michele<br />

Maly-Dykema<br />

The Edgar & Elsa Prince<br />

Foundation<br />

Eenhoorn<br />

Ernst & Young LLP<br />

First National Bank <strong>of</strong> Michigan<br />

The George & Evelyn on 8th<br />

Jeff & Ann Harten<br />

The Hilldore Group — Baird<br />

Holland Hospital<br />

Inontime<br />

Patrick & Jasmine Irish<br />

Jeffery Roberts Design<br />

M&J Foundation & F45 Holland &<br />

Grand Haven<br />

Paul & Anne Nemsch<strong>of</strong>f<br />

Paolo Nicolai<br />

Nicolai North America<br />

Padnos<br />

Plastic Surgery Associates<br />

Priority Health<br />

Schupan<br />

SIBSCO<br />

Trans-Matic Mfg. Co. Inc.<br />

Visbeen Architects Inc.<br />

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP<br />

West Michigan Woman<br />

Vicky Weller<br />

Woodways International<br />

Jim & Jane Zwiers<br />

VAI Golf Outing<br />

Bluewater Technologies<br />

Consumers Credit Union<br />

Custer Inc.<br />

Dan & Vicki Distin<br />

Erhardt Construction<br />

First National Bank<br />

Gallagher Insurance<br />

Grand Rapids Christian Schools<br />

Ben & Molly Hunting<br />

Life EMS Ambulance<br />

Loomis, Sayles & Company<br />

Macatawa Bank<br />

Making the Turn Against<br />

Parkinson’s<br />

McAlvey Merchant & Associates<br />

Merrill Lynch — Timothy Long &<br />

William Mackay<br />

Midwest Capital<br />

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health<br />

Services<br />

Priority Health<br />

Rockford Construction<br />

John & Therese Rowerdink<br />

Secrest Wardle<br />

Sharpe<br />

Tom & Mary Stuit<br />

Summit Point Ro<strong>of</strong>ing<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Michigan Health-<br />

