2023 VAI Annual Report

2023
ANNUAL
REPORT

Van Andel Institute began with
a vision: to improve human health.
The Institute is fueled by a community of bright minds who share a
relentless curiosity and deep commitment to make the world a better
place through groundbreaking biomedical research and inspired K-12
and graduate education.
At Van Andel Institute, we do more than dream about improving
human health. We strive to make it a reality.
Laurie-Ann Netto
Jack Nichols
Shawn Norden
Dr. Juan & Mary Olivarez
Thomas Ozinga & Phong Hoang
Mitchell Padnos
Milind Pant
Richard Pappas
Lee & Alexandra Perez
Lewis Pitsch
Shawn & Sarah Platt
James Preston
Elsa Prince Broekhuizen
Dr. Suresh & Dr. Sarla Puri
Todd Rempe
Dr. John Renucci
Pat Ringnalda
Brenda Rinks
Jeffery Roberts
Hilary Roelofs
Dr. Jack & Lija Romence
Robert Roth
Doug Rottman
John & Therese Rowerdink
Joseph Sanda
Gideon Sanders
Mark Satkoski
Mike & Cynthia Schaap
Timothy Schowalter
Mary Schregardus
Marc & Jeanne Schupan
Matthew Scogin
Charlie Secchia
Tony & Dawn Semple
George & Linda Sharpe
George & Missy Sharpe
Tom & Barb Shaw
Dr. Chris & Kara VerMeulen John & Vicky Weller Greg Willit & Meg Miller Willit
Jeremy Shoemaker
Peter Versluis
Benjamin Wickstrom Bob & Karen Wiltz
John & Judy Spoelhof
Chris Vinton
Chris Wierda
Jim & Mary Workman
Scott & Jan Spoelhof
Angela Visbeen
Scott & Rebecca Wierda John & Kathy Workman
Robert & Susan Stafford
Phil & Kathy Vogelsang
Julie Wiersema
Jim & Jane Zwiers
Peter Stamos & Soonmee Cha- James & Cassandra Ward
Greg Williams
Jason Zylstra
Stamos
Tom Welch
Jim & Sue Williams
Frank Stanek Table of Contents
Anne Stephens
This list reflects gifts received between Jan. 1 and Dec 31, 2022.
Leanne Stoll
Tom & Mary Stuit 2 A letter from David Van Andel
40 Events and Philanthropy
Duwane Suwyn
Van Andel Institute JBoard Ambassadors
Dr. Kathryn Swanson 4 Research
42 Event galleries
Praveen Thadani
Bradley Thomas 6
Co-Chairs
Research Blake highlights: Crabb Epigenetics
Matt & Sarah Jones
Trey Kailunas54 Patrick & Jenna Riley
Signature event Nicole sponsors Rodammer
P.J. Thompson
Rachel Mraz
Andrew Kapanowski
Sara Ross
Dr. Steve & Laura Triezenberg 8 Research highlights:
Margaret Kennedy 56 Donor spotlight: Alex Bea Schrotenboer
Aldrink Idema
John Truscott
Neurodegenerative Members Science
Kaleb Kimble Foundation Allison Sleight
David & Sandy Turner
Rueben Antonio
Michael & Andrea Leestma Dr. Josh & Mollie Smith
David & Carol Van Andel 10 Research Blake highlights: Crabb Cell Biology Kimberly Livingston 58 Donor spotlight: Timothy Matt Cook Streit
Steve & Amy Van Andel
Jordan Custer
Diana Longstreet
Mark Stuit
Sharon Van Dellen 12 Research Aaron highlights: & Afton DeVos Structural BiologyKathleen Martin 60 Donor spotlight: Aaron Matt & Hailey Sarah Van Jones Andel
Michael & Michelle Van Dyke Sam DeVries
Rob & Kati Missman
Chris Van Andel
Daniel & Ann Marie Van Eerden 14 Research Ben Eastburg highlights:
Mike & Rachel 62 MrazDonor spotlight: Jesse Jim & Cvelbar Heather Van Andel
Douglas & Sandra Van Essen Metabolism Jennifer & Fischer Nutritional ProgrammingThomas Murray
Kyle Van Andel
Donna Van Haren
Evan Frick
Nathan & Erin 64 Nartker Circle of Hope Dan VandenBosch
Maria Van Til 16 Core Technologies James Frieling and Services Jon & Elle Oberdick
Tripp & Katie VanderWal
John Van Wylen
Meghan Gartman
John O’Neill 64 VAI by the numbers Samuel & Sydney Vucelich
Dr. Doug Vander Woude 17
Allen & Nancy VanderLaan
Translating Erik & Victoria impact from Hansen lab to clinic
Nate Harris
Kendra Osowski
