2022 Annual Report

2022 

Annual 

Report

Van Andel Institute began with 

a vision: to improve human health. 

A hub for ideas and advancements, the Institute is fueled by a 

community of bright minds that share a relentless curiosity and 

a deep commitment to make the world a better place through 

biomedical research into cancer, Parkinson’s, metabolic disorders 

and other diseases. Our graduate school offers a rigorous, researchintensive 

Ph.D. program, while our K-12 education initiatives inspire 

teachers and students through a focus on curiosity, creativity and 

critical thinking. 

At Van Andel Institute, we do more than dream about improving 

human health. We strive to make it a reality every day.

Table of Contents 

2 A letter from David Van Andel 

4 Research 

6 Research highlights: 

Neurodegenerative Science 

8 Research highlights: Epigenetics 

10 Research highlights: Cell Biology 

11 Cryo-EM turns five 

12 Research highlights: Structural Biology 


Metabolism and Nutritional Programming 

16 Translating impact from lab to clinic 


Core Technologies and Services 

19 Catalyzing discovery through collaboration 

20 VAI Principal Investigators 

28 Van Andel Institute Graduate School 

29 How VAI supports early-career scientists 

32 Education 

34 Education highlights 

38 Events and Philanthropy 

40 Event photos 

50 Signature event sponsors 

52 Donor spotlight: Jeffery Roberts 

54 Donor spotlight: Richard Cebelak 

56 From Purple Community to 

JBoard Ambassador 

58 Running for family and research 

60 Circle of Hope 

60 VAI by the numbers 

61 Leadership team 

62 Board Members 

64 Board of Governors 

65 JBoard Ambassadors 

30 Graduate School highlights 

31 VAI welcomes three new faculty 

1

A letter from 

David Van Andel 

Dear Friends and Supporters, 

We’ve been blessed with another year of advances in 

research and education, each milestone reaffirming 

our commitment to life-changing therapies and 

breakthroughs. More than 25 years since our inception, 

we’re still fully immersed in an ongoing quest to unlock 

the secrets of science. 

The reason we continue to exist and thrive? Nothing less 

than an insatiable desire to embrace humanity and all 

of its touchstones that translate to need. And make no 

mistake; We’re in it for the long run. 

Imbued within the pages of this Annual Report, you’ll see 

how honored we are to share the achievements of our 

scientists and educators — underscored with gratitude 

toward the individuals and organizations who support 

our efforts to create a better, healthier world both now 

and for those who will follow in our wake. 

And what a future it’s shaping up to be: VAI continues 

its purposeful growth, welcoming new scientists and 

educators who expand our research and classroom 

capabilities. We conduct cutting-edge research with 

the knowledge that meaningful advances can only come 

through an unwavering push forward. Together, we’re 

learning more about cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, 

and other diseases. And we’re both privileged and 

proud to share those discoveries with the world so that 

breakthroughs made right here in West Michigan can 

have an impact in every corner of the globe. 

Our successes extend to our Graduate School and K–12 

education initiatives, both of which continue to lean on 

the curiosity, creativity and critical thinking necessary 

to develop the next generation of scientists. Education 

also has been at the heart of the Institute’s mission 

since its founding, and our programs continue to elevate 

science and teaching throughout the nation. 

Thanks to these efforts, VAI has become internationally 

recognized, a feat that would not be possible without 

the support of individuals, organizations, businesses and 

communities who believe in our mission and our passion 

to improve health for generations to come. 

From all of us at Van Andel Institute — and on behalf of 

the untold millions whose very lives might be changed 

by who we are and what we do — thank you and God 

bless you. 

Sincerely, 


Van Andel Institute Chairman & CEO 

2

“From all of us at Van Andel Institute — and on 

behalf of the untold millions whose very lives might 

be changed by who we are and what we do — 

thank you and God bless you.” 

— David Van Andel 

Van Andel Institute Chairman & CEO 

3

Van Andel Institute 

for Research 

EVERY DAY, WE COLLABORATE AT THE FOREFRONT OF FUNDAMENTAL AND 

TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE IN PURSUIT OF BREAKTHROUGH TREATMENT 

STRATEGIES FOR CANCER, PARKINSON’S AND OTHER DISEASES. 

OUR GRADUATE SCHOOL OFFERS A RIGOROUS, RESEARCH- 

INTENSIVE PH.D. PROGRAM THAT DEVELOPS LEADERS 

IN MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY.

Department of Neurodegenerative Science 

The Institute’s Department of Neurodegenerative 

Science is home to experts in Parkinson’s disease 

and other progressive neurological disorders, such 

as Alzheimer’s and related dementias, amyotrophic 

lateral sclerosis (ALS) and depression. Their goal 

is to improve quality of life for people with these 

diseases by: 

Impeding disease progression: VAI scientists are 

working to better understand the complex causes of 

Parkinson’s in order to develop new treatments that 

slow or stop the disease’s progression or even prevent 

it altogether — something no current treatment can do. 

Designing more definitive diagnostic methods: 

There are currently no definitive diagnostic tests for 

Parkinson’s, which complicates treatment decisions 

and puts an undue burden on patients. Institute 

scientists are searching for biological indicators called 

biomarkers, which can be assessed objectively and 

used to better diagnose the disease. 

Investigating the underpinnings of Alzheimer’s 

and other disorders: VAI’s research extends 

beyond Parkinson’s into diseases like Alzheimer’s, 

frontotemporal dementia, ALS, depression and 

suicidality. 

2022 HIGHLIGHTS 

Blood markers can predict depression in pregnancy 

Signs of inflammation in the blood reliably predict and identify severe depression in pregnancy, reported a 

study led by Van Andel Institute’s Dr. Lena Brundin and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services’ Dr. Eric 

Achtyes. The team’s analysis established a set of 15 biological markers found in the blood that can predict 

whether pregnant women will experience significant depressive symptoms with more than 80% accuracy. 

The findings could give physicians a much-needed tool to identify women who may be at risk for depression 

and better tailor their care throughout pregnancy. 1 

Neuroscientist Dr. Qiang Zhu joins VAI 

In January 2022, neuroscientist Dr. Qiang Zhu joined VAI as an assistant professor. Zhu is an expert in two 

devastating neurodegenerative diseases that affect movement and cognitive function: amyotrophic lateral 

sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). His research bridges the fields of genetics, epigenetics, 

cell biology and behavioral neuroscience — a combination that provides a critical window into the 

interconnected factors that may contribute to ALS and FTD. Zhu is hopeful that his work, which focuses on 

repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene, will uncover new targets for treatment and new biomarkers that will 

aid scientists and physicians in studying and tracking disease progression. 

Movement disorders pioneer Dr. Anthony E. Lang honored with Jay Van Andel Award 

VAI awarded renowned movement disorders pioneer Dr. Anthony E. Lang with its 2022 Jay Van Andel Award 

for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s Disease Research. The award was presented during Grand 

Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease, VAI’s flagship annual Parkinson’s disease symposium, in September. 

Lang’s groundbreaking, multifaceted research seeks to understand how movement disorders such as 

Parkinson’s begin, how they spread in the brain, and how these insights may be translated into treatments 

that slow or stop disease progression — a feat not possible with existing therapeutic strategies. The award 

was established in 2012 in memory of VAI Founder Jay Van Andel, who battled Parkinson’s disease for a decade 

before his death in 2004. The annual award is given to scientists who have made outstanding contributions to 

Parkinson’s disease research and who have positively impacted human health. 

Funding Acknowledgement 

1 

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 granting organizations. 

6

RESEARCH 

9 

7

Department of Epigenetics 

Scientists in VAI’s Department of Epigenetics 

seek to understand how epigenetic changes may 

either protect us from or predispose us to complex 

diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s and metabolic 

disorders. They do so by: 

Building on the basics: From uncovering the 

underpinnings of disease to understanding the 

mechanisms that propel the spread of diseases like 

cancer, VAI scientists are dedicated to revealing the 

molecular machinery that underlies a variety of 

complex disorders. 

Translating discovery: Institute scientists are 

committed to putting laboratory discoveries to work in 

the real world by helping translate them into actionable 

new treatments that can better combat disease and 

save lives. 

Moving new therapies into the clinic: VAI works 

closely with leading medical organizations in the U.S. 

and abroad to take new therapies into the doctor’s office 

through clinical trials, which are vital for ensuring that 

new treatments are safe and effective. The Institute 

is home to the Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To 

Cancer (VAI–SU2C) Epigenetics Dream Team, a multiinstitutional, 

collaborative effort that brings together 

several of the world’s most respected research and 

clinical organizations to translate scientific discoveries 

into new standards of patient care. The goal is simple — 

get new and more effective cancer therapies to 

patients faster. 

For more information on our clinical collaborations, 

please see page 16. 


New cellular ‘clock’ offers fresh way to measure 

cellular age 

Cellular aging is a major risk factor for many chronic 

diseases, but accurately measuring it is difficult. Now, VAI 

scientists have developed a new method for pinpointing 

cellular age that evaluates the number of times a 

cell has divided rather than relying on chronological 

time. The more cells replicate, the more likely they 

will accumulate errors over time that contribute to 

diseases such as cancer. The findings, published in 

Nature Communications, are a vital step toward realworld 

applications for assessing disease risk and guiding 

treatment decisions in the doctor’s office. The research 

was led by Dr. Jamie Endicott, a recent graduate of 

Van Andel Institute Granduate School who worked in the 

lab of Dr. Peter W. Laird. Laird and Dr. Hui Shen are the 

corresponding authors of the study. 1 

VAI, The Scientist launch podcast mini-series on 

health and the environment 

How do our environment and diet set the stage for 

future health? That’s one of the big questions VAI and 

The Scientist tackled in the podcast mini-series Exposed: 

Environmental Echoes in Health, part of The Scientist’s 

Lab Talk podcast series. 

The three-episode series featured VAI scientists Dr. Nick 

Burton, Dr. Yvonne Fondufe-Mittendorf and Dr. Heidi 

Lempradl, who explored how the factors to which we are 

exposed in our environment can impact our health and 

the health of future generations. All episodes of Exposed: 

Environmental Echoes in Health are available at The 

Scientist and on all major podcast platforms. The podcast 

accompanies a Q&A with VAI’s Dr. J. Andrew Pospisilik, 

who explores the long-lasting impacts of environmental 

exposures. 

Data Insights grant fuels computing projects 

at VAI, GVSU 

A collaboration between VAI’s Dr. Tim Triche, Jr. and 

Grand Valley State University’s Dr. Zach DeBruine to 

make data more accessible to researchers worldwide 

received support through a $200,000 Data Insights 

grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. 

The project addresses a central problem in modern, 

data-intensive biomedical research: how to efficiently 

store and analyze the massive data output from today’s 

technologies in a way that allows researchers and 

citizen-scientists to unlock insights within. 

For example, scientists can now catalog the differences 

between individual cells in extreme detail, illuminating 

variations that may contribute to cancer, Parkinson’s 

and many other diseases. But these answers are buried 

in vast swathes of data that must be analyzed and 

stored, a task that can be challenging even for highpowered 

computers. 

DeBruine is a former postdoctoral fellow in Triche’s 

lab who earned his doctorate from Van Andel Institute 

Graduate School. As part of his Ph.D. dissertation, 

DeBruine developed an elegant solution that repackages 

data files that are too big to run on a single computer 

into a compressed form that requires 1/10th the 

computing space without losing data or performance. 

8

Scientists redefine obesity with discovery of 

two distinct subtypes 

A team led by VAI scientist Dr. J. Andrew Pospisilik 

has identified two distinct types of obesity with 

physiological and molecular differences that may have 

lifelong consequences for health, disease and response 

to medication. The findings, published in the journal 

Nature Metabolism, offer a more nuanced understanding 

of obesity than current definitions and may one day 

inform more precise ways to diagnose and treat obesity 

and associated metabolic disorders. The study also 

revealed new details about the role of epigenetics and 

chance in health and provides insights into the link 

between insulin and obesity. 2 

Creation of new tool represents a paradigm 

shift in epigenetics research of model systems 

for human disease 

Epigenetics plays a role in virtually every aspect of 

health and disease, but studying exactly how and why 

epigenetic changes affect us has been a challenge due 

to a lack of appropriate tools and techniques. Now, VAI 

scientists and their collaborators have developed a 

powerful new tool that will help us better understand 

how epigenetics maintains health and, when things go 

wrong, promotes diseases such as cancer. The research 

was led by VAI’s Dr. Peter W. Laird and Dr. Hui Shen 

and will facilitate groundbreaking research around 

the world. 3 

New technique helps scientists run circles 

around cancer 

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, 

VAI scientists have found one culprit behind this 

connection: oxidative stress, a process that disrupts the 

genetic code by damaging DNA. The findings, published 

in 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. This work was made possible 

using a new technique called circle damage sequencing 

developed by the lab of VAI’s Dr. Gerd Pfeifer. In 2021, 

Pfeifer’s lab also used circle damage sequencing to 

determine that the mutations that give rise to 

melanoma result from a chemical conversion in 

DNA damaged by sunlight — not just a DNA 

copying error as previously believed. 4 

Dr. Yvonne Fondufe-Mittendorf joins VAI 

Epigenetics expert Dr. Yvonne Fondufe-Mittendorf 

joined VAI’s growing faculty as a professor in January 

2022, a move that expanded the Institute’s research into 

the relationship between environmental exposures and 

cancer. Fondufe-Mittendorf studies the relationship 

between environmental factors, such as arsenic in 

drinking water, and cancer risk. Her research has 

revealed how low-dose arsenic exposure transforms 

healthy cells into malignant ones — revelations that have 

significant public health implications. 