West<br />

Dave & Beth VanPortfliet<br />

Wells Fargo<br />

West Michigan Woman<br />

Couture for a Cure<br />

Acrisure<br />

Amway<br />

Andy J. Egan Co., Inc.<br />

The Bengtson Center for<br />

Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery<br />

Bluewater Technologies<br />

Chuck & Christine Boelkins<br />

Cheeky Strut<br />

Consumers Credit Union<br />

Mimi Cummings<br />

CWD Real Estate<br />

David & Carol Van Andel Family<br />

Foundation<br />

Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh<br />

Discovery Financial/David &<br />

Angela Muilenberg<br />

Eenhoorn<br />

Eileen DeVries Family Foundation<br />

Eurest<br />

First National Bank <strong>of</strong> Michigan<br />

Gallagher Insurance<br />

Patti Griswold<br />

Jana Hall<br />

Paul & Sheryl Haverkate<br />

Dave & Donna Hockstra<br />

J.C. Huizenga<br />

Humphries Development<br />

Jandernoa Foundation<br />

Jeffery Roberts Design<br />

Dr. Peter & Veronica Jones<br />

Margaret Klopcic<br />

Kool Auto Group<br />

Lake Michigan Credit Union<br />

Life EMS Ambulance<br />

Max Mara<br />

McAlvey Merchant & Associates<br />

Pediatric Dental Specialists <strong>of</strong><br />

West Michigan<br />

Shawn & Sarah Platt<br />

Priority Health<br />

Brenda Rinks<br />

RoMan Manufacturing<br />

Scott Group Studio<br />

Southport Trucking<br />

The Steve & Amy Van Andel<br />

Foundation<br />

Sharon Van Dellen<br />

Michael & Gayle VanGessel<br />

West Michigan Woman<br />

Meg Willit<br />

<strong>Hope</strong> on the Hill<br />

Al & Robin Koop Foundation<br />

Amway<br />

Aon<br />

Autocam Medical<br />

John & Ginny Baysore<br />

Bill & Amy Bennett<br />

Jeff & Meg Bennett<br />

Betz Industries<br />

Dave & Jill Bielema<br />

Bluewater Technologies<br />

Chuck & Christine Boelkins<br />

28 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


Buist Electric<br />

Jerry & Suzanne Callahan<br />

Calvin University School <strong>of</strong> Health<br />

Cancer & Hematology Centers <strong>of</strong><br />

Western Michigan, P.C.<br />

Ryan & Jessica Cook<br />

Tom & Tracy Curran<br />

Custer Inc.<br />

Davenport University<br />

David & Carol Van Andel Family<br />

Foundation<br />

Eenhoorn<br />

Ellis Parking Co.<br />

Fifth Third Private Bank<br />

Gallagher Insurance<br />

Daniel & Magee Gordon<br />

Grand Rapids Christian Schools<br />

Grand Valley State University<br />

Martin & Peggy Greydanus<br />

Jana Hall<br />

Hansen/Balk Steel Treating Co.<br />

Kurt & Madelon Hassberger<br />

<strong>Hope</strong> College<br />

Howard Miller Company<br />

ICN Foundation<br />

Jandernoa Foundation<br />

Matt & Sarah Jones<br />

Dr. Peter & Veronica Jones<br />

Craig & Debra Kinney<br />

Josh & Connie Kooistra<br />

Blake & Mary Krueger<br />

John & Katie Kuiper<br />

Lake Michigan Credit Union<br />

Ray & Jeannine Lanning<br />

Gary & Vicky Ludema<br />

Macatawa Bank<br />

Mayflower Designs, Electrical<br />

Contractor & Residential Builder<br />

Meijer<br />

The Meijer Foundation<br />

Merrill Lynch — Timothy Long &<br />

William Mackay<br />

Michigan State University College<br />

<strong>of</strong> Human Medicine<br />

New Holland Brewing Co.<br />

Northern Jet Management<br />

NPF Investment Advisors<br />

Owen Ames Kimball Co.<br />

Pageworks<br />

Peter C. & Emajean Cook<br />

Foundation<br />

Pioneer Construction<br />

Pitsch Companies<br />

Plastic Surgery Associates/Grand<br />

Pearl Spa<br />

Priority Health<br />

Progressive AE<br />

Quality Air Service Inc.<br />

Rev Foundation<br />

Rockford Construction<br />

Eve Rogus & Paul Becker in<br />

memory <strong>of</strong> Clementine (Teenie)<br />

Rogus<br />

Rowerdink Inc.<br />

Tony & Dawn Semple<br />

Sharpe<br />

Spectrum Health<br />

Rob & Susan Stafford<br />

Steelcase Inc.<br />

Stephen Klotz Family Foundation<br />

The Steve & Amy Van Andel<br />

Foundation<br />

Duke Suwyn<br />

Taconic Charitable Foundation<br />

Thomas S. Fox Family<br />

Dr. Steve & Laura Triezenberg<br />

Truscott Rossman Group<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Michigan Health-<br />

West<br />

Mike & Michelle VanDyke<br />

Van Eerden Foodservice<br />

Dr. Bob & Grace VanTimmeren<br />

Christian & Kara VerMeulen<br />

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP<br />

Wells Fargo<br />

West Michigan Woman<br />

Williams Kitchen & Bath<br />

Greg & Meg Willit<br />

Wolverine Worldwide<br />

Jim & Jane Zwiers<br />

A Conversation About Health<br />

and the Environment — Hosted<br />

by Carol Van Andel<br />

Cornerstone<br />

Gallagher Insurance<br />

Howard Miller Company<br />

iHeart Media<br />

Leigh’s<br />

West Michigan Woman<br />

This list includes sponsors <strong>of</strong><br />

signature events through<br />

December 2022.<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 29


PHILANTHROPY<br />

MEMORIALS<br />

We appreciate your trust in us to fight disease in memory or in honor <strong>of</strong> your family and friends — with hope for a healthier tomorrow.<br />

To make a gift in memory or in honor <strong>of</strong> a loved one, please call 616.<strong>23</strong>4.5392.<br />