Greg Paplawsky 65
Cameron Young
Leadership teamMegan Zubrickas
Patti Vandort 18 VAI principal Mike Hemmingsen investigators
Lee & Alexandra Perez
Michael & Gayle VanGessel Jason & Brandi Huyser
Justin Pinto 66 Board members
David & Beth VanPortfliet 26 VAI Scientists Nate Johnson team up with high school Alexandra Price
Dr. John R. & Grace students to solve the challenge of insulin 68 Board of Governors
VanTimmeren
resistance This list includes members active any time between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023.
Jim & Wanda Veld
69 JBoard Ambassadors
30 Van Andel Institute Graduate School
BOARD OF GOVERNORS & JBOARD AMBASSADORS
Thank you, JBoard Ambassadors.
34 Education
As JBoard Ambassadors, you are leaders who exhibit the power of early and mid-career professionals to make a difference. We appreciate the energy and dedication
you bring to the Institute. Thank you for your vision and your 36 friendship Education in our highlights efforts to improve the health and enhance the lives of current and future generations.
169

A letter from
David Van Andel
Dear friends and supporters,
Just over 27 years ago, Van Andel Institute opened its
doors, welcoming the challenges of biomedical research
and committing to unraveling the mysteries of the
diseases affecting millions across the globe. As we
charge forth into our second quarter-century of service,
I’m proud to say we do so with passion and humility,
values instilled in the Institute by my parents, and values
you’ll see reflected throughout this annual report and in
the work of our scientists and educators.
VAI continues to thrive, with long-term plans underway
to continue the Institute’s purposeful growth.
Exceptional research takes time, and our commitment
to excellence has helped us earn a positive reputation
among our peers. I’m proud to say the Institute has
become a premier destination for scientists, attracting
the talent necessary to create a thriving scientific
community.
Thanks to our scientists, we’re one step closer to
understanding cancer, Parkinson’s and metabolic
disorders. Their cutting-edge research is making an
impact today, building the foundation for a healthier
world tomorrow. It’s a privilege to share these
discoveries — many of which will reach far beyond
West Michigan.
academic officer. Under his leadership, the Graduate
School is poised to enable even more students to
enter areas ripe for groundbreaking scientific advances,
creating leaders with the ability to make an impact
across the industry. And our K–12 initiatives are being
extended in wider arcs than ever before to those eager
to embrace curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.
More than 500 scientists, educators and staff work daily
to enable the achievements highlighted in this report,
but none of it would be possible without passionate
VAI supporters. Every year, a network of organizations,
individuals, businesses, volunteers, sponsors and
philanthropists support the Institute. Every year, I can’t
overstate my gratitude: It’s your generosity that fuels our
discoveries, and the impact of your gifts will be felt by
countless generations.
To our supporters, scientists, educators and
collaborators, we extend our deepest gratitude. We
invite you to join us as we move ever forward on our
voyage of discovery for a world in need.
Sincerely,
“I’m proud to say the Institute
is becoming a premier
destination for scientists,
attracting the talent necessary
to create a thriving scientific
community.”