Funding Acknowledgements 

Research reported in this publication was supported by: 

1 

Van Andel Institute and the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes 

of Health under award no. R01AG066764 (Laird and Shen). Approximately 50% of the 

funding for this study came from federal sources; approximately 50% came from nonfederal 

sources. 

2 

Van Andel Institute; Max Planck Gesellschaft; the European Union’s Horizon 2020 

Research and Innovation Program under Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement 

no. 675610; the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the European Foundation for the Study of 

Diabetes; the Danish Council for Independent Research; the National Human Genome 

Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R21HG011964 

(Pospisilik); and the NIH Common Fund, through the Office of the NIH Director (OD), 

and the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health 

under award no. R01HG012444 (Pospisilik and Nadeau). Approximately 5% ($50,000) of 

funding for this study is from federal sources; approximately 95% ($950,000) is from 

non-U.S. governmental sources. 

3 

Van Andel Institute; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; and the National Cancer 

Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award nos. R01CA157918, 

R01CA212374 and R01CA234125 (Laird). Shen is supported by the National Cancer 

Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R37CA230748. Jones is 

supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under 

award no. R35CA209859. 

4 

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 or other funders. 

RESEARCH 

727 

9

Department of Cell Biology 

Our health, and consequently our lives, depends on the coordinated activities 

of our individual cells; diseases arise when the activities of these cells become 

derailed. Through combined expertise in different cell types and communication 

mechanisms and using state-of-the-art approaches, scientists in VAI’s 

Department of Cell Biology pursue fundamental research to understand how our 

cells grow, communicate, survive, assemble into tissues and organs, respond to 

the environment and change with age. This transformative work will yield new 

diagnostic and treatment strategies to improve the quality of life for people with 

cancer, bone diseases and rare disorders. 

Studying how cells assemble and repair organs: Our scientists are looking closely 

at how cells replicate and gradually become specialized, particularly in the skeleton 

and the blood. The department’s labs focus on understanding a host of cellular 

processes, including how cells sense the changes in the body, how cells adjust to 

meet these needs, how cells talk to and work with each other, how the aging process 

damages cell integrity and contributes to disease, and how to restore the proper 

cellular function in aging organs. 

Understanding how derailed cells trigger cancers: Cancer can occur when cells 

are derailed during growth or specialization. Our scientists are investigating the 

genetic and molecular cues for abnormal cell activity in the development of cancers, 

including leukemia, breast cancer, sarcomas and pancreatic cancer. They aim to 

translate this knowledge into novel approaches for diagnosis and treatment. 

Exploring how cellular processes change over time: As our cells age, changes 

arise that lead to dysfunction and disease. Our scientists are exploring how cellular 

processes that function seamlessly in healthy people can fail as they age. This 

research may one day inform treatments to delay or prevent osteoarthritis, bone 

fragility and cancer. 


VAI grad student awarded fellowship to pursue new osteoarthritis 

therapies 

The PhRMA Foundation selected Van Andel Institute Graduate School student Vladimir 

Molchanov to receive a prestigious predoctoral fellowship to pursue improved 

treatments for osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. 

This painful, progressive disorder occurs when the cartilage within joints wears down, 

resulting in swelling, stiffness, pain and loss of mobility. Although treatments exist, 

they offer only temporary relief from symptoms rather than fixing the disorder’s 

root cause. 

The $50,000 fellowship will support Molchanov as he seeks to solve a pair of major 

problems in osteoarthritis treatment: how to deliver therapies to the site of joint damage 

and how to stimulate new cartilage growth. To do this, he has proposed an approach 

called SEEK and HEAL that would use specially designed stem cells generated from 

adult cells to “seek” out damaged cartilage and help “heal” it by regrowing lost tissue. 1 

VAI scientist earns grant to investigate cellular communication in 

development and disease 

Dr. Stephanie Grainger is working to decipher how cells “talk” to each other in hopes 

of better understanding how this process protects health and, when things go wrong, 

promotes disease. In 2021, she was awarded a $2.4 million, five-year Maximizing 

Investigators’ Research Award from the National Institute of General Medical 

Sciences of the National Institutes of Health for her project, and, in 2022, she received 

additional supplemental funding to fuel this critical research. Grainger’s research 

may shed new light on healthy development and the role of cellular communication in 

cancer, osteoporosis, heart conditions and other diseases. 2 

Funding Acknowledgements 


1 

The PhRMA Foundation. 

2 

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R35GM142779 and award 

no. R35GM142779-02S1 (Grainger). 

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 granting organizations. 

10

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 state-of-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: 

• The first images of TRPM5, a taste-sensing 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 attacks by the immune system. 

Around 

the 

Institute 

• 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 helping them maintain 

pH balance — a critical function that keeps cells alive and helps 

prevent stroke and other brain injuries. 

RESEARCH 

• New insights into how our genetic code is repaired, a crucial process 

that keeps us healthy and staves off disease. 

• The first high-resolution images of a pair of molecules, DNMT3A 

and DNMT3B, that play important roles in cancer and may serve as powerful 

targets for anti-cancer medications. 

“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 new advances and laying the 

foundations for new frontiers in health.” 

— Dr. Peter A. Jones, Chief Scientific Officer 


11 11

Department of Structural Biology 

Scientists in the Institute’s Department of Structural 

Biology aim to understand the most basic building 

blocks of biology to inform our understanding of 

health and disease, and to aid in the development of 

new, improved medications for an array of disorders. 

Studying the foundations of life: Our scientists are 

investigating the mechanisms that allow our DNA to 

replicate, as well as the molecules at the core of some of 

our most vital systems, such as temperature regulation, 

communication between cells, and energy production 

and regulation. 

Turning weaknesses into strengths: Our scientists 

are investigating molecular vulnerabilities in bacteria, 

such as those that cause tuberculosis and urinary tract 

infections, and in diseases, such as cancer, to find ways 

to leverage these weaknesses for treatment. 

Aiding drug discovery: By better understanding 

molecular structure and function, our scientists could 

aid in the development of more targeted medications 

with fewer side effects. 


Study reveals insights into enzyme that combats common greenhouse gas 

An enzyme that combats the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N 2 

O) may one day give scientists a potent new tool for 

reducing the amount of the gas in the atmosphere thanks in part to findings published in Nature. The study details 

how the enzyme — N 2 

O reductase — is assembled and offers key insights into its ability to render nitrous oxide 

into harmless nitrogen and water. The research was co-led by VAI's Dr. Juan Du and Dr. Wei Lü, and University of 

Freiburg's Dr. Oliver Einsle. 1 

Molecular ‘blueprint’ illuminates how plants perceive light 

Plants rely on their ability to sense light for survival. But unlike animals, plants don’t have eyes full of photoreceptors 

to capture and convey messages from visual stimuli. Instead, plants are coated with a network of light-sensing 

photoreceptors that detect different wavelengths of light, allowing them to regulate their lifecycles and adjust to 

environmental conditions. Now, VAI and Washington University scientists have determined the molecular structure 

of one of these vital photoreceptors — a protein known as PhyB — revealing a wholly different structure than 

previously known. The findings, published in Nature by VAI’s Dr. Huilin Li and Washington University’s 

Dr. Rick Vierstra, may have implications for agricultural and “green” bioengineering practices. 2 

VAI marks five years of discovery with cryo-EM 

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 new 

treatments for disease. 

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, such as new insights into how our DNA repairs itself, how 

our cells communicate and sense their environment, and how potential targets for new medications work. 

12

Cryo-EM reveals how ‘911’ molecule helps fix DNA 

When something goes wrong during DNA replication, cells call their own 

version of 911 to pause the process and fix the problem — a failsafe that 

is critical to maintaining health and staving off disease. We now know 

more about this crucial system thanks to Dr. Huilin Li and The Rockefeller 

University’s Dr. Michael E O’Donnell, who revealed how a key piece of this 

repair process — appropriately called the 911 DNA checkpoint clamp — is 

recruited to the site of DNA damage. The findings, published in Nature 

Structural and Molecular Biology, illuminate new insights into the way cells 

ensure genetic instructions are properly passed from one generation of cells 

to the next. 3 

Dr. Zheng Ruan earns prestigious K99 grant, first in VAI history 

Earning one’s first federal grant is a major milestone in a scientist’s career. 

Not only do these grants provide vital funding, but they also demonstrate the 

promise and innovation of research projects. Among the most prestigious of 

these early grants is a K99/R00 from the National Institutes of Health, which 

provides support throughout the transition to a scientist’s first independent 

research position. In summer 2022, Dr. Zheng Ruan, a postdoctoral fellow 

in the labs of Dr. Juan Du and Dr. Wei Lü, earned the first K99/R00 award in 

VAI’s 26-year history. Dr. Ruan is a structural biologist, a scientist who uses 

cutting-edge technology to visualize the tiny molecules responsible for our 

health and, when things go wrong, for disease. 4 

Funding Acknowledgments 


1 

European Research Council under award no. 310656 (Einsle); Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft under award no. 

CRC1381 (project ID: 403222702; Einsle) and award no. RTG2202 (project ID: 46710898, Einsle); the BIOSS Centre 

for Biological Signaling Studies at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (Einsle); a McKnight Scholar Award (Du); a 

Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Award in Neuroscience (Du); a Sloan Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (Du); a Pew 

Scholars in Biomedical Research Award from the Pew Charitable Trusts (Du); and the National Institute of Neurological 

Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R01NS111031 (Du). 

2 

Van Andel Institute (Li), Washington University (Vierstra) and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of 

the National Institutes of Health under award nos. R01GM127892 (Vierstra) and R35GM131754 (Li). 

3 

Van Andel Institute (Li), The Rockefeller University (O’Donnell) and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences 

of the National Institutes of Health under award nos. R01GM115809 (O’Donnell) and R35GM131754 (Li); the Breast Cancer 

Research Foundation under award no. 20-068 (O’Donnell); and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (O’Donnell). 

4 

Dr. Ruan is supported in part by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke under award no. 

K99NS128258. 

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 granting organizations. 

Funding 

VAI scientists have 133 active 

awards totaling $166.1 million. 

Figures current as of November 2022 

In 2022, VAI scientists earned 35 

new awards totaling $41.8 million. 


Publications 

In 2022, VAI scientists published 

120 papers. Of these, 48 were in 

high-impact journals. 


Faculty and Cores 

34 Labs 

9 Cores 

Nature Index 

The Nature Index, which measures 

institutional scientific output, 

ranks VAI no. 31 in the Life 

Science category out of the top 

100 nongovernmental/nonprofits. 

VAI ranks no. 41 overall. 

RESEARCH 

13 13

Department of 

Metabolism & Nutritional Programming 

By developing a detailed understanding of 

metabolism and how it is impacted by nutrition, 

genetics and epigenetics, VAI scientists aim 

to develop metabolism-based therapies and 

interventions with the ultimate goal of improving 

human health. Their areas of focus include: 

Understanding metabolism in health and 

designing preventative strategies: Metabolism is 

a key part of virtually every aspect of human health. 

By understanding its basic mechanics and how this 

vast system is regulated, scientists hope to develop 

strategies for maintaining healthy function and 

preventing diseases caused by metabolic breakdowns. 

Determining how metabolic problems contribute 

to disease and translating these findings into 

new therapies: Some diseases, like diabetes, stem 

almost entirely from metabolic dysfunction, while 

others, like cancer and Parkinson’s, are thought to be 

at least partially fueled by problems with metabolism. 

Determining how and why these problems occur will 

give scientists the insights needed to design new, more 

effective therapies for these tough-to-treat disorders. 

Investigating the impacts nutrition and 

metabolism can have across generations: Can 

our diets affect our children? Or their children? If so, 

can we ensure a healthier future by mitigating what 

we eat now? These are some of the questions that the 

Institute’s Department of Metabolism and Nutritional 

Programming hopes to answer. 


