Van Andel Institute Graduate School 2023 Convocation & Commencement Program

New Graduate Student Bios
Tian (Devin) Qiu is from Hangzhou, China. He obtained his Bachelor
of Agriculture from Zhejiang University and an M.S. in Biomedical
Informatics from Washington University in St. Louis. He then
worked as a research technician at Washington University before
joining Van Andel Institute Graduate School. He is interested in
understanding the impact of genetic and epigenetic variation on
complex diseases.
Ali Gamal Salaheldin is from Egypt, where he completed a B.S.
in Molecular and Cell Biology at the Zewail City of Science and
Technology. He has scientific experience in genetics and molecular
biology. He has worked at the Center for Genomics at Zewail City
as a junior researcher for two years. His thesis project involved
studying the role of actin-binding protein in rescuing yeast mutant
cells under stress. He is interested in studying cancer and learning
more about the central dogma in detail.
Lillian Sauline grew up in Comstock Park, Michigan. She attended
Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan to obtain her B.S. in
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Before graduating with her
undergraduate degree, Lillian participated in the VAI Summer
Internship Program, studying neurodegenerative science. She
continued her work as an intern until the completion of her B.S.
Transitioning into a laboratory technician, she remained in the
Department of Neurodegenerative Science, studying Parkinson’s
disease. As a graduate student, she will focus on building a thesis
that will allow her to incorporate aspects of pharmacology into
her research.
Joshua Wierenga is from Grand Rapids, Michigan and has a B.S.
from Aquinas College in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
with a minor in Math. Josh has had a wide variety of research
experiences, including the elliptical geometry of Icosahedral
viruses, characterizing streptococcus infection of keratinocytes,
and biochemistry of epigenetic proteins. Josh is currently
interested in ideas such as how maternal environment impacts
offspring development and how epigenetic regulators impact cell
differentiation.
Devia Williams is originally from Portland, Jamaica. She received her
B.S. in Biology from Benedict College in 2023. Her past research
experiences include a summer research internship at Van Andel
Institute in 2022 and a summer research internship at Benedict
College in 2021.
History of Van Andel Institute Graduate School
Van Andel Institute began with a vision to improve human health through
biomedical research and science education. Van Andel Institute Graduate School
plays a key role in this mission, combining rigorous coursework, extensive
laboratory experience and the mentorship of VAI’s expert faculty to develop the
biomedical research leaders of the future.
The Graduate School was founded in 2005, with a charter to grant doctoral and
master’s degrees, through the leadership of Dr. Gordon Van Harn as the Director
of Van Andel Institute for Education. Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg became the founding
Dean in 2006, bringing a vision of creativity and innovation for biomedical graduate
education. The school earned accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission
in 2013 and is gaining a national reputation for its program design, curricular
approach, and student support.
From the first cohort of three pioneering students in 2007, the Graduate School
has grown to a student body of 53 scholars from 14 different countries. Including
today’s graduates, 42 students have earned Ph.D. degrees and four have earned
master’s degrees. Graduate School alumni are now taking leadership positions
in academia, research, and industry, carrying forward VAI’s values of curiosity,
collaboration, and urgency to improve the health and enhance the lives of current
and future generations.
Acknowledgments
We gratefully acknowledge that the success of the Graduate School arises from:
• The vision and generosity of Van Andel Institute Founders Jay and Betty
Van Andel
• The stalwart support of David Van Andel, Chairman and CEO of
Van Andel Institute
• Encouraging guidance from Van Andel Education Institute Board of Trustees
• Creative direction and diligent oversight by past and current members of the
Van Andel Institute Graduate School Board of Directors
• Instrumental leadership of Founding Dean, Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg, in
establishing and developing our accredited Ph.D. program
• Committed leadership of Van Andel Institute Graduate School President
Dr. Peter A. Jones, Interim Dean Dr. Gerry Coetzee, and Interim Assistant Dean
Dr. Carrie Graveel, along with dedicated and excellent work by Graduate School
staff members: Associate Dean Dr. Sarah Bodbyl, Director of Assessment and
Professional Development Taylor Boyd, Director of Enrollment and Records
Christy Mayo, Director of Student Support Services Alli Roman, and administrative
team members Taijah Claybrook, Michelle Love and Susanne Miller-Schachinger