— David Van Andel
Van Andel Institute Chairman & CEO
Our mission continues to manifest itself in so many
important ways, including training the scientific
leaders of tomorrow. Van Andel Institute Graduate
School welcomed Dr. Eric C. Swindell as dean and chief
David Van Andel
Van Andel Institute Chairman & CEO
2 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 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 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.
6
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
VAI chief scientist earns prestigious grant to
support cancer research
Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Peter A. Jones received a
seven-year, nearly $7.9 million grant from the National
Cancer Institute’s Outstanding Investigator Award
program. The funding will fuel his research into the
epigenetic errors that drive cancer development — and
help him find ways to fix them. The award is a renewal
of an earlier seven-year, $7.8 million Outstanding
Investigator Award granted to Jones in 2017. 1
VAI, Washington University School of Medicine
in St. Louis to lead genome center under $140M
NIH initiative
VAI’s Dr. Hui Shen and Washington University School
of Medicine in St. Louis’s Dr. Ting Wang will co-lead
a collaborative project supported by the Somatic
Mosaicism across Human Tissues (SMaHT) Network,
a $140 million National Institutes of Health-led effort
to better understand the genetic differences between
individual cells and tissues in the body. Together, VAI
and Washington University will be one of five SMaHTsupported
Genome Characterization Centers, which will
conduct leading-edge genomic analysis for the network.
Wang will serve as the project’s director; Shen will serve
as co-director. The project is supported by a $15 million
grant from the NIH Common Fund as part of SMaHT. 2
Breakdown of ‘protective mechanisms’ can
drive lung cancer development
Loss of two key “protector” proteins initiates epigenetic
changes that transform healthy lung cells into cancerous
ones, according to research from Dr. Gerd Pfeifer
and colleagues. The findings were among the first to
demonstrate a wholly epigenetic origin for cancer cells
and may have implications for future cancer treatment
and prevention strategies. Going forward, Pfeifer
plans to explore this process in other cancer types to
investigate whether it’s a phenomenon restricted to lung
cells or if it has wider applicability — findings that could
have broad implications for our understanding of cancer
and the development of new therapies. 3
Researchers discover two subtypes of insulinproducing
cells
A team led by VAI and Max Planck Institute of
Immunobiology and Epigenetics scientists identified
two distinct subtypes of insulin-producing beta cells,
or ß cells, each with crucial characteristics that may
be leveraged to better understand and treat Type 1 and
Type 2 diabetes. ß cells are critical guardians of the
body’s metabolic balance. They are the only cells capable
of producing insulin, which regulates blood sugar
levels by designating dietary sugar for immediate use
or storage. Scientists have long recognized differences
among ß cells, but this study is the first to clearly
delineate specific cell subtypes. VAI’s Dr. J. Andrew
Pospisilik is the study’s senior author. 4
Study illuminates mechanism that annotates
genetic information passed from fathers to
offspring
Dr. Piroska Szabó and collaborators have identified a key
part of a mechanism that annotates genetic information
before it is passed from fathers to their offspring. The
findings, published in Science Advances, shed new light
on genomic imprinting, a fundamental biological process
in which a gene from one parent is switched off while
the copy from the other parent remains active. Errors in
imprinting are linked to a host of diseases, such as the
rare disease Silver-Russell syndrome, along with certain
cancers and diabetes. 5
Study reveals drivers of metastatic breast
cancer
Cancers that metastasize — meaning they spread
from their original site to new areas of the body — are
particularly challenging to treat and are a main cause
of cancer death. A study by a multi-institutional team
of scientists has revealed key differences between
primary breast cancers and their metastases. The
findings offer fresh insights into how metastatic breast
cancer develops and progresses — and provide vital
opportunities for new therapeutic approaches. Dr. Peter
W. Laird was a senior author of the study. 6
Funding Acknowledgements
Research reported in this publication was supported by:
1
The National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award no.
R35CA209859 (Jones).
2
The NIH Common Fund under award no. UM1DA058219 (Wang, Shen, Fulton).
3
Van Andel Institute and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of
Health under award no. R01CA234595 (Pfeifer).