Cellular waste may supercharge immune cell function 

The immune cells that protect us from infection and cancer seek out a wide array of fuel sources to 

power their function — including some long thought to be cellular waste products. This research, 

led by VAI’s Dr. Russell Jones, lays the foundation for future personalized dietary recommendations 

designed to supercharge the immune system and augment therapies for cancer and other 

diseases. The findings also suggest that the function and survival of these critical cells 

are strongly influenced by the nutrients available in their environment — a key 

insight that offers a new understanding of how the immune system and 

metabolism interact. 1 

Metabolism expert Dr. Evan Lien joins VAI 

In summer 2022, cancer metabolism expert Dr. Evan Lien joined VAI’s 

growing faculty, an addition that further expands the Institute’s research 

into the underlying causes of cancer. As an assistant professor in the 

Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming, Lien 

investigates the intersection between diet and cancer, focusing on how 

dietary changes may impact tumor development and growth. Cancer 

cells have voracious appetites for nutrients and energy, which they use 

to fuel their uncontrolled growth and invade healthy tissue. Using 

cutting-edge techniques, Lien and his lab aim to uncover how variations 

in a person’s diet may influence tumor growth and metabolism. He then 

plans to translate his findings into actionable strategies for improving 

cancer treatment and response. 


1 

Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute (Jones), and an Allen 

Distinguished Investigator Award, a Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group advised grant of the 

Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (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). Research reported in this 

publication is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official 

views of the National Institutes of Health or other funding organizations. 

14

RESEARCH 

15 15

Translating impact from lab to clinic 

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE–STAND UP TO CANCER 

EPIGENETICS DREAM TEAM 

The Institute is home to the VAI–SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team, a multi-institutional, 

collaborative effort that brings together several of the world’s most respected 

research and clinical organizations to translate scientific discoveries into improved 

patient care. The goal is simple — get new, more effective cancer therapies to 

patients faster. 

INTERNATIONAL LINKED CLINICAL TRIALS PROGRAM 

The Cure Parkinson’s–Van Andel Institute International Linked Clinical Trials 

Program identifies potential new therapies for Parkinson’s from medications 

developed to treat other diseases that also show potential for impeding Parkinson’s 

disease progression. By doing so, iLCT aims to significantly cut the amount of 

time it takes for a potential treatment to move from the lab to clinical trials 

and, ultimately, to people with Parkinson’s. 

Combining two cancer medications may increase survival 

in relapsed myelodysplastic syndrome 

A pair of cancer medications that act as a one-two punch against 

malignant cells demonstrated increased survival in patients with 

relapsed/refractory myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) by an 

average of 10 months compared to historical controls, according 

to results from a phase 1/2 clinical trial published in Clinical 

Cancer Research. 

The trial was supported by the Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To Cancer 

Epigenetics Dream Team, a multi-institutional effort to move potential 

combination cancer treatments into clinical trials. 

Around 

the 

Institute 

Promising top-line results demonstrated for diabetes 

drug in Parkinson’s 

Top-line results from a clinical trial of the diabetes medication 

liraglutide in Parkinson’s disease indicate that liraglutide improves 

aspects of daily living and non-motor symptoms in people with 

Parkinson’s. The trial was conducted by researchers from Cedars 

Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, and co-funded by Van Andel Institute 

and Cure Parkinson’s through the International Linked Clinical 

Trials Program. 

In addition to improving overall average survival from five to 15 months, the 

trial findings suggest the effectiveness of combining medications that target the 

immunological and epigenetic drivers of cancers. 1 


1 

Research funding for this work was provided by Van Andel Institute through the Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To Cancer 

Epigenetics Dream Team. Stand Up To Cancer is a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. The clinicialtrials.gov 

identifier for this trial is: NCT02935361. 

16

RESEARCH 

Research by the numbers 

VAI–SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team 

4 Clinical trials ongoing, 

enrolling patients 

3 Clinical trials in correlative 

analyses, enrollment closed 

7 Clinical trials closed 

International Linked Clinical Trials 

17 Clinical trials ongoing 

15 Clinical trials completed over 

the life of the program 

* Numbers current as of 

December 2022 

15 17

Core Technologies & Services 

Van Andel Institute’s Core Technologies and Services offer a comprehensive range 

of advanced technologies and expertise to support and enhance research at the 

Institute and at collaborating organizations. Staffed by highly qualified professionals 

with an acute understanding of their respective fields, the Core team is committed 

to providing superior service and conducting exceptional science to further the 

Institute’s goal of improving human health through basic and translational research. 


VAI awarded $7.9 million to continue role as Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank 

Biorepository 

VAI’s Biorepository was awarded a $7.9 million, five-year contract from the National Cancer 

Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, to continue serving as the biorepository 

for the Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank study. The Institute has served as the Cancer 

Moonshot SM Biobank Biorepository since 2020, when it was awarded a two-year subcontract 

to develop the framework and protocols for this part of the initiative. 

In its role, VAI assembles and distributes kits to hospitals and medical centers around 

the U.S. for the collection of tumor tissue, blood and other biospecimens. These samples 

are then shipped to VAI for processing and either stored for later study or sent to other 

organizations for analysis. 

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

participants. These vital samples will help illuminate new insights into cancers of the blood, 

lungs, skin, prostate and gastrointestinal tract. 1 

VAI’s Mass Spectrometry Core to foster discovery 

Mass spectrometry is a powerful technique that reveals the different types of molecules 

in a sample and provides vital insights to scientists seeking to understand health and 

disease. To further empower research, in 2022, VAI expanded its Mass Spectrometry Core 

with additional state-of-the-art equipment and expert staff. This growth places our mass 

spectrometry infrastructure among the best in the U.S. and will drive discoveries for years 

to come. 

18 


1 

The project is wholly funded with federal funds from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, Department of 

Health and Human Services under Contract No. 75N91022D0008. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or 

policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products or organizations imply 

endorsement by the U.S. government.

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. 

RESEARCH 

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 differences that might 

contribute to disease onset and progression. To date, more than 

90 participants have donated blood to this groundbreaking project. 

The second project is the Brain Biobank, another first of its kind 

project 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 

As of year-end 2022, the MeNu Program has funded 12 pilot 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 

Around 

the 

Institute 

data that can lead to additional grant funding. The program has 

also granted four postdoctoral fellow awards. 

The approach is already bearing fruit: A groundbreaking study 

on 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 

technologies 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. 

Funding Acknowledgments 


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. 

1519

Van Andel Institute Principal Investigators 

Van Andel Institute for Research 

is home to a team of scientists 

dedicated to improving the health 

and enhancing the lives of current 

and future generations through 

groundbreaking biomedical research. 

LEADERSHIP 

Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon) 

Chief Scientific Officer; Director, Cancer Center 

Dr. Peter A. Jones is a pioneer in epigenetics, a growing field that explores how genes are 

regulated and provides new avenues for developing therapies for cancer and other diseases. 

His discoveries have helped usher in an entirely new class of drugs that have been approved 

to treat blood cancer and are being investigated in other tumor types. Jones is a past 

president of the American Association for Cancer Research, a Fellow of the AACR Academy, a 

Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the National Academy of Sciences 

and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. He is co-leader of the Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To 

Cancer Epigenetics Dream Team. 

Steven J. Triezenberg, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon) 

President and Dean, Van Andel Institute Graduate School; Professor, Department of Epigenetics 

Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg is the dean of Van Andel Institute Graduate School. His lab, which 

closed in 2018 after 31 years of productive research, explored the genetic and epigenetic 

control systems of viruses to understand how infections progress and to reveal new ways to 

stop them. His discoveries with herpes simplex viruses opened up new possibilities for antiviral 

drug development and revealed new insights into how human cells control gene expression. 

Bart Williams, Ph.D. 

Director, Core Technologies and Services; Professor 

Dr. Bart Williams studies the building blocks of bone growth on behalf of the millions 

suffering from diseases such as osteoporosis. He seeks new ways of altering cell signaling 

pathways to encourage healthy bone development and deter cancer spread to the skeleton. 

Dr. Williams also serves as director of VAI’s Core Technologies and Services, which provide 

technology and specialized expertise to Institute scientists and collaborators. 

20

Department of 

Epigenetics 

Virtually all 37.2 trillion cells in our bodies have the same 

DNA, the spiraling molecule that contains the genetic 

instructions required to make us who we are. But if every 

cell works from the same playbook, how and why does the 

human body have so many different types of cells? Why 

do some become skin cells while others become muscle 

cells, heart cells or brain cells? 

The answer is epigenetics — a complex set of processes 

that determine when and to what extent certain genetic 

instructions are carried out. Epigenetic processes are 

vital for healthy cellular function, and when things go 

awry, they can play major roles in disease. 

By investigating the epigenetic processes that finetune 

DNA, our scientists aim to pinpoint the origins of 

complex diseases and determine how they are impacted 

by our past and present, and how they influence future 

generations. 

Xiaobing Shi, Ph.D. 

Interim Chair and Professor 

Dr. Xiaobing Shi investigates the 

mechanisms that regulate DNA 

and gene expression to better 

understand how they impact 

cancer development. His research 

has led to the discovery of several new “readers” of 

epigenetic marks that may serve as targets for cancer 

treatment. 

Stephen B. Baylin, M.D. 

Director’s Scholar; Professor 

Dr. Stephen Baylin studies the 

body’s genetic control systems — 

called epigenetics — searching for 

vulnerabilities in cancer. Baylin 

is a pioneer in this field and was 

among the first to trace the epigenetic causes of cancer. 

His studies have led to new therapies for breast, lung 

and colorectal cancers, among others. He is co-leader of 

the Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To Cancer Epigenetics 

Dream Team, a Director’s Scholar at VAI and the Virginia 

and D.K. Ludwig Professor for Cancer Research at 

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns 

Hopkins University. 

Nick Burton, Ph.D. 

Assistant Professor 

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. 

Yvonne Fondufe- 

Mittendorf, Ph.D. 

Professor 

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. 

Peter W. Laird, Ph.D. 

Professor 

Dr. Peter W. Laird seeks a 

detailed understanding of 

the molecular foundations of 

cancer, with a particular focus 

on identifying crucial epigenetic 

alterations that convert otherwise healthy cells into 

cancer cells. He is an international leader in this effort 

and has helped design some of the world’s state-ofthe-art 

tools to aid in epigenetics research. Laird is 

also a principal investigator for the National Cancer 

Institute’s Genome Data Analysis Network and played a 

leadership role in The Cancer Genome Atlas, a multiinstitutional 

effort to molecularly map cancers. 

Gerd Pfeifer, Ph.D. 

Professor 

Dr. Gerd Pfeifer studies how 

the body switches genes on and 

off, a biological process called 

methylation that, when faulty, 

can lead to cancer or other 

diseases. His studies range from the effect of tobacco 

smoke on genetic and epigenetic systems to the 

discovery of a mechanism that may help protect the 

brain from neurodegeneration. 

RESEARCH 

1721


DEPARTMENT OF EPIGENETICS (CONTINUED) 

J. Andrew Pospisilik, Ph.D. 

Professor 

Dr. J. Andrew Pospisilik seeks 

to understand how we become 

whom we become, and how our 

disease susceptibility is defined 

from early on in life, even before 

conception, with the long-term goal of being able to 

predict a lifelong health outlook at birth. 

Scott Rothbart, Ph.D. 

Associate Professor 

Dr. Scott Rothbart studies the 

ways in which cells pack and 

unpack DNA. This elegant process 

twists and coils roughly two 

meters of unwound DNA into a 

space less than one-tenth the width of a human hair. 

Although this process is impressive, it is also subject to 

errors that can cause cancer and other disorders. 

Dr. Rothbart seeks new targets for drug development in 

this process. 

Hui Shen, Ph.D. 


Dr. Hui Shen develops new 

approaches to cancer prevention, 

detection and treatment by 

studying the interaction between 

genes and their control systems, 

called epigenetics. Her research focuses on women’s 

cancers, particularly ovarian cancer, and has shed new 

light on the underlying mechanisms of many other 

cancer types. 

22 

Piroska Szabó, Ph.D. 


Dr. Piroska Szabó studies the flow 

of epigenetic information from 

parents to their offspring, with a 

focus on how epigenetic markers 

are remodeled during egg and 

sperm production, and how these markers are rewritten 

after fertilization. These processes have profound 

implications for fertility and embryo development. 

Timothy J. Triche, Jr., Ph.D. 


As a statistician and 

computational biologist with an 

interest in clonal evolution and 

cancers of the blood, the work of 

Dr. Timothy J. Triche, Jr., focuses 

on wedding data-intensive molecular phenotyping to 

adaptive clinical trial designs in an effort to accelerate 

the pace of drug targeting and development in rare or 

refractory diseases. 

Hong Wen, Ph.D. 


Dr. Hong Wen investigates the 

molecular underpinnings of 

pediatric cancers, with a focus 

on how epigenetic dysregulation 

impacts gene expression and 

drives malignancy. Her work holds great promise 

for developing new, improved therapies for these 

devastating diseases. 

FEDERAL AND 

FOUNDATIONAL 

FUNDING IN 2022 

Awards breakdown 

New Awards in 2022: 

35 


Active Awards: 

133 


Active Award Funding: 

$166.1 million 

Figures current as of November 2022

Department of 

Neurodegenerative 

Science 

Worldwide, between 7 million and 10 million people 

have Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological 

condition marked by tremor, rigidity and the gradual 

loss of voluntary movement, along with a host of other 

symptoms, such as loss of sense of smell, cognitive 

issues, constipation, trouble sleeping and pain. 

