VAI Folio 2019

IT STARTS WITH OUR PEOPLE, EACH
OF THEM DEEPLY CONNECTED TO
THE WORK WE DO, EACH OF THEM
DRIVEN BY AN URGENT DESIRE TO
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
“When I was 13, my father was diagnosed
with Parkinson’s disease, and I knew
then what I was going to do with my life.
At VAI, we’re getting closer every day to
slowing, stopping and even preventing
the progression of Parkinson’s. We’re
pursuing some of the most exciting
breakthroughs in the field.”
Dr. Patrik Brundin
Associate Director of Research
Professor & Director,
Center for Neurodegenerative Science
A PERSONAL CONNECTION
After spending much of his career in academic
research and establishing himself as a leader
in the field of neurodegenerative disorders,
Dr. Patrik Brundin sensed a passion and
determination to cure Parkinson’s disease
among Van Andel Institute leadership that
matched his own, and he found a new path
forward.
Since joining the Institute in 2012, he has
assembled a team of world-class scientists who
bring diverse approaches to their work and
share a sense of urgency to develop treatments
that improve outcomes for real people.
“It’s important to me that our team includes
people with a range of perspectives: be it from
different scientific backgrounds, working with
new technologies, or just challenging the status
quo. It’s the only way we’re going to beat these
diseases,” Brundin said.
“Being rigorous and ambitious is how we work
here at VAI. At the same time, we all share a
personal connection to our mission that drives
us forward. That’s what unites and motivates
us to pursue breakthroughs that will improve
quality of life for people with Parkinson’s, and
one day, prevent the disease altogether.”
11