Peter M. Allen<br />

Tom & Marianne Allen<br />

Joseph Babauta Jr.<br />

Rita Babauta-Love<br />

Elizabeth Barber<br />

Patricia Bonnell<br />

Ralph Barton<br />

Randy Barton<br />

Darrin Batdorff<br />

Grandville Middle School<br />

Philip Battershall<br />

Shirley Battershall<br />

Ernest C. Bevins<br />

David & Julie Bevins<br />

Dale Bordewyk<br />

Shirley Bordewyk<br />

Connie Brummel<br />

Roger Brummel<br />

Mona Jean Canniff Bode<br />

Mary Jean Swaney<br />

Richie Cebelak<br />

Geralyn Winks<br />

Chris Covert<br />

Gina Covert<br />

Lynn Cudney<br />

Chuck & Patricia Bloom<br />

Ronald DeGreen<br />

Carole DuHadway<br />

Larry DeSmith<br />

Brian & Jennifer DeSmith<br />

Robert Dudley<br />

Dave & Sharon Slobodnik<br />

Robert DuHadway<br />

Bill & Linda Peterson<br />

Melissa Eden<br />

Keith & Carolyn Murphy<br />

Floyd Fleetham<br />

Lawrence Waite & Lucy<br />

Hough-Waite<br />

Gordon Girod<br />

Mark H<strong>of</strong>man & Stephanie<br />

De Leeuw<br />

Barbara Grewe<br />

Scott & Beth Dubravac<br />

David Fehringer<br />

Kayley Hendershot<br />

Daniel Joseph<br />

Grace Schatz<br />

Linda Weingartz<br />

Cheryl Yee<br />

Tom Halstead<br />

Gene & Barb Gutting<br />

Susan Hawkins<br />

Dave & Sallie Brinks<br />

Eleanor Hughes<br />

Ron & Luann DeVries<br />

Nancy Inman<br />

Robin Wendland<br />

David Kaliniak<br />

David & Lana Green<br />

David Hardy<br />

Catherine Kaliniak<br />

Rob & Patti Kaliniak<br />

Bill & Renee Yeo<br />

Sharon Karsten<br />

David Karsten<br />

Wilson Karsten<br />

David Karsten<br />

Mark L. Kastner<br />

Anonymous<br />

Nathanael Kastner<br />

Erin Kilburn<br />

Ramon Nayar & Katya<br />

Sidelnik<br />

Sanford C. Leestma<br />

Marjory Leestma<br />

Wilber Lettinga<br />

David & Carol Van Andel<br />

Family Foundation<br />

John “Jack” Maher<br />

Dave & Sallie Brinks<br />

Patrick Maher<br />

Maureen Maher<br />

J. Daniel Marslender<br />

Walter & Kimberlee Catton<br />

Nelson McBride<br />

Mary Susan McBride<br />

Mel Nylaan<br />

Marjory Leestma<br />

Claire Ozinga<br />

Joy DeBoer<br />

Denise Picardat<br />

Brian Picardat<br />

Mark V. Puccio<br />

Julie Puccio<br />

Richard Pullen<br />

Ruth Kemp<br />

Julie Regnier McCoy<br />

Michelle Regnier<br />

William Harry Reynolds<br />

Dave & Sallie Brinks<br />

Clementine “Teenie” Rogus<br />

Paul Becker & Eve Rogus<br />

John & Lucille Ryan<br />

Donald & Patricia Patterson<br />

Carlin Sall<br />

Amy Martinie<br />

James Stacy<br />

Caroline Stacy<br />

Marilon Teter<br />

Maryanna Johnson<br />

Valorie Triemstra<br />

David & Carol Van Andel<br />

Family Foundation<br />

Jay & Betty Van Andel<br />

William & Yvonne Van Ee<br />

Dee Van Heuvelen<br />

Gene Van Heuvelen<br />

Marvin & Lois Van Heuvelen<br />

Bill Van Regenmorter<br />

Bill & Rosemary Stevenson<br />

Dr. George Vande Woude<br />

Dave & Susan Birdsall<br />

Joyce A. Vander Sloot<br />

Jack Vander Sloot<br />

Patricia Vaughan<br />

Phil Babel<br />

Barry Barr<br />

John & Myrna Borling<br />

John & Mary Breuninger<br />

James Bruno<br />

Lynn Clark<br />

Ruben Familia & Andrea Nielsen<br />

Stan & Terri Goodwin-Newberry<br />

Gil & Janice Guarino<br />

Mary Hendrickson<br />

Warren & Sondra Hickmott<br />

30 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE


Patrick & Diane Howard<br />

Martin & Sandi Huffman<br />

Lyubov Johnson<br />