Additionally, more than 30 million people have Alzheimer’s 

disease and related dementias. 

Currently, there are no cures and no effective ways 

to slow or stop disease progression in Parkinson’s 

and Alzheimer’s. Our scientists aim to change that 

by investigating the complex factors that give rise to 

neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, from 

genetics and epigenetics to aging, inflammation, and the 

structure of the brain itself — even the role of the gut and 

the immune system. 

With the exception of a small number of people whose 

Parkinson’s is directly linked to family genetic inheritance, 

most cases are sporadic, meaning they have no known 

cause. A growing body of evidence suggests that genetic 

and epigenetic predisposition coupled with environmental 

factors, such as exposure to certain inflammatory 

agents, may trigger the disease, which progresses for 

years or even decades before the onset of its signature 

movement-related symptoms. 

As the global population ages, the number of people 

with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s is expected to 

significantly increase in the coming years, underscoring 

the importance and urgency of developing improved 

treatment strategies. By leveraging discoveries made 

in VAI’s labs and collaborating with researchers around 

the world, our scientists are working to translate 

breakthroughs into life-changing new treatments. 

Darren Moore, Ph.D. 

Chair and Professor 

Dr. Darren Moore seeks new 

diagnostic and treatment 

approaches for Parkinson’s 

by investigating the inherited 

form of the disease, which 

comprises 5% to 10% of cases. He aims to translate the 

understanding of these genetic mutations into better 

treatments and new diagnostic tools for Parkinson’s, 

both inherited and non-inherited. Discoveries from 

Dr. Moore’s lab routinely elucidate the faulty molecular 

interactions that transform healthy, functioning neurons 

into diseased ones. 

José Brás, Ph.D. 


Dr. José Brás investigates how 

variations in our genes impact 

the onset and progression of 

neurodegenerative diseases such 

as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and 

dementia with Lewy bodies. Using 

cutting-edge technologies and bioinformatic approaches, 

he has identified new genetic mutations that impact 

disease risk. 

Lena Brundin, M.D., Ph.D. 

Professor 

As a psychiatrist and a scientist, 

Dr. Lena Brundin seeks ways to 

diagnose and treat depression 

and suicidality by studying 

inflammation of the nervous 

system. Her findings may lead to earlier interventions 

for depressive patients and to the development of a new 

class of antidepressants that targets the immune system. 

She also investigates how inflammatory mechanisms can 

damage nerve cells in Parkinson’s disease. 

Hong-yuan Chu, Ph.D. 


Dr. Hong-yuan Chu investigates 

how and why dopamineproducing 

cells die off in 

Parkinson’s, a process that 

underlies many of the disease’s 

hallmark symptoms. He plans to leverage this new 

knowledge to develop new, more precise ways to slow 

or stop disease progression. 

Gerhard Coetzee, Ph.D. 

Professor 

Dr. Gerhard Coetzee searches 

the human genome for 

minuscule changes that 

contribute to the onset, 

progression and drug resistance 

of many diseases, including cancer and Parkinson’s. 

His team deploys genome sequencing technologies 

and high-powered computational arrays to tease out 

patterns and interactions of markers and treatment 

targets from among the human genome’s more than 

three billion DNA base pairs. 

Rita Guerreiro, Ph.D. 


Dr. Rita Guerreiro parses 

the genetic variations that 

contribute to neurodegenerative 

diseases such as Parkinson’s, 

Alzheimer’s, dementia with 

Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. Her 

research has led to new insights into the genetic 

contributors to these diseases, which currently have 

no cure and no treatments that slow progression. 

RESEARCH 

1923


DEPARTMENT OF NEURODEGENERATIVE 

SCIENCE (CONTINUED) 

Michael Henderson, Ph.D. 


Dr. Michael Henderson 

investigates the causes of 

neurodegenerative diseases like 

Parkinson’s and dementia with 

Lewy bodies, and the factors 

that control disease progression. He hopes to translate 

his findings into new therapies that slow or stop this 

progression. 

Qiang Zhu, Ph.D. 


Dr. Qiang Zhu investigates 

the genetic, epigenetic and 

cellular factors that lead to 

neurodegenerative diseases 

such as ALS and frontotemporal 

dementia. To date, his work has revealed the complex 

mechanisms underlying the most common genetic cause 

for both of these diseases — an insight that has provided 

novel targets for the development of new therapies. 

Department of 

Cell Biology 

Our health, and consequently our lives, depend on the 

coordinated activities of our individual cells. Scientists 

in VAI’s Department of Cell Biology investigate how these 

cells grow, communicate, survive, assemble into tissues, 

respond to the environment and change with age. Their 

transformative work aims to yield new diagnostic and 

treatment strategies to improve the quality of life for 

people with cancer, bone diseases and rare disorders. 

Tao Yang, Ph.D. 

Interim Chair and Associate Professor 

Dr. Tao Yang studies the signaling 

systems that govern skeletal stem 

cells and the role they play in 

diseases such as osteoarthritis 

and osteoporosis. Bones are 

the body’s largest producer of adult stem cells, which 

mature into cartilage, fat or bone tissue — a process that 

falters with age. Dr. Yang seeks a better understanding 

of these systems in search of new treatments for 

degenerative bone disorders and other skeletal aging. 

Stephanie Grainger, Ph.D. 


Stem cells give rise to every cell 

type in the human body and play 

important roles in health and 

disease. Dr. Stephanie Grainger 

seeks to understand how these 

special cells develop, how they are maintained and how 

they can become cancerous, with the goal of developing 

new strategies for combating cancer. 

24 

Scott Jewell, Ph.D. 

Director, Pathology and Biorepository 

Core; Professor, Department of Cell 

Biology 

Dr. Scott Jewell is a nationally 

recognized expert in biobanking, 

which encompasses the 

management and storage of the crucial biological 

samples that facilitate research into health and disease. 

As director of VAI’s Pathology and Biorepository Core, 

Dr. Jewell oversees the Institute’s contributions to many

large-scale, collaborative projects designed to shed new 

light onto cancer, Parkinson’s, rare disorders and many 

other diseases. 

Brian Haab, Ph.D. 

Professor 

Dr. Brian Haab searches for new ways 

to diagnose and stratify pancreatic 

cancers based on the chemical 

fingerprints tumors leave behind. Part 

of the problem Dr. Haab aims to solve 

is that cancers often look and behave normally — until after 

they’ve started making people sick. Dr. Haab is sleuthing 

out clues to build a library of diagnostic tools that will help 

providers diagnose tumors earlier and optimize treatment. 

Matt Steensma, M.D. 


Dr. Matt Steensma studies the 

genetic and molecular factors that 

cause benign tumors to become 

cancers, in search of vulnerabilities 

that may be targeted for treatment. 

As a scientist at VAI and a practicing surgeon at Corewell 

Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, he is committed 

to translating scientific discoveries into treatments that 

improve patients’ lives. 

Bart Williams, Ph.D. 

Director, Core Technologies and Services; 

Professor 

Dr. Bart Williams studies the building 

blocks of bone growth on behalf of 

the millions suffering from diseases 

such as osteoporosis. He seeks 

new ways of altering cell signaling pathways to encourage 

healthy bone development and deter cancer spread to the 

skeleton. Dr. Williams also serves as director of VAI’s Core 

Technologies and Services, which provide technology 

and specialized expertise to Institute scientists and 

collaborators. 

Two VAI scientists named to elite Highly Cited 

Researchers list 

Dr. Russell Jones and Dr. Peter W. Laird were included in the 

2022 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list, a distinction 

marking them as leaders in their fields. The greatly anticipated 

annual list identifies researchers who demonstrated 

significant influence in their chosen area or areas of study 

through the publication of multiple highly cited papers during 

the last decade. Their names are drawn from the publications 

that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and publication 

year in the Web of Science citation index. 

Citations, or references to a scientist’s 

published work by other researchers, 

are universally considered a 

Around 

the 

Institute 

measure of influence and impact 

in the scientific community. Jones 

studies how diet and metabolism 

impact the immune system’s 

ability to fight infection and 

cancer. Laird investigates the 

role of epigenetics in cancer. 

Both were included on the 

2021 list. 

Craig Reynolds joins VAI as Vice President for 

Research Protections 

In fall 2022, VAI appointed Craig Reynolds as Vice President 

for Research Protections following a national search. Reynolds 

joined VAI from University of Michigan, where he most 

recently served as Assistant Vice President for Research- 

Sponsored Projects. He was hired during an exceptional 

period of growth in our organization. 

Since 2014, the Institute has recruited more than two dozen 

principal investigators who have established labs at VAI and 

expanded our research into new areas including metabolism 

and nutrition. 

RESEARCH 

25


Department of 

Structural Biology 

Imagine standing on the moon and having eyes so 

powerful that you can clearly watch a tennis match on 

Earth. Now imagine using that same visual power to see 

down to the molecular level, and you have structural 

biology — a field that allows scientists to study the 

smallest components of life in exquisite detail. 

Determining the shape of these critical molecules is 

vital for understanding their function in health and 

disease. Scientists in Van Andel Institute’s Department of 

Structural Biology harness state-of-the-art techniques to 

visualize molecules that may serve as treatment targets 

for cancer, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, 

infectious diseases and more. 

They’re revealing groundbreaking new insights into the 

most fundamental aspects of biology, from parsing the 

ways cells sense and respond to the environment to 

illuminating the intricacies of DNA replication. And they’re 

laying the foundations for new therapies by revealing how 

a drug molecule disables its target protein. 

Huilin Li, Ph.D. 


Dr. Huilin Li uses cryo-electron 

microscopy (cryo-EM) to reveal 

the most basic building blocks 

of DNA replication and other 

systems vital for life. He has 

been at the vanguard of cryo-EM for more than 

20 years, and his research has implications for some 

of the world’s most critical public health concerns, 

including tuberculosis, cancer, mental illness and 

many more. 

Juan Du, Ph.D. 


Dr. Juan Du seeks to 

understand the brain’s intricate 

communication systems using 

state-of-the-art structural 

biology approaches, such as 

cryo-EM. Her work has revealed new insights into 

critical processes such as temperature regulation 

in the human body, which has implications for 

development of new medications for neurological 

disorders. 

Wei Lü, Ph.D. 


Dr. Wei Lü is working to unravel 

how brain cells communicate 

with each other. Using techniques 

such as cryo-EM, his work 

has contributed to the field’s 

understanding of molecules that play crucial roles in the 

development and function of the nervous system. 

Evan Worden, Ph.D. 


Dr. Evan Worden leverages VAI’s 

powerful suite of cryo-electron 

microscopes to explore the 

complex molecular interactions 

that give rise to cancer. To date, 

his research has revealed novel insights into poorly 

understood regulatory elements in the genetic code 

and illuminated how aberrations in these processes can 

transform healthy cells into malignant ones. 

26

Department 

of Metabolism 

and Nutritional 

Programming 

For the human body to function properly, it must have the 

right amount of energy and resources in the right place at 

the right time. Every aspect of life is fueled by metabolism, 

a constant cascade of chemical reactions that ensure 

we have the energy to survive and thrive. But sometimes 

things go wrong, depriving our cells of the energy and 

resources required for healthy function. 

When energy production or distribution breaks down, the 

results can be catastrophic — diseases such as cancer, 

Parkinson’s and diabetes are all known to have varying 

degrees of metabolic involvement. 

Scientists in VAI’s Department of Metabolism and 

Nutritional Programming explore the intricate mechanics 

of cellular metabolism and their implications for health 

and in disease. Using cutting-edge techniques, they’re 

investigating metabolism’s interaction with other critical 

systems, such as the immune system, and revealing how 

environmental exposures and metabolic dysfunction 

contribute to diseases such as diabetes, autoimmunity, 

cancer and neurodegeneration. They’re also parsing 

the ripple effect that nutrition may have through the 

generations, exploring how our diets could lay the 

epigenetic foundations for the health of our descendants. 

Russell Jones, Ph.D. 


Dr. Russell Jones investigates 

metabolism at the cellular level 

to understand how it affects 

cell behavior and health, with a 

specific eye on cancer and the 

immune system. By revealing how cancer cells use 

metabolic processes to fuel their growth and spread, he 

hopes to develop new treatments that help patients by 

changing the standard of care for cancer. 

Connie Krawczyk, Ph.D. 


Dr. Connie Krawczyk investigates 

the links between metabolism, 

epigenetics and the immune 

system, with the goal of 

understanding how they work 

together to keep us healthy and, when things go wrong, 

to promote disease. 

Adelheid Lempradl, Ph.D. 


Dr. Adelheid Lempradl is 

investigating how the dietary 

choices and environmental 

exposures of parents 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. 

Evan Lien, Ph.D. 


Cancer cells have voracious 

appetites for nutrients and 

energy, which they use to 

grow and spread. Dr. Evan 

Lien searches for ways to 

deprive tumors of their fuel sources by exploring the 

molecular and biochemical interactions between diet, 

metabolism and cancer with the goal of developing 

breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies. 

