Highlights of Hope Spring/Summer 23

Craig Reynolds joins VAI as
Vice President for Research
Protections
Van Andel Institute welcomed
Craig Reynolds as Vice President
for Research Protections in
October 2022. The purpose of
this new position is twofold: first,
to facilitate the efforts of VAI
faculty as they strive to achieve
their research objectives,
and second, to maintain VAI’s
strong culture of compliance
in which every aspect of the
research enterprise conforms
to the highest levels of ethics
and integrity and follows all the
relevant rules
and regulations.
He joined VAI from the
University of Michigan, where
he most recently served as
Assistant Vice President for
Research-Sponsored Projects.
Reynolds has extensive
experience in research and
grants administration, having
also held positions at the
University of Pennsylvania,
Central Michigan University,
and the National Science
Foundation.
At the Institute, Reynolds aims
to be a resource for faculty. He
hopes to improve policies in a
way that accelerates research
while protecting the integrity
of the science, creating a
collaborative relationship that
propels VAI forward. This is
one of his key focus areas, as
research, especially federally
funded research, is heavily
regulated.
I see our collective work
as a partnership, because
we all share the same
goals: seeing our faculty
succeed, growing the
reputation of the Institute,
and improving health and
enhancing lives.”
— Craig Reynolds
“Having a robust in-house team
that is focused on these rules
and how we are following them
helps to ensure we are good
stewards of the funding VAI
receives,” Reynolds said. “Most
importantly, I hope this focus
will enable our faculty to spend
more time on research.”
For Reynolds, compliance is
a journey, not a destination.
Federal regulations evolve, and
the Institute must evolve with
them. As the rules that govern
research change, Reynolds will
work with faculty to decode the
information.
“At a core level, I’m a translator,”
he said, working to turn
complicated guidelines into
straightforward plans of action.
“I want to make sure our
scientists have enough time
to focus on their research,”
Reynolds said. “I see our
collective work as a partnership,
because we all share the
same goals: seeing our faculty
succeed, growing the reputation
of the Institute, and improving
health and enhancing lives.”
Reynolds’ hire comes during an
exceptional period of growth for
VAI. Since 2014, the Institute has
recruited more than two dozen
principal investigators who have
established labs at VAI and
expanded its research program
into new areas, including
metabolism and nutrition.
“We are thrilled to welcome
Craig to the Institute and look
forward to his contributions
to our research enterprise
and our exceptional research
compliance team,” said VAI
Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Peter
A. Jones. “His expertise will be
invaluable as we continue to
grow and evolve.”
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