2022 Annual Report

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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
Page 1 and 2: 2022 Annual Report
Page 3 and 4: Table of Contents 2 A letter from D
Page 5 and 6: “From all of us at Van Andel Inst
Page 8 and 9: Department of Neurodegenerative Sci
Page 10 and 11: Department of Epigenetics Scientist
Page 12 and 13: Department of Cell Biology Our heal
Page 14 and 15: Department of Structural Biology Sc
Page 16 and 17: Department of Metabolism & Nutritio
Page 18 and 19: Translating impact from lab to clin
Page 20 and 21: Core Technologies & Services Van An
Page 22 and 23: Van Andel Institute Principal Inves
Page 30 and 31: A modern approach to graduate educa
Page 34: Van Andel Institute for Education W
Page 37 and 38: K-12 EDUCATION 35
Page 39 and 40: K-12 EDUCATION 37
Page 42 and 43: Carol Van Andel Angel of Excellence
Page 44 and 45: Design & Discovery Merging the insp
Page 46 and 47: Around the World Hosted by VAI’s
Page 48 and 49: Couture for a Cure Michigan’s pre
Page 50 and 51: Hope on the Hill & The Chocolate Fa
Page 52 and 53: Signature special event sponsors We
Page 54 and 55: A decade of support: Inside Jeffery
Page 56 and 57: Positivity & perseverance: Richard
Page 58 and 59: From Purple Community to JBoard Amb
Page 60 and 61: Running for family & research Nearl
Page 62 and 63: Philanthropy Circle of Hope Anonymo
Page 64 and 65: Van Andel Institute Board Members V
Page 66 and 67: Van Andel Institute Board of Govern
Page 68: 333 Bostwick Ave. NE, Grand Rapids,

2022 Annual Report

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