Sara Nowinski, Ph.D. 


Dr. Sara Nowinski investigates 

how cells determine the 

amount of energy needed 

for everyday life and how 

they adjust to meet those 

requirements. Her research has uncovered new 

insights into the intricate balance between nutrient 

availability and cellular respiration — both critical 

components to maintaining health. 

RESEARCH 

27

A modern approach to graduate education 

Van Andel Institute Graduate School’s Ph.D. in 

molecular and cellular biology is a researchintensive, 

interdisciplinary program that prepares 

students for exceptional careers as independent 

investigators. The Graduate School combines 

extensive practical experience and rigorous 

scientific training with in-depth academic 

coursework and professional development — a 

powerful combination that gives our students a 

springboard for success. By the end of their studies 

at the Institute, students graduate not only with a 

Ph.D., but also with the tools required to build 

a strong career as a biomedical scientist and 

research leader. 

The Graduate School is housed directly across 

the street from the Institute’s main facility, next 

to Van Andel Institute for Education. The facilities 

are freshly renovated, featuring classrooms and 

workstations, quiet study places, shared locales to 

fuel interaction and collaboration, a reading room, 

and lounge and kitchen areas for students 

to recharge. 

The space is designed for change, allowing the 

Graduate School to comfortably grow into its next 

chapter while maintaining the characteristics that 

have long made it attractive to students: innovative 

approaches to teaching, intimate cohort sizes, 

access to cutting-edge technology and guidance by 

faculty mentors at the top of their research fields. 

28

How VAI supports early-career scientists 

The life-changing discoveries of tomorrow will be made by the scientific trainees of 

today. At Van Andel Institute, we are committed to supporting our outstanding roster 

of postdoctoral fellows as they pursue biomedical science breakthroughs and prepare 

for the next stages of their professional careers. 

Postdoctoral fellowships are a key part of an early-career scientist’s journey. 

Much like medical residencies, the postdoctoral period is a time for junior 

scientists who have just earned their Ph.D. to gain additional experience 

at the lab bench, further build their grant-writing and manuscript 

preparation skills and develop new perspectives on the business of 

scientific research and leadership. 

However, postdocs also face unique challenges, many of which have 

been exacerbated in recent years. These obstacles — which include 

relatively low pay, loss of stable work, lack of institutional support, 

among other factors — can stand in the way of promising young scientists 

and their careers. 

We believe we have a responsibility to address these barriers and empower the 

bright young scientists who will make breakthrough discoveries now and in the 

future. That’s why VAI offers a host of training opportunities bolstered by pay and 

benefits that have long been among the best in the U.S. for postdocs — a fact that 

augments our exceptional science to attract the best of the best to our labs. 

Around 

the 

Institute 

We have always believed that postdoctoral training should be a 

rewarding experience — both scientifically and professionally. Our 

generous donor community plays an important role in fostering an 

excellent research environment, a factor that makes the Institute 

a destination for early-career scientists. Together, we can 

ensure that the brilliant trainees of today become the scientific 

leaders of tomorrow. 

Learn more about how you can support VAI’s Postdoctoral Program by 

reaching out to Kate Frillmann at kate.frillmann@vai.org. 

RESEARCH 

In December 2022, VAI increased postdoctoral salaries, placing us among the 

best-paying research organizations for postdocs in the U.S. 

29

A modern approach to graduate education 

2022 HIGHLIGHTS Graduate School by the numbers 

Associate Dean joins Van Andel Institute Graduate School 

In July, the Graduate School welcomed Dr. Sarah Bodbyl as associate dean. In her 

new role, Dr. Bodbyl supports Institute faculty in curriculum and course design, 

implementation and review. She also leads professional development courses, 

supports graduate students applying for predoctoral fellowships, and oversees 

undergraduate and graduate internship opportunities. 

Before joining the Institute, Dr. Bodbyl served as a faculty developer for the Trefny 

Innovative Instruction Center at the Colorado School of Mines, a public research 

university in Golden, Colorado. She previously held several positions at Michigan 

State University in the Department of Teacher Education in the College of Education 

and at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. Dr. Bodbyl earned her undergraduate 

degree from Calvin University and a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from 

the University of Kansas. 

Origins of Cancer symposium honors Founding Research Director 

Dr. George Vande Woude 

VAI’s final Origins of Cancer symposium brought together students, scientists and 

medical professionals to honor the late Dr. George Vande Woude, the Institute’s 

founding research director and a groundbreaking scientist whose discovery of 

the MET oncogene revolutionized our understanding of cancer. The event, which 

has been organized by VAI graduate students since 2013, featured a distinguished 

roster of speakers who highlighted Dr. Vande Woude’s legacy as well as recent 

breakthroughs in the oncogene field. 

49 Students enrolled 

36 Students graduated (32 Ph.D.; 4 M.S.) 

1.4:1 Student:faculty ratio 

5.4 Years on average time to degree 

79% Cumulative graduation rate 

Numbers current as of Nov. 21, 2022 

30

VAI welcomes three new faculty 

VAI’s growth continued in 2022 with the addition of three new faculty members, whose groundbreaking work augmented our existing strengths and 

expanded our research into new areas. The Institute is now home to 35 labs and more than 500 staff — all dedicated to building a healthier future. 

Yvonne Fondufe-Mittendorf, Ph.D. 

Professor, Department of Epigenetics 

Dr. Fondufe-Mittendorf studies the relationship between environmental factors, such as arsenic in drinking water, and 

cancer risk. Her research has revealed how low-dose arsenic exposure transforms healthy cells into malignant ones — 

revelations that have significant public health implications. 

RESEARCH 

“Our environment has a profound impact on our health, down to the molecular level. My research addresses some 

of today’s health challenges by developing a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underpinning this critical 

relationship. VAI is a global center for leading-edge epigenetics research, and I am thrilled to be part of it.” 

Evan Lien, Ph.D. 

Assistant Professor, Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming 

Dr. Lien investigates the intersection between diet and cancer, with a focus on how 

dietary changes may impact tumor development and growth. He plans to translate 

his findings into actionable strategies for improving cancer treatment and response. 

“Diet is such an important determinant of human health, but there is still so much 

we do not understand about the molecular and biochemical interactions between 

nutrition and cancer progression. I am thrilled to join the Department of Metabolism 

and Nutritional Programming at VAI, where we will have the extensive expertise and 

state-of-the-art resources to answer these questions.” 

Around 

the 

Institute 

Qiang Zhu, Ph.D. 

Assistant Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science 

Dr. Zhu studies two devastating neurodegenerative diseases: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal 

dementia (FTD). He is hopeful that his work, which focuses on repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene, will uncover new 

treatment targets and biomarkers that will aid scientists and physicians in studying and tracking disease progression. His 

efforts have already led to a clinical trial for treating specific subtypes of ALS and FTD. 

“The lack of therapies that impede progression of ALS and FTD is a major gap in patient care. I’m heartened that my 

research to date has contributed to clinical exploration of potential treatments, and am excited to expand my efforts 

at VAI. The Institute has exceptional research facilities and a highly supportive, collaborative scientific environment. 

I look forward to teaming up with my colleagues to achieve our shared goal — new, more effective treatments for 

neurodegenerative diseases.” 

2731


for Education 

WE BELIEVE THAT HOPE FOR TOMORROW LIVES IN THE STUDENTS OF 

TODAY. BY BRINGING THE SPIRIT OF RESEARCH INTO EDUCATION, 

WE CAN BUILD CLASSROOMS WHERE CURIOSITY, CREATIVITY 

AND CRITICAL THINKING THRIVE.

K-12 Education 

Van Andel Institute for Education is dedicated to bringing the spirit of research into classrooms and 

building spaces where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive. Our educators develop inquiry-based 

approaches for K–12 education to help teachers, administrators and parents support the next generation 

of problem solvers. These programs are designed to engage students at an intrinsic level while delivering 

innovative strategies for teachers, with a shared goal of promoting high-quality education for all. Students 

participate in authentic learning experiences that allow them to think critically and challenge themselves, 

all while having a healthy dose of fun. Our educators are committed to making the classroom a place where 

students and teachers want to be. 


FOR SCHOOLS 

Professional Development 

The educational landscape is ever shifting, and 

VAI is here to help educators meet new challenges 

and elevate their instructional practices. Flex PD 

is a comprehensive and affordable professional 

development program designed to meet the needs 

of all teachers. It combines immersive workshops, 

learning sessions and ongoing coaching to create 

customized learning paths for teachers and 

administrators. In 2022, VAI offered Flex PD solutions 

to more than 25 schools and provided professional 

development services to more than 2,300 educators. 

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 like socialemotional 

and project-based learning in their schools. 

Similarly, VAI’s Admin Guides give administrators 

free, comprehensive research and recommendations 

for key topics such as school improvement planning, 

teacher morale and more. 

VAI also hosted Science on the Grand: A STEAM 

Conference for Inquiry-based Educators. Over two 

days, education experts and classroom teachers 

gathered to unleash research-based, classroomtested 

content — all designed to support educators in 

increasing inquiry-based instruction. The conference 

served more than 100 educators and focused on 

creating a classroom that supports STEAM instruction 

while nurturing educators’ curiosity for personal 

growth and enjoyment. 

Instructional Tools 

Project-based learning immerses students in authentic 

learning experiences that engage the heart, hands and 

minds of students. Yet, developing these projects can 

be an intimidating — and time-consuming — prospect 

for educators. This is where Blue Apple comes in. VAI 

offers Blue Apple projects based on an internationally 

recognized gold standard, delivering lesson plans, 

online resources, cross-curricular mini-lessons and 

a host of other tools that make it easier for teachers 

to get started right away. VAI shipped 324 Blue Apple 

projects to teachers in the 2021–22 school year, an 

increase of 16% over the previous year. 

VAI shipped 324 Blue Apple projects to teachers in the 

2021–22 school year, an increase of 16% over the previous year. 

34

K–12 EDUCATION 

35

K-12 Education 

Of course, not all teachers are ready to implement full project-based learning units, 

so VAI supports all teachers by helping them infuse higher-level thinking skills into 

activities they are likely already doing. Blue Apple Timely Topics address relevant 

content with a series of free, 15-minute mini-lessons that are easy-to-implement for 

teachers and highly motivating for students. The mini-lessons, which include topics 

like “Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month” and “Classroom Community,” have been 

downloaded more than 5,000 times by educators in over 40 countries. 

Field Trips & More 

Science doesn’t happen only in the classroom — some of the best learning 

experiences come from stepping out into the real world. VAI Field Trips immerse 

students and teachers in thinking and acting like scientists. Students get the 

opportunity to conduct unique, grade-specific investigations and participate in 

hands-on discovery. There are more than 40 different programs available, each 

uniquely designed to provide an engaging and educational experience. Coming out 

of the pandemic, teachers have been particularly interested in field trips. VAI 

hosted more than 2,500 students for field trips in 2022, an increase of 50% over 

the previous year. 

Thousands of students have visited our classrooms in downtown Grand Rapids over 

the years, but our intrepid team of educators also visit Michigan communities and 

beyond through Curiosity on Wheels. This customizable event brings hands-on, funfilled 

STEM investigations to students in their own community. Curiosity on Wheels 

delivers experiences that are as memorable as they are educational, creating lively 

events for students, teachers and families. 

High school students with an interest in science have the opportunity to collaborate 

with VAI researchers with VAI’s High School Journal Club. This intensive and 

impactful program brings students, teachers and VAI scientists together to engage 

in scientific discourse. Students emulate the practice of VAI scientists, collaborating, 

reading, analyzing and presenting scientific journal articles in formats easily applied 

to the classroom. 

FOR FAMILIES 

Summer Camps 

Science doesn’t disappear when summer vacation starts. Through our VAI Summer 

Camps, students can attend unique camps celebrating science, engineering and 

robotics. The demand for these weeklong, affordable camps was at an all-time high, 

so VAI doubled up on many camp offerings, meeting with a total of 305 students 

in 2022 compared to 168 in 2021! Camp themes included fossils, space exploration, 

learning about the Grand River ecosystem, renewable energy, and many more. 

Afterschool Cohort 

For students looking to stay engaged beyond classes, the Afterschool Cohort 

program encourages students to think and act like scientists and engineers. They 

conduct investigations using real scientific tools, engaging with science at an 

intrinsic level. Topics include biodiversity, human health and human innovation. Best 

of all? There is no cost to participate in the program — tuition is covered by VAI’s 

generous donors. 

VAI hosted more than 2,500 students for field trips in 2022, 

an increase of 50% over the previous year. 

36

K–12 EDUCATION 

37

Events & 

Philanthropy 

THROUGH DONATIONS, SPONSORSHIPS AND A SHARED 

PASSION FOR THE FUTURE, VAI’S COMMUNITY OF SUPPORTERS 

RAISES MILLIONS TO FUEL A BETTER TOMORROW.

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. 