4
Van Andel Institute; Max Planck Gesellschaft; the European Research Council
under award nos. ERC-StG-281641 and ERC-CoG-682679 (Pospisilik); the European
Foundation for the Study of Diabetes/Eli Lilly (Dror); 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).
5
Van Andel Institute and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the
National Institutes of Health under award no. R01GM064378 (Szabó).
6
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation under award no. ELFF-14-002 through
the Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund for Metastatic Breast Cancer Research (Wolff;
subaward to Laird); Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Support Grant P30CA68485
and National Cancer Institute SPORE 2P50CA098131-17 (Balko); Lineberger
Comprehensive Cancer Center Grant P30-CA016086-45 and NCI Breast SPORE
Program P50-CA058223 (Perou and Carey). The results published here are in whole or
part based upon data from the Cancer Genome Atlas managed by the NCI and NHGRI
(dbGaP accession phs000178). The RedCap instance used to capture clinical data
in this project was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational
Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award no. UL1TR002489.
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 funding
organizations.
RESEARCH
7

Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Worldwide, 7 million to 10 million people have
Parkinson’s disease and more than 30 million
have dementia. Currently, there is no cure and no
effective way to slow or stop disease progression.
VAI 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 roles of the gut and the immune system.
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 for Parkinson’s, dementias
and depression.
Funding Acknowledgements
Research reported in this publication was supported by:
1
Van Andel Institute; Van Andel Institute Graduate School; and the National Institute
on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under multi-PI award no. R56AG074473
(Keith A. Vossel, Ph.D. [University of California, Los Angeles]; Darren Moore, Ph.D.
[VAI]; and Michael K. Lee, Ph.D. [University of Minnesota]).
2
The National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health under
award no. R01MH118211 (Brundin, Mann and Achtyes).
3
Lund University; MultiPark at Lund University; the Joint Programme for
Neurodegenerative Disease (MADGIC) research co-funded by the European Union
Research and Innovation Programme Horizon 2020 through the ERA-NET co-funding
scheme under award no. VR 2015–07798 (Roybon) and no. VR 2015–06797 (Gouras);
The Crafoord Foundation (Roybon); The Åhlens Foundation (Roybon); The Dementia
Foundation Sweden (Demensfonden) (Roybon); The Olle Engkvist Byggmästare
Foundation (Roybon); the Royal Physiographic Society of Lund (Pomeshchik); The
Ragnhild och Einar Lundströms Minne Foundation (Pomeshchik); and the Swedish
Alzheimer Foundation (Alzheimerfonden) (Roybon and Pomeshchik).
4
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National
Institutes of Health under award no. R01NS121371 (Chu) and Aligning Science Across
Parkinson’s under award no. ASAP-020572 (granted to Emory University [PI: Thomas
Wichmann, Ph.D.]; subaward to Hong-yuan Chu , Ph.D.).
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 funding
organizations.
8
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Study offers insights into development of
cognitive symptoms in Parkinson’s
In addition to movement-related symptoms, many
people with Parkinson’s disease also experience
cognitive symptoms such as dementia. In a study
published in the journal npj Parkinson’s Disease,
Dr. Darren Moore and colleagues revealed new insights
into how and why these cognitive symptoms arise. They
found that clumps of disease-associated proteins, which
have long been linked to motor symptoms, also precede
the onset of cognitive symptoms. The findings offer an
important window into disease development and could
offer new treatment targets. 1
VAI appoints neurobiologist Dr. Laurent Roybon
as associate professor
VAI has appointed Dr. Laurent Roybon as an associate
professor in its Department of Neurodegenerative
Science. Roybon is a neurobiologist and stem cell
expert who studies the mechanisms that give rise
to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s
disease. His research seeks to identify improved
treatments that impede disease progression —
something not possible with current therapies.
Discovery offers new insights into the link
between inflammation and suicide risk
A first-of-its-kind study has identified overactive
inflammation and loss of critical protection mechanisms
in the brain as potential contributors to suicide risk.