Pat & Betty Kaufmann<br />

Nick & Linda Kobylk<br />

Gilbert & Bev Larsen<br />

Alan & Jane Lendway<br />

Tom & Virginia Longuillo<br />

Guy Lunsford<br />

Patrick Matsche & Melanie<br />

Nesterenko<br />

Sean McReynolds<br />

John Milbrand<br />

Phil & Julie Milbrand<br />

Jill Nagel<br />

Leland & Susan Newens<br />

Lila O’Keefe<br />

Steven & Teri Olson<br />

Kate Ramos<br />

Cindy Rapp-Zelinski<br />

Alana Robinson<br />

Rick & Kristine Slifer<br />

Richard & Laura Spatz<br />

Larry & Jill Stucchi<br />

Judi Swift<br />

Jim & Shari Tompkins<br />

Gilbert & Jill Vaughan<br />

Barbara Vick<br />

Mr. Ben Watson<br />

Weatherly & Associates<br />

Nina Christine Veneklase<br />

Catherine Amodeo<br />

Eric Westra<br />

Chelsea Westra<br />

David Wiersema<br />

Julie Wiersema<br />

Randal L. Winchester<br />

Chuck & Lois Winchester<br />

James Andrew Wood<br />

Roger & Phyllis Strauss<br />

George Woons<br />

Carole Zoller<br />

Eugene J. Yost<br />

Carole Yost<br />

Daniel Young<br />

Joe & Kelley Young<br />

TRIBUTES<br />

Grant Backer<br />

Davis Backer<br />

Gisela Kah<br />

Greg Northrup & Birgit Klohs<br />

George Sharpe Sr.<br />

William & Paula Murphy<br />

Amy Bauer<br />

James & Shirley Fitzgerald<br />

Evan Beukema<br />

Emma Beukema<br />

Dylan Bruinsma<br />

Gordy & Cathy Bruinsma<br />

Patricia Cebelak<br />

James & Mary Helen DeLiefde<br />

Geralyn Winks<br />

David Kammeraad<br />

Chad & Cherrah Casserly<br />

David & Kimberly Lund<br />

Dale & Jacob Lesperance<br />

Ethan Lesperance<br />

Charlotte Montambo<br />

Denise Schott<br />

Chelsea Overbeek<br />

Shirley Overbeek<br />

Dr. Todd Stevens<br />

Kathleen Teunis<br />

Dona Whitehouse<br />

Greg Northrup & Birgit Klohs<br />

Geralyn Winks<br />

Patricia Cebelak<br />

Allison DeHorn<br />

Allan & Jo Ann Hooper<br />

Photos By Kaity<br />

Gordy & Cathy Bruinsma<br />

Mary Helen DeLiefde<br />

Patricia Cebelak<br />

Geralyn Winks<br />

Wendy Rebhan<br />

Nicholas Rebhan<br />

These lists represent gifts made between June 1 and Dec. 31, 2022. The accuracy <strong>of</strong> these lists is very important to us. Please contact 616.<strong>23</strong>4.5392 if an error has been made.<br />

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 31


Support VAI’s<br />

research and<br />

education<br />

initiatives with<br />

a gift from your<br />

donor-advised fund<br />

If you have a donor-advised fund, now is the time to<br />

make a positive impact on the future <strong>of</strong> healthcare,<br />

biomedical research and graduate and K–12 education.<br />

A grant from your DAF directly supports our mission<br />

and helps create a brighter future.<br />

Giving to VAI from your donor-advised fund is easy:<br />

• Call your DAF manager and recommend a<br />

gift to Van Andel Institute.<br />

• Your DAF will send a check or wire money<br />

directly to VAI.<br />

<strong>Highlights</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hope</strong> is supported through<br />

Van Andel Institute operational funds,<br />

ensuring 100% <strong>of</strong> donations go<br />

toward the Institute’s research and<br />

educational efforts.<br />

To learn more about supporting VAI through your<br />

donor-advised fund, please contact:<br />

Kate Frillmann, Philanthropy Director<br />

616.<strong>23</strong>5.5515<br />

kate.frillmann@vai.org

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