40 

(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR 

LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) 

TIM GORTSEMA FROM GRAND 

RAPIDS GRIFFINS & CAROL 

VAN ANDEL; CAROL VAN ANDEL 

GREETS ATTENDEES; BRADEN 

GRAHAM FROM BLUEWATER 

TECHNOLOGIES & 

CAROL VAN ANDEL; JILL 

BIELEMA & CAROL VAN ANDEL; 

MICHAEL & LYNETTE ELLIS & 

CAROL VAN ANDEL; MILIND 

PANT FROM AMWAY & 

CAROL VAN ANDEL

Winterfest 

Celebration 

Grand Rapids’ winter extravaganza 

returned for the 17th year, combining 

food, cocktails and generosity to support 

Parkinson’s disease research. Attendees 

gathered at Cascade Hills Country Club to 

enjoy dinner, live musical entertainment 

and a paddle raise auction. Guests 

saw the direct impact of their support 

as Parkinson’s disease advocates and 

scientists shared their stories, bringing 

a personal spotlight to the value of 

scientific exploration. 

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Buist 

Electric. 

EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY 

(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR LEFT, 

GOING CLOCKWISE) 

DAVID VAN ANDEL; CAROL VAN ANDEL 

TALKS WITH JACK ROMENCE; EVENT 

CO-CHAIRS GEORGE SHARPE JR. & 

MISSY SHARPE DELIVER REMARKS 

41

Design & Discovery 

Merging the inspiration of modernist 

furniture design with the elegant 

silhouettes and colors of contemporary 

fashion, this event inspired the 

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 high-end 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. 

42 

(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) 

FRANCO BIANCHI; LEIGH’S MODEL SHOWS OFF THE 

LATEST FASHION; REBECCA WIERDA & CAROL 

VAN ANDEL; MILLER GANAPINI & PAOLO NICOLAI; 

VEHICLES ON DISPLAY AT HAWORTH HEADQUARTERS

JBoard 

Mixer 

VAI’s JBoard Ambassadors 

are a group of vibrant 

young professionals who 

seek to support the mission 

of VAI, working to create 

a healthier tomorrow for 

the next generation. Every 

year, Ambassadors gather 

for a JBoard-only mixer, 

the perfect opportunity to 

discuss ideas, passions and 

goals for the future — all 

while enjoying delicious food 

and cocktails. 




JBOARD CO-CHAIRS RACHEL MRAZ 

& BLAKE CRABB; GUESTS ENJOY 

REFRESHMENTS; GUESTS ENJOYING 

THE MIXER 

43

Around the World 

Hosted by VAI’s 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, creativity and critical thinking 

of attendees. All proceeds support the 

Institute’s K–12 education programs. 

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Lake 

Michigan Credit Union. 

44 



BEN TALSMA & TERRA 

TARANGO; CAROL VAN ANDEL 

& VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE FOR 

EDUCATION GUESTS; JBOARD 

CO-CHAIRS RACHEL MRAZ 

& BLAKE CRABB; GUESTS 

NETWORKING

VAI Golf 

Outing 

Golfers returned to West Olive for the 

15th annual VAI Golf Outing. Hosted 

at the stunning Wuskowhan Players 

Club, the event brought together 

community members, businesses and 

local organizations for an afternoon filled 

with golf, fun and research updates. The 

event featured a silent auction, a drone 

drop raffle, lunch and dinner — along 

with remarks from Hope College Football 

Coach Peter Stuursma. 

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, The 

Timothy Long and William Mackay Group 

of Merrill Lynch. 




KURT HASSBERGER, 

DAVID VAN ANDEL & JACK DOLES; 

DINA MCKNIGHT-DARGIS, 

BETH VANPORTFLIET, 

CAROL VAN ANDEL & MARCY ROTH; 

PLAYERS WARM UP AT THE 

DRIVING RANGE; HOPE COLLEGE 

FOOTBALL COACH PETER 

STUURSMA 

45

Couture for a Cure 

Michigan’s premier fashion event returned 

for another evening full of glamour, fun and 

philanthropy. The 17th annual spectacular 

was one to remember, featuring a one-ofa-kind 

fashion show by Leigh’s, along with a 

special presentation from world-renowned 

Italian brand Max Mara. Rarely exhibited 

outside their famous Milan shows, Max 

Mara treated guests to a unique look at their 

Fall/Winter 2022 Collection. In addition 

to stunning glamour from Max Mara and 

Leigh’s, the runway showcased new looks 

from Artistry, many of which were available 

for guests at the beauty bar. A strolling 

cocktail hour and silent auction allowed 

attendees to mingle, while those looking to 

upgrade their wardrobe visited a unique 

Max Mara pop-up shopping experience. 

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Amway, 

and our Presenting Sponsors, Leigh’s and 

Max Mara. 

46



GOING CLOCKWISE) LEIGH’S 

MODELS SHOW OFF THE LATEST 

LOOKS; CAROL VAN ANDEL; MAX 

MARA SHOPPING EXPERIENCE; 

REBECCA WIERDA, CAROL 

VAN ANDEL & KELLI TEMPLETON; 

LEIGH’S MODELS ON THE 

RUNWAY; DJ AB ENTERTAINS 

DANCING GUESTS 

47

Hope on the Hill & The Chocolate Factory 

Returning for the 22nd year, Hope 

on the Hill was a sweet celebration 

of the heroes looking for the golden 

ticket against cancer, Parkinson’s and 

other diseases. The whimsical evening 

featured delectable cuisine and curious 

concoctions, including Gobstopper 

Gimlets and Chocolate River Cocktails. 

Guests, many dressed in their own 

fantastic outfits, were treated to worldclass 

entertainment by improv artist and 

magician Michael Carbonaro, star and 

executive producer of the truTV series 

“The Carbonaro Effect.” 

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Fifth 

Third Private Bank. 

48 



JIM ZWIERS, CAROL VAN ANDEL, 

JANE ZWIERS & DAVID VAN ANDEL; 

MICHAEL CARBONARO (RIGHT) 

ENTERTAINS THE AUDIENCE; GUESTS 

ARRIVE AT HOPE ON THE HILL

A Conversation About Health & The 

Environment — Hosted by Carol Van Andel 

The environment in which we live, 

work and play impacts our health — 

and the health of future generations 

— in countless ways. A Conversation 

About Health and the Environment — 

Hosted by Carol Van Andel highlighted 

groundbreaking research into these 

intricate connections and how they may 

be leveraged for a healthier tomorrow. 

Attendees heard from VAI scientists 

Dr. Yvonne Fondufe-Mittendorf, who 

studies the link between cancer and 

toxicants, and Dr. Heidi Lempradl, who 

investigates how the effects of certain 

chemical exposures could ripple through 

generations. 


Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Howard 

Miller Company. 



CAROL VAN ANDEL; 

DR. YVONNE FONDUFE- 

MITTENDORF; ATTENDEE 

ASKS A QUESTION; 

DR. HEIDI LEMPRADL 

49

Signature special event sponsors 

We are grateful to have extraordinarily dedicated signature event sponsors. Thank you for partnering with us and supporting 

our mission throughout the year. 

Accretive Company, Inc 

Acrisure 

Al & Robin Koop Foundation 

John & Mary Amell 

Amway 

Andy J. Egan Co., Inc. 

Aon 

Rob & Dawn Arnoys 

Autocam Medical 

Barnes & Thornburg LLP 

Bayside Capital 

John & Ginny Baysore 

The Bengtson Center for Aesthetics 

& Plastic Surgery 

Bill & Amy Bennett 

Jeff & Meg Bennett 

Betz Industries 

Franco & Alessandra Bianchi 

Dave & Jill Bielema 

Bluewater Technologies 

Chuck & Christine Boelkins 

Bradley Company/Brad & Katie 

Toothaker/Chip Bowling 

The Brooks Family 

Buist Electric 

Calamos Investments LLC. 

Jerry & Suzanne Callahan 

Calvin University School of Health 

Cancer & Hematology Centers of 

Western Michigan, P.C. 

Cheeky Strut 

Consumers Credit Union 

Ryan & Jessica Cook 

Cornerstone 

Blake Crabb 

Mimi Cummings 

Tom & Tracy Curran 

Custer Inc. 

CWD Real Estate 

Davenport University 

David & Carol Van Andel Family 

Foundation 

Deloitte 

Dominique & Julie DeNooyer/DeNooyer 

Chevrolet/Bob & Colette DeNooyer 

Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh 

Discovery Financial/David & Angela 

Muilenberg 

Dan & Vicki Distin 

John Dykema & Michele Maly-Dykema 

The Edgar & Elsa Prince Foundation 

Eenhoorn 

Eileen DeVries Family Foundation 

Element Four 

Ellis Parking Co. 

Erhardt Construction 

Ernst & Young LLP 

Eurest 

Fifth Third Private Bank 

First National Bank of Michigan 

Gallagher Insurance 

The George & Evelyn on 8th 

Daniel & Magee Gordon 

Grand Rapids Christian Schools 

Grand Valley State University 

Martin & Peggy Greydanus 

Patti Griswold 

Jana Hall 

Hansen/Balk Steel Treating Co. 

Jeff & Ann Harten 

Harvey Automotive 

Kurt & Madelon Hassberger 

Paul & Sheryl Haverkate 

HB Wealth Management 

The Hilldore Group — Baird 

Hines Corporation 

Dave & Donna Hockstra 

Holland Hospital 

Hope College 

Howard Miller Company 

J.C. Huizenga 

Humphries Development 

Ben & Molly Hunting 

ICN Foundation 

iHeart Media 

Inontime 

Patrick & Jasmine Irish 

Jandernoa Foundation 

Jeffery Roberts Design 

John Hancock Financial 

Matt & Sarah Jones 

Dr. Peter & Veronica Jones 

Craig & Debra Kinney 

Margaret Klopcic 

KM Online Marketing 

Josh & Connie Kooistra 

Kool Auto Group 

Blake & Mary Krueger 

John & Katie Kuiper 

Lake Michigan Credit Union 

Ray & Jeannine Lanning 

Leigh’s 

Life EMS Ambulance 

Loomis, Sayles & Company 

Gary & Vicky Ludema 

M&J Foundation & F45 Holland & 

Grand Haven 

Macatawa Bank 

Making the Turn Against Parkinson’s 

Max Mara 

Mayflower Designs, Electrical Contractor 

& Residential Builder 

McAlvey Merchant & Associates 

McShane & Bowie, PLC 

Meijer 

The Meijer Foundation 

Mercantile Bank 

Merrill Lynch — Timothy Long & William 

Mackay 

Michigan State University College of 

Human Medicine 

Midwest Capital 

Mike & Rachel Mraz 

MSU College of Human Medicine 

50

Paul & Anne Nemschoff 

New Holland Brewing Co. 

Paolo Nicolai 

Nicolai North America 

Northern Jet Management 

NPF Investment Advisors 

NVINT 

Owen Ames Kimball Co. 

P.L. Capital 

Padnos 

Pageworks 

Pediatric Dental Specialists of West 

Michigan 

Lee & Alexandra Perez 

Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation 

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health 

Services 

Pioneer Construction 

Pitsch Companies 

Plastic Surgery Associates/Grand 

Pearl Spa 

Shawn & Sarah Platt 

Priority Health 

Progressive AE 

Quality Air Service Inc. 

Regal Financial Group 

Rev Foundation 

Brenda Rinks 

Rockford Construction 

Eve Rogus & Paul Becker in memory of 

Clementine (Teenie) Rogus 

RoMan Manufacturing 

John & Therese Rowerdink 

Rowerdink Inc. 

Rycenga Building Group 

Schupan 

Scott Group Studio 

Secrest Wardle 

Tony & Dawn Semple 

Sharpe 

SIBSCO 

Southport Trucking 

Spectrum Health 

Rob & Susan Stafford 

Steelcase Inc. 

Stephen Klotz Family Foundation 

The Steve & Amy Van Andel Foundation 

Tom & Mary Stuit 

Summit Point Roofing 

Duke Suwyn 

Taconic Charitable Foundation 

Thomas S. Fox Family 

Trans-Matic Mfg. Co. Inc. 

Dr. Steve & Laura Triezenberg 

Truscott Rossman Group 

University of Michigan Health-West 

Sharon Van Dellen 

Van Eerden Foodservice 

Dave & Beth VanPorfliet 

Mike & Michelle VanDyke 

Michael & Gayle VanGessel 

Dr. Bob & Grace VanTimmeren 

Christian & Kara VerMeulen 

Vicky Weller 

Visbeen Architects Inc. 

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP 

Wells Fargo 

West Michigan Woman 

Wicked Pro 

Williams Kitchen & Bath 

Greg & Meg Willit 

Robert & Karen Wiltz 

Wolverine Worldwide 

Woodways International 

Jim & Jane Zwiers 


51

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 discoveries. The 

city hadn’t 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. 

He 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 

52


53

Positivity & perseverance: Richard Cebelak’s journey 

with Parkinson’s disease 

Parkinson’s disease is a challenging 

diagnosis. It requires adjustments to 

day-to-day life and changes in regular 

habits. But for Richard Cebelak, 

Parkinson’s would not get him out of 

his routine. 