The findings support further exploration of antiinflammatory
medications to reduce risk, especially in
situations where suicidal ideation can be ascertained
early. The work was led by Dr. Lena Brundin in
collaboration with colleagues at Columbia University
and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D.
School of Medicine. The study was published in the
journal Molecular Psychiatry. 2
New model provides window into Alzheimer’s
development
A new model developed by VAI’s Dr. Laurent Roybon
and colleagues at Lund University and University of
Florence will enable researchers to better understand
how Alzheimer’s disease progresses in the brain. Like
other neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s is
challenging to study due to its complexity and lack of
tools to study the disease in the human brain. Instead,
scientists often rely on models that mimic the disease.
The new model successfully replicated critical changes
in brain pathways that could later lead to the formation
of amyloid plaques and tau tangles — hallmarks of
Alzheimer’s — as well as disease-associated changes in
neighboring cells, a sign that disease pathology may be
spreading from cell to cell. The findings were published
in the journal Acta Neuropathologica Communications. 3
Repairing broken brain circuits may offer path
to new Parkinson’s treatments
Dr. Hong-yuan Chu and his lab have identified a series of
processes that help the brain adapt to damage caused by
breakdowns in circuits that govern movement, cognition
and sensory perception. Because such breakdowns
contribute to Parkinson’s disease, the findings may
one day help researchers optimize current treatments
or develop new ones that repair or bypass the broken
circuits. The findings were published in Science Advances. 4
RESEARCH
9

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.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
New treatment target pinpointed in rare disease
Robinow syndrome is a rare disease that often results in shortened arm and leg bones,
along with crowded teeth, cleft palate and a broad forehead. There are no known
treatments. However, a study by VAI scientists and collaborators offers new hope.
Using mouse models of the disease, the team was able to prevent the limb shortening
that occurs in Robinow syndrome by targeting an important part of a cellular pathway
called Wnt. The findings could inform potential future treatments and shed light on
other conditions linked to Wnt. 1
New model offers powerful tool for studying endometrial cancer
A new laboratory model will better enable scientists to study the development of
endometrial cancer, the most common gynecological cancer in the U.S. The model was
developed by VAI and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine scientists
and allows researchers to see how healthy cells in the lining of the uterus transform
into malignant ones — something not possible with previous models. The research
was started in the lab of late VAI Professor Dr. Art Alberts and carried on by Senior
Research Associate Susan Kitchen-Goosen (Russell Jones Lab), VAI Core Technologies
and Services Director Dr. Bart Williams and MSU Professor Dr. Jose Teixeira. 2
Funding Acknowledgements
Research reported in this publication was supported by:
1
The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health under award nos. R01DE027091
(Stottmann) and K08DE031039 (Michalski); Van Andel Institute; Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation; and Cincinnati
Children’s Hospital Medical Center for Pediatric Genomics.
2
Van Andel Institute and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development under award no.
R01HD096259 (Teixeira).
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 funding organizations.
Generosity of VAI employees empowers osteoporosis discovery
What started as a question about an odd bone could one day lead to new ways
to treat osteoporosis with fewer side effects, thanks to a collaborative team of
inquisitive scientists fueled by philanthropic funding from VAI employees.
The discovery, published in the journal Science Advances, identified a protein called
KDM5C as a potential treatment target for osteoporosis. It also shed new light on
how and why women lose bone mass as they age, a process that results in nearly
1 in 5 women facing osteoporosis after age 50.
The findings offer new hope for improved osteoporosis treatments
and underscore the importance of innovation, a shared spirit of
collaboration and the value of asking a simple question: why?
Funny bones and curious questions
Postdoctoral fellow Dr. Lukai Zhai couldn’t shake the feeling that
something was off about the tiny piece of bone he was studying in
the lab. It appeared denser than it should.
Zhai was intrigued, so he reached out to Dr. Huadie Liu, a postdoctoral
fellow who studies bone diseases. Together with their mentors — Dr. Connie
Krawczyk and Dr. Tao Yang — they came up with an idea.
What if the protein Zhai studied, KDM5C, had something to do with the bone
changes?
The prospect was an exciting one.
KDM5C is an epigenetic modulator — a fancy term for a molecular helper that
ensures the instructions in DNA are carried out correctly. It works by altering
epigenetic marks, which are akin to “on” and “off” switches that enable our genetic
instructions to be used at the right time and in the right place.
KDM5C also is associated with X chromosomes, meaning it is more active in women
than men. Because of this, disorders linked to KDM5C are much more prevalent in
women — a common thread with osteoporosis. This connection offered a tantalizing
clue that the team was on the right track.
The Krawczyk and Yang labs had a compelling question. Now, they needed support
to make the project happen.
A team effort
Enter VAI employees, who have the option to generously support Institute projects.
Once a year, VAI scientists and educators pitch their ideas to employee-donors,
who then vote on which projects to support.
The funds give fledgling research projects the springboard they need to get
projects off the ground and gather the early data required to secure subsequent
grant funding.
Around
the
Institute
Funding Acknowledgements
In 2021, VAI employees voted to award Yang and Krawczyk nearly
$73,000 for the project. This funding enabled their teams to
investigate differences in the way bone is regulated in male and
female mice, which share many similarities with humans and are
important models for studying health and disease.
“Employee support fosters collaborative research across disciplines
and enables research that couldn’t happen in just one lab,” Yang said.
“It’s a tremendous program that allows everyone to contribute to
science, no matter their role at VAI. We are so grateful to our colleagues
for supporting our work.”
As part of their project, the Krawczyk and Yang labs focused on specialized cells
called osteoclasts, which help maintain skeletal health by breaking down and
recycling old bone. They discovered that reducing KDM5C disrupted cellular
energy production in osteoclasts, which slowed down the recycling process and
preserved bone mass.
“Lowering KDM5C levels is like flipping a switch to stop an overactive recycling
process. The result is greater bone density, which ultimately means stronger
bones,” Krawczyk said. “We’re very excited about this work and look forward to
carrying out future studies to refine our findings. At the end of the day, we hope
these insights make a difference for people with osteoporosis.”
Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute; Van Andel Institute’s Employee Impact Campaign;
and the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R01AG061086 (Yang).
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 funding organizations.
RESEARCH
10
11

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 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.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Study zooms in on critical molecule
Heparan sulfate is a complex sugar that provides strength and elasticity to the body’s tissues. To better understand
this critical molecule, Dr. Huilin Li and collaborators conducted a comprehensive study on the enzymes EXT1 and
EXT2, which synthesize the backbone of heparan sulfate. Their findings offer new insights into how heparan sulfate
carries out its roles, which include cellular communication, cell survival and cell development. 1
Cryo-EM sheds light on key part of our ‘cellular network’
Our cells sense shifts in their environments through a network of chemical messengers that flow into and out of
specialized molecular gates called ion channels. Thanks to a discovery by Dr. Wei Lü and collaborators, we now
better understand how one of these channels, called PAC, maintains pH balance in brain cells, a critical function
that keeps cells alive and helps prevent stroke and other injuries. Their research provides a detailed look at PAC
interacting with another molecule called PIP 2
, which could one day inform development of new treatments for brain
injury. 2
Study points the way to better malaria drugs
Structural insights into a potent antimalarial drug candidate’s interaction with the malaria parasite Plasmodium
falciparum have paved the way for drug-resistant malaria therapies, according to a study led by Van Andel Institute’s
Dr. Huilin Li and Weill Cornell Medicine’s Dr. Gang Lin. Malaria is a life-threatening disease that infects nearly
250 million people and causes more than 600,000 deaths each year, with most cases occurring in sub-Saharan
Africa. In the study, published in Nature Communications, the researchers used cryo-EM to create a high-resolution
map that depicts the antimalarial drug candidate TDI-8304 as it fastens to its target in the malaria parasite, a key
part of developing better therapies that delay drug resistance. 3
Funding Acknowledgements
Research reported in this publication was supported by:
1
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award nos. R01GM130915 (Moreman) and P41GM103390 (Moreman); the National
Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R01CA231466 (Li); Van Andel Institute; and the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy
Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences Division under award no. DE-SC0015662 (Amos).