When Richard was diagnosed in 2015, 

he and his wife, Patricia, knew it 

would be a long journey they would 

undertake as one. 

“Richard’s positive attitude meant 

we would take one step at a time 

together,” Patricia said. “At that point, 

we understood how fragile life was, 

and we would deal with it hand in hand.” 

“You hear about the 

scientists working to 

make the world better 

and get to talk to them 

and learn from them. 

It really gives 

you hope.” 

— Patricia Cebelak 

For Richard, “dealing with it” meant 

staying active. In addition to following 

medical guidance for treatment, 

Richard and Patricia went to exercise 

classes, spent time with friends, met 

other people with Parkinson’s and 

volunteered when able. Grand Rapids 

itself also had a role to play. 

“Living in the area, I knew of people 

who came from Petoskey, Battle Creek, 

Kalamazoo — all to visit the facilities 

that exist in our own backyard. Being 

in this medical community, it gave us 

the support we needed,” Patricia said. 

After adjusting to life with Parkinson’s, 

Richard and Patricia regularly 

attended VAI’s Winterfest Celebration, 

which raises funds to support 

Parkinson’s research at the Institute. 

They found it the perfect opportunity 

to learn about the disease directly 

from scientists, something that was 

more impactful than the literature. 

“You hear about the scientists working 

to make the world better and get to 

talk to them and learn from them. It 

really gives you hope,” Patricia said. 

Most importantly for them, they were 

supporting a local cause with global 

impact: This wasn’t an institute in 

another country, Patricia said. The 

research is happening right in their 

own backyard. 

“Seeing the Van Andel family be 

involved, meeting the researchers, 

talking with other supporters — it 

built a connection of trust with the 

Institute that made us believers in 

the impact a place like this can have,” 

Patricia said. 

Richard wanted to change the 

perception of Parkinson’s, making it 

a point to maintain his daily errands, 

keep habits and, most importantly, 

remain out in the community. For 

him, this was the opportunity to 

show that good things can come from 

challenges, Patricia said, but it was 

also his way of tackling problems. You 

could never slow Richard down, and 

his friends knew that: They took him 

ice fishing in 2021 — five years after 

his initial diagnosis. 

“That was Richard, the one whose 

friends would build a special rig 

to help him go ice fishing with 

Parkinson’s disease, the one who 

would go on his solo trips to the lake 

every Sunday,” Patricia said. “The 

disease wouldn’t slow him down, and 

it was inspiring to get to spend so 

much time with him doing what he 

liked to do.” 

Richard stuck to his routine to the 

very end, going on a fishing trip on 

the day of his passing in June 2021. His 

legacy lives on in the fond memories 

of friends and family, and through 

the impact he and Patricia have made 

through their support of research. 

54


RICHARD CEBELAK; PATRICIA & RICHARD CEBELAK 

55

From Purple Community to JBoard Ambassador 

During an eighth-grade class project on 

chemotherapy, Sydney Vucelich stumbled onto 

Van Andel Institute’s website. She thought her work 

would benefit from the perspective of an expert 

from the community. After exchanging a few emails, 

Sydney found herself visiting Medical Mile to meet 

with renowned cancer scientist and VAI Founding 

Research Director, the late Dr. George Vande Woude. 

“Looking back, I really can’t believe it — a successful, 

internationally recognized scientist sat down with 

three eighth graders to answer our questions about 

chemotherapy,” Sydney said. 

The meeting left such an impression that Sydney knew 

she had to get involved. That’s when she learned about 

VAI Purple Community and decided it was the perfect 

opportunity. Sydney and her friends Allie Wittenbach, 

Isabella Fiorenzo and Mariah Otolski organized a track 

team fundraiser, baking cookies and selling purple 

T-shirts to support the cause. It was her first time 

volunteering, and it was a success: The event raised 

more than $5,000 to support research at the Institute. 

Her dedication to Purple Community continued during 

her time at Forest Hills Central High School, where 

Sydney and her friends organized Purple Games and 

other fundraising events throughout the year, raising 

more than $100,000 by the time she graduated. For 

Sydney, the value went beyond the funds. The real 

benefit came from bringing VAI’s mission to the 

community. Sydney and her classmates received the 

Carol Van Andel Angel of Excellence Award in 2014 for 

their efforts. 

“My grandmother was diagnosed 

with lung cancer, and my 

grandfather with pancreatic cancer. 

So, it wasn’t just about raising 

money. It was about working to 

change the future for the better.” 

— Sydney Vucelich 

After graduation, Sydney spent time away from VAI, 

Grand Rapids and Purple Community, but the mission 

remained present. 

“My grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer, and 

my grandfather with pancreatic cancer. So, it wasn’t just 

about raising money. It was about working to change 

the future for the better,” she said. 

When she returned home, Sydney joined the JBoard, 

VAI’s network of young professionals. She was joined 

by her husband, Samuel, who had his own personal 

connection to the cause. 

“My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 

about 15 years ago, and that experience is something 

that makes you want to do more,” Samuel said. “Hearing 

from Sydney about VAI and attending JBoard events 

made me realize this is a place where we can make 

an impact.” 

For Sydney, engaging with VAI along with her husband 

deepened her connection to the Institute while 

strengthening their relationship. They find it to be a 

perfect cause, one that connects their family history, 

personal interests and passion to create a better future. 

The JBoard has also connected them to the Grand 

Rapids community, bringing together other young 

professionals with shared interests. This was an 

unexpected benefit, Samuel said, but one that has made 

it clear the Institute is the right place for them. 

“At so many networking events, people have a selfcentered 

perspective, but that does not happen 

here,” Samuel said. “No matter who you talk to at a 

VAI or JBoard event, they’re there for the science, the 

researchers, the cause — and the conversation always 

hinges on how we can make a greater impact together.” 

Sydney and Samuel see JBoard, and their involvement 

with VAI as a whole, as a lifelong relationship. They aim 

to continue supporting the Institute, attending events 

and following along with its mission. It might even carry 

into the next generation. 

“Just the other day, my sister was telling me that she 

would like to get involved with the Institute, and I’m also 

working on getting more of Samuel’s side of the family 

into things,” Sydney said. “Hopefully, one day my kids 

can organize their own Purple Community events.” 

To learn more about VAI’s JBoard Ambassadors visit 

vai.org/JBoard. 

56


SAMUEL & SYDNEY VUCELICH 

4957

Running for family & research 

Nearly 40,000 athletes crowd the streets of 

Chicago every year to compete in the city’s historic 

marathon. Many see it as a physical challenge, 

pushing themselves to the limit alongside an iconic 

skyline. For George Sharpe Jr., the marathon is not 

just about running — it’s a personal, emotional and 

spiritual challenge. 

Sharpe Jr. always had a passion for medical research and 

philanthropy, but the importance of getting involved was 

elevated in 2009, when his father, George Sharpe Sr., 

was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The diagnosis 

brought them closer together. 

“We face the challenges together, and we’ve imagined 

ways in which we can turn this challenge into action 

to make a lasting contribution to the Parkinson’s 

community,” Sharpe Jr. said. 

Those contributions are broad and impactful: Sharpe 

Jr. and his wife, Missy, are co-chairs of VAI’s Winterfest 

committee, leading the planning for Grand Rapids’ 

winter extravaganza focused on supporting Parkinson’s 

research. 

The efforts don’t stop there. In 2017 and 2019, Sharpe 

Jr. ran the Chicago Marathon as part of VAI’s Marathon 

Team, raising money for the Institute’s research efforts. 

He ran again in 2022, this time alongside his lifelong 

friend Joe Brennan. Their friendship dates back 35 

years, to grade school and early college years. Their 

run became a record-breaking fundraising event: 

Sharpe Jr. raised more than $26,000 for Parkinson’s 

research, the highest total achieved by a VAI marathon 

runner. 

The Sharpe family’s commitment to research, 

discovery and hope is unwavering. Their ongoing 

support continues to fund research to help us better 

understand, diagnose and treat Parkinson’s disease. 

“It makes a difference knowing that such 

groundbreaking and potentially life-altering research 

is happening in our own backyard,” Sharpe Jr. said. “We 

know the research happening today might not have 

a direct impact on our lives or our loved ones, but it 

might one day help another family with hopes, dreams 

and memories like our own.” 

“It makes a difference knowing that such groundbreaking and potentially life-altering 

research is happening in our own backyard. We know the research happening today might 

not have a direct impact on our lives or our loved ones, but it might one day help another 

family with hopes, dreams and memories like our own.” 

— George Sharpe Jr. 

58


51 59

Philanthropy 

Circle of Hope Anonymous (4) 

The Jay and Betty Van Andel Circle of Hope 

recognizes those who have included 

Van Andel Institute in their will, trust or other 

estate plans. Through our acknowledgment of 

and gratitude to these exceptional people, we 

hope that their generosity will inspire others. 

(Members as of Dec. 1, 2022) 

Gasper Amodeo* 

Vivian Anderson* 

Stanley* & Blanche* Ash 

Kevin & Michelle Bassett 

Philip* & Shirley Battershall 

John* & Nancy Batts 

Frederick & Julie* Bogaert 

John* & Sharon* Bouma 

Dr. Jim & Martie Bultman 


William & Marilyn 

Crawford 

Dr. Glenn & Patrice 

Deibert 

Barbara Erhards 

J. Scott Grill* 

Jana Hall 

Joan Hammersmith* 

Terry & Jacklyn Hickman 

Arthur J. Jabury* 

Maryanna Johnson 

Dennis* & Joanne* 

Kozarek 

Reneé Kuipers* 

Kenneth Larm 

Timothy & Kimberly Long 

Donald* & Kathleen Maine 

Jamie Mills & James Nichols 

LG* & Helen* Myers 

Robert* & Lorraine* Nyhoff 

Steven & Melissa Ozinga 

Jill & Ken Peirce 

Jone Phillips* 

Donna Rosa 

Ronald & Mary Rutkowski 

Alan Ryan* 

Tom & Barb Shaw 

Ralph Siegel* 

George Sietsema* 

Eva Sonneville* 

Alvin* & Hylda* Tuuk 

John Van Fossen 

John J. Visser* 

Greta Wellington* 

Carol Winton* 

John Wisneski* 

*Indicates deceased 

Circle of Hope member 

By the numbers 

VAI Operating Revenues 

2% 3% 

VAI Operating Expenses 

4% 

Designated Gifts | $4,397K Total 

$1,936K Unrestricted 

64% 

31% 

$73,000K 

$35,000K 

$4,000K 

$2,400K 

Investment 

return utilized 

Grant & contract 

revenue 

Contributions 

Other 

revenues 

30% 

66% 

$77,800K 

Research 

Management, 

$35,500K 

general & other 

$5,000K Education 

44% 

44% 

3% 

26% 

26% 

21% 

21% 

3% 

3% 

3% 

3% 

$1,127K 

$1,936K 

$911K 

$1,127K 

$146K 

$911K 

$140K 

$146K 

$137K 

$140K 

$137K 

Cancer 

Unrestricted 


Cancer 

Education 


Internship Program 

Education 

Other* 

Internship Program 

Other* 

60 

* INCLUDES 3% SCIENTIFIC EVENT SPONSORSHIPS 

& METABOLISM

Institute Leadership Team 


Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 

David Van Andel played a prominent role in bringing professional hockey 

back to Grand Rapids in 1996. He is co-owner and chairman of the twotime 

Calder Cup champion Griffins. 

Van Andel is Chairman and CEO of Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids. 

He is also an entrepreneur involved in several other business interests in 

the natural and life science products industries. He currently serves as 

a member of Amway’s Board of Directors on its Executive, Governance 

and Audit committees. He is also active in numerous business, cultural 

and community organizations, including The Right Place Economic 

Development Agency and The Economic Club of Grand Rapids. 

Van Andel was born and raised in Grand Rapids, and he graduated from 

Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He and his wife, Carol, have four 

children and three grandchildren. 


Chief Scientific Officer 

Jerry Callahan, Ph.D., MBA 

Chief Strategic Officer 

Thomas R. Curran, Jr., J.D. 

General Counsel 

Jana Hall, Ph.D., MBA 

Chief Operations Officer 

Timothy Myers, MBA, CPA 

Vice President & Chief Financial Officer 

Sam Pinto 

Vice President & Chief Facilities Officer 

Craig Reynolds 

Vice President for Research Protections 

Terra Tarango 

Director & Chief Education Officer, 

Van Andel Institute for Education 

Steven J. Triezenberg, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon) 

President & Dean, Van Andel Institute 

Graduate School 

Kathleen Vogelsang, CFA, MBA 

Chief Investment Officer 

Linda Zarzecki 

Vice President of Human Resources 

LEADERSHIP 

61

Van Andel Institute Board Members 


Trustees 


Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, 


John Kennedy 

President & Chief Executive Officer, Autocam Medical 

Mark Meijer 

Founder & President, Life E.M.S. Ambulance 

Van Andel Research 

Institute Trustees 




James B. Fahner, M.D. 

Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology 

& Senior Administrative Physician for Philanthropy 

& Community Relations at Helen DeVos 

Children’s Hospital 

Michelle Le Beau, Ph.D. 

Professor of Medicine, Section of Hematology/ 

Oncology; Director, University of Chicago 

Comprehensive Cancer Center; Director, Cancer 

Cytogenetics Laboratory, University of Chicago 

Max S. Wicha, M.D. 

Distinguished Professor of Oncology; Professor, 

Department of Internal Medicine; Founding Director, 

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center 

Van Andel Education 

Institute Trustees 




James E. Bultman, Ed.D. 

President Emeritus, Hope College 

Susan Keipper Meell 

Chief Executive Officer, MMS Education 

Juan R. Olivarez, Ph.D. 

Distinguished Scholar in Residence for Diversity, 

Equity & Inclusion, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for 

Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University; President 

Emeritus, Aquinas College; Interim President, Grand 

Rapids Community College 

Teresa Weatherall Neal, Ed.D. (hon) 

Former Superintendent, Grand Rapids Public Schools 

(LEFT TO RIGHT) JOHN KENNEDY, DAVID VAN ANDEL 

& MARK MEIJER 

62

Van Andel Institute Graduate 

School Board of Directors 

Van Andel Research Institute 

External Scientific Advisory Board 

BOARDS 

Maria Cimitile, Ph.D. 

Professor of Philosophy, Honors College, 

Grand Valley State University 

James B. Fahner, M.D. 

Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology 

& Senior Administrative Physician for Philanthropy 

& Community Relations at Helen DeVos Children’s 

Hospital 


Chief Scientific Officer, Van Andel Institute 

Juan R. Olivarez, Ph.D. 

Chairman of the Board; Distinguished Scholar in 

Residence for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Dorothy 

A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, Grand Valley 

State University; President Emeritus, Aquinas College; 

Interim President, Grand Rapids Community College 

Mary O’Riordan, Ph.D. 

Vice Chair of the Board; Associate Dean of Graduate 

& Postdoctoral Studies and Frederick C. Neidhardt 

Collegiate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, 

University of Michigan Medical School 

Candace T. Smith-King, M.D. 

Vice President, Corewell Health Academic Affairs, 

Corewell Health System; Pediatric Specialist, Helen 

DeVos Children’s Hospital 

Sharon Y.R. Dent, Ph.D. (ESAB Chair) 

Professor & Chair, Department of Epigenetics & 

Molecular Carcinogenesis; Professor, Center for Cancer 

Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson 

Cancer Center 

Xiaodong Cheng, Ph.D. 

Professor, Department of Epigenetics & Molecular 

Carcinogenesis; Co-Director, Center for Cancer 

Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson 

Cancer Center 

Ted Dawson, M.D., Ph.D. 

Professor, Department of Neurology; Director, Institute 

for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University 

Joseph Ecker, Ph.D. 

Professor, Plant Molecular & Cellular Biology 

Laboratory; Director, Genomic Analysis Laboratory; 

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator; Salk 

International Council Chair in Genetics, Salk Institute 

Theresa Guise, M.D. 

Professor & Bone & Mineral Disorders Section Chief, 

Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal 

Disorders; Co-Director, Rolanette & Berdon Lawrence 

Bone Disease Program of Texas; Cancer Prevention 

Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Scholar, The 

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 

Tony Hunter, Ph.D. 

Professor, Molecular & Cell Biology Laboratory; 

American Cancer Society Professor; Renato 

Dulbecco Chair; Director, Salk Institute Cancer 

Center, Salk Institute 

Mitchell Lazar, M.D., Ph.D. 

Professor, Department of Medicine; Willard & Rhoda 

Ware Professor in Diabetes & Metabolic Diseases; 

Director, Penn Diabetes Research Center; Director, 

Cox Institute for Medical Research; Chair, Center 

& Institute Directors Forum; Founding Director, 

Institute for Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, 

University of Pennsylvania 

Thomas J. Montine, M.D., Ph.D. 

Professor & Chair, Department of Pathology; 

Stanford Medicine Endowed Professor in Pathology; 

Member, Stanford Bio-X; Member, Wu Tsai 

Neurosciences Institute; Founding Director, Pacific 

Udall Center, Stanford University 

Max S. Wicha, M.D. 

Professor, Department of Internal Medicine; 

Madeline & Sidney Forbes Professor of Oncology; 

Director, Forbes Institute for Cancer Discovery; 

Founding Director, University of Michigan Rogel 

Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of 

Michigan 

Danny R. Welch, Ph.D. 

Founding Chair, Department of Cancer Biology, 

University of Kansas Cancer Center 

63

Van Andel Institute Board of Governors 

Co-chairs 

Tim Long 

Vicky Ludema 

Members 

Dr. Marguerite Aitken 

Rosemary Anderson 

Kurt Arvidson 

Heidi Auman 

Jeffrey & Cheryl Baker 

James & Shirley Balk 

Regena Bassett 

Jeffrey Battershall 

John & Ginny Baysore 

Paul Becker & Eve Rogus 

Priscilla Becker 

Brian & Tami Jo Beltman 

Jeff & Meg Bennett 

Matthew & Shari Berger 

Gregory & Rajene Betz 

Dave & Jill Bielema 

Ted & Betsy Boelema 

Chuck & Chris Boelkins 

M. Rodrick & Kathleen Bolhous 

Carrie Boer 

Anne Brennan 

Brent Brinks 

Leonard Brucato 

Dr. Jim & Martie Bultman 

Beau Burnett 

William & Jackie Bylenga 

Carol Bylsma 


Scott & Heidi Campbell 

Josh & Linda Jo Carron 

Jeffrey Cauley 

Samuel Colella 

Dr. Thomas & Nancy Coles 

Diane Colvin 

Keith & Shirley Cook 

Matthew Cook 

Ryan & Jessica Cook 

Charles Cox 

Bill & Marilyn Crawford 

Mimi Cummings 

Tom & Tracy Curran 

David Custer 

Stephen Czech 

Kim Dabbs 

Thomas DeJonge 

Doug & Sandy Dekock 

Marleen DeLong 

Daniel DeRyke 

Robert & Allison DeVilbiss 

Dick & Betsy DeVos 

Douglas & Maria DeVos 

Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh 

Ron & Luann DeVries 

John Dykema & Michele 

Maly-Dykema 

Dr. Mark Eastburg 

Mike & Lynette Ellis 

Henry & Anne Emrich 

Peter & LeAnn Engles 

Tina Freese Decker 

José Pedro Freitas 

Dan & Lou Ann Gaydou 

Stuart Genschaw 

Dr. Stephen Germic 

Daniel Goris 

Braden Graham 

Martin & Peggy Greydanus 

Jefra Groendyk 

Ronald Haan 

Dr. Peter Hahn 

Dr. Jana Hall 

Kurt & Madelon Hassberger 

Paul & Sheryl Haverkate 

Matt & Jennifer Haworth 

Paul & Rose Heule 

Matthew Hoeksema 

Dr. Philip T. & Sharon Hoekstra 

J.C. Huizenga & Tammy Born- 

Huizenga 

Bill & Starr Humphries 

Anthony Hunter 

Ben & Molly Hunting 

Win & Kyle Irwin 

John James 

Mike & Sue Jandernoa 

Sidney & Cate Jansma 

Tom Jasper 

Kevin Jeakle 

Lynn Jekkals 

Cara Jones 

Dr. Peter & Veronica Jones 


David & Nancy Kammeraad 

Brenda Kastner 

Greg & Tammie Keane 

John & Nancy Kennedy 

Rick Keyes 

Dr. Chung Yul Kim 

Craig & Debbie Kinney 

Linda Klein 

Stephen Klotz 

Jerry Kooiman 

Matthew & Danielle Kool 

Al & Robin Koop 

Blake & Mary Krueger 

John & Katie Kuiper 

Gregory & Patrice Lankfer 

Ray & Jeannine Lanning 

Ken Larm 

John Leese 

Tim & Kim Long 

Charles Lott 

Gary & Vicky Ludema 

Michael & Suzanne Lunn 

Philomena Mantella 

Holly McCaw 

Thomas & Dawn McDonald 

Thomas McGovern 

Michael & Jen McGraw 

Dina McKnight-Dargis 

John McSorley 

MCS Marketing 

Mark & Mary Beth Meijer 

Rusty Merchant 

Buzz & Lisa Miller 

Jack H. Miller 

Ben & Elisabeth Mills 

William & Patricia Mills 


Mark & Elizabeth Murray 

Richard & Paula Nelson 

Laurie-Ann Netto 

Jack Nichols 

Greg Northrup & Birgit Klohs 

Dr. Juan R. & Mary Olivarez 

Steve Olson 

Milind Pant 

Richard Pappas 


Lewis Pitsch 

Richard Postma 

Todd Rempe 

Dr. John Renucci 

Pat Ringnalda 

Jeffery Roberts 

Thank you, Board of Governors. 

As members of the Van Andel Institute Board of Governors, you serve as ambassadors who help advance the Institute’s mission and vision in the local community. 

Thank you for being our partners and contributing significantly to our success. 

64

Doug Rottman 

Timothy Rottschafer 

John & Therese Rowerdink 

H. Gideon Sanders 

Mark Satkoski 

Timothy Schowalter 

Mary Schregardus 

Matthew Scogin 

Charlie Secchia 

Tony & Dawn Semple 

George & Linda Sharpe 

George & Missy Sharpe 

Tom & Barb Shaw 

Sherri Smith 

David & Linda Spencer 

John & Judy Spoelhof 

Robert & Susan Stafford 

Peter Stamos & Dr. Soonmee 

Cha-Stamos 

Frank Stanek 

Robert Stead 

Anne Stephens 

Dr. James & Dolly Strikwerda 

Tom & Mary Stuit 

Theresa Sullivan 

Duwane Suwyn 

Renee Tabben 

Praveen Thadani 

Dr. Steven J. & Laura Triezenberg 

John Truscott 

Michael & Jennifer Turala 

David & Sandy Turner 

David & Carol Van Andel 

Steve & Amy Van Andel 

Dan Van Dyck 

Michael & Michelle Van Dyke 

Daniel & Ann Marie Van Eerden 

Ronald & Helen Van Farowe 

Donna Van Haren 

Maria Van Til 

John Van Wylen 

Brian & Lori Vander Baan 

Dr. Douglas Vander Woude 

Vanderhyde Brothers Ford, Inc. 

Allen & Nancy VanderLaan 

David & Beth VanPortfliet 

Dr. Chris & Kara VerMeulen 

Peter Versluis 

Russ & Chris Visner 

Phil & Kathy Vogelsang 

Travis Ward 

Tom Welch 

Juli Wemmer 

Benjamin Wickstrom 

Scott & Rebecca Wierda 

Julie Wiersema 

Jim & Sue Williams 

Greg & Meg Willit 

Bob & Karen Wiltz 

Jim & Mary Workman 

John & Kathy Workman 

Jim & Jane Zwiers 

Van Andel Institute JBoard Ambassadors 

Co-chairs: Blake Crabb & Rachel Mraz 

Peter & Paige Afendoulis 

Keegan Balk 

Chris Billmeier 

Blake Crabb 

Jordan Custer 

Aaron & Afton DeVos 

Sam DeVries 

Ben Eastburg 

Jennifer Fischer 

Evan Frick 

James Frieling 

Chris & Meghan Gartman 

Zach Gebben 

Nate Harris 

Mike Hemmingsen 

Jason & Brandi Huyser 


Trey Kailunas 

Margaret Kennedy 

Kevin & Kathryn Kileen 

Kaleb Kimble 

Michael & Andrea Leestma 

Kimberly Livingston 

Kathleen Martin 


Thomas Murray 

Nathan & Erin Nartker 

Jon & Elle Oberdick 

John O’Neill 

Kendra Osowski 

Greg Paplawsky 


Justin Pinto 

Cody Pletcher 

Alexandra Price 

Patrick & Jenna Riley 

Nicole Rodammer 

Sara Ross 

Alex Schrotenboer 

Allison Sleight 

Riley Smith 

Joe Spoelhof 

Timothy Streit 

Mark Stuit 

THIS LIST INCLUDES MEMBERS ACTIVE ANY TIME BETWEEN JAN. 1, 2022 AND DEC. 31, 2022. 

Aaron & Hailey Van Andel 

Chris Van Andel 

Jesse & Heather Van Andel 

Kyle Van Andel 

Dan VandenBosch 

Sarah Vander Baan 

Tripp & Katie VanderWal 

Samuel & Sydney Vucelich 

Justin Welker 

Cameron Young 

Megan Zubrickas 

BOARDS & COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS 

Thank you, JBoard Ambassadors. 

As JBoard Ambassadors, you are leaders who exhibit the power of young professionals to make a difference. We appreciate the energy and dedication you bring to the 

Institute. Thank you for your vision and your friendship in our efforts to improve the health and enhance the lives of current and future generations. 

65

333 Bostwick Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | 616.234.5000 | vai.org

2022 Annual Report

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