2
Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) (Mihaljevic); National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award nos. T32GM007445 (BCMB
Graduate Training Program) and R35GM124824 (Qiu); the American Heart Association under award nos. 20POST35120556 (Ruan) and 18PRE34060025 (Osei-Owusu); the
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health under award nos. K99NS128258 (Ruan), R01NS112363 (Lü) and R01NS118014 (Qiu); a
McKnight Scholar Award (Qiu); a Klingenstein-Simon Scholar Award (Qiu); and a Sloan Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (Qiu). A portion of this research was supported by
National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award no. U24GM129547 and performed at the PNCC at OHSU and accessed through
EMSL (grid.436923.9), a DOE Office of Science User Facility sponsored by the Office of Biological and Environmental Research.
3
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award nos. R01AI143714 (Lin) and R01AI070285 (Li). Alison Roth acknowledges
funding in part from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (W81XWH-WH2210520; PIs D. Fidock and M. Bogyo).
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 funding organizations.
Funding
VAI scientists have 116 active
awards totaling $176.9 million.
In 2023, VAI scientists earned 30
new awards totaling $36.2 million.
Publications
In 2023, VAI scientists published
123 peer-reviewed papers. Of
these, 62 were in high-impact
journals.
Nature Index
The Nature Index, which measures
institutional scientific output,
ranks VAI no. 27 in the Biological
Sciences category out of the top
100 nongovernmental/nonprofits.
VAI ranks no. 46 overall.
Figures current as of December 2023.
RESEARCH
12
13

Department of
Metabolism & Nutritional Programming
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 cuttingedge
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.
14
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Celebrating 5 years of metabolism research
Metabolism fuels our day-to-day lives, from ensuring
we have enough energy to function to keeping our
immune systems up and running. That’s why in 2018,
VAI established its Department of Metabolism and
Nutritional Programming, which brought together a
team of expert scientists to explore the countless ways
metabolism impacts health and disease.
Their goal is ambitious — to make discoveries that can
be transformed into scientifically sound strategies for
improving well-being, treating metabolic diseases and
augmenting existing treatments for cancer and other
chronic disorders. In the past five years, the department
has developed into a metabolism research powerhouse,
fueled by scientists who routinely publish breakthrough
discoveries and earn external recognition for their work.
Targeting uncontrolled inflammation may hold
the key to treating therapy-resistant cancers
VAI scientists have determined how a specific gene
mutation triggers inflammation that may drive
development of treatment-resistant cancers. The
findings reveal for the first time the molecular
circuitry by which mutations in the gene STK11 cause
inflammation to spiral out of control. The resulting
chemical firestorm damages healthy cells and can
enable cancer development. Tumors that lose the STK11
gene are tough to treat because they resist traditional
chemotherapy and many of the latest immunotherapies.
The study, which was led by the Department of
Metabolism and Nutritional Programming Chair
Dr. Russell Jones, may inform new treatments for cancer
and the rare disease Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome. 1
$2.4 million award fuels study of ‘cellular
powerhouses’
Our cells are powered by tiny “powerplants” called
mitochondria, which transform nutrients into the
fuel that sustains life. But there’s more to the story
of mitochondria, says Dr. Sara Nowinski. Thanks to a
five-year, nearly $2.4 million Maximizing Investigators’
Research Award from the National Institute of General
Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health,
Nowinski will have additional resources to explore the
inner workings of these crucial cellular components
and usher in a new understanding of how mitochondria
function and power the body. 2
Fruit flies offer window into early development
Fruit flies are best known for annoying people seeking
out a banana for breakfast or an apple for an afternoon
snack. For scientists, though, fruit flies are unsung
heroes whose contributions have reshaped much of
what is known about human health and disease. That’s
because, despite being vastly different on the outside,
fruit flies and humans share many genetic similarities.
Dr. Heidi Lempradl and collaborators have developed
a powerful new technique to study this vital model
organism and shed new light on their earliest stages of
development — knowledge that may deeply impact our
understanding of human health. 3
Alternative cellular ‘fuels’ may boost immunity
A metabolic byproduct that is more prevalent during
fasting may supercharge immune cells as they fight
infection and disease, according to an early-stage study
by Dr. Russell Jones and collaborators. The findings,
published in the journal Immunity, may pave the way
for future personalized dietary recommendations to
augment treatments for infection, cancer and other
diseases. 4
VAI postdoc awarded prestigious Damon
Runyon Fellowship
In January 2023, Dr. McLane Watson was named a
Damon Runyon Fellow by the Damon Runyon Cancer
Research Foundation, an honor that places him among
the most promising early career scientists in the nation.
The four-year, $252,000 fellowship will support Watson
as he investigates new ways to supercharge cancer
immunotherapies by identifying how metabolism fuels
immune cells. He was one of only 14 awardees in the
2023 class of Damon Runyon Fellows. 5
VAI scientist awarded $2.9 million to tackle key
driver of diabetes
Dr. Nick Burton earned a five-year, nearly $2.9 million
New Innovator Award from the National Institutes of
Health Common Fund to find new ways to fix or prevent
insulin resistance, a key driver of Type 2 diabetes.
Burton and his team are employing an innovative
approach — seeking out naturally occurring bacteria
that can influence insulin production and signaling.
Once identified, Burton hopes these microbes will offer
new paths toward breakthrough treatments. 6
Funding Acknowledgements
Research reported in this publication was supported by:
¹ Van Andel Institute.
2
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of
Health under award no. R35GM151245 (Nowinski).
3
Van Andel Institute.
4
Van Andel Institute and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of
the National Institutes of Health under award no. R01AI165722 (Jones).
5
McLane Watson is a Damon Runyon Fellow supported by the Damon Runyon Cancer
Research Foundation (DRG-2495-23).
6
The NIH Common Fund and administered by the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award no.
DP2DK139569 (Burton).
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 funding
organizations.
RESEARCH
15

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.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
VAI scientists develop improved method for
studying metabolism
Groundbreaking research is fueled by advances in
technology and techniques. Thanks to a collaboration
between VAI’s Core Technologies and Services
and Department of Metabolism and Nutritional
Programming, scientists at the Institute and beyond
can more efficiently investigate the role of metabolism
in health and disease. They developed and validated a
new protocol for a commonly used test that reduces
variation, improves efficiency, maintains data fidelity
and maximizes use of precious samples — key
developments that will streamline workflows and
empower discovery.
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute.
16
3 VAI scientists named to elite
Highly Cited Researchers list
Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)
Russell Jones, Ph.D.
Peter W. Laird, Ph.D.
Drs. Peter A. Jones, Russell Jones and Peter W. Laird
were included in the 2023 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. Only
1 in 1,000 scientists are included on
the 2023 list.
Citations, or references to a
scientist’s published work by
other researchers, are universally
considered to be a measure of
influence and impact in the scientific
community. Jones, Jones and Laird have
appeared on the list in previous years.
Around
the
Institute
Translating impact from
the lab to the clinic
Van Andel Institute-Stand Up To
Cancer © (SU2C) Epigenetics
Dream Team
The Institute is home to the 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 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
(iLCT) 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 patients.
VAI-SU2C Epigenetics
Dream Team by the
numbers
4 clinical trials ongoing
(enrolling patients)
6 clinical trials in
correlative analyses
(enrollment closed)
6 clinical trials completed
over the life of the
program
Numbers current as of December 2023
iLCT by the numbers
21 clinical trials ongoing
20 clinical trials completed
over the life of the
program
Numbers current as of December 2023
RESEARCH
17

Van Andel Institute Principal Investigators
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.
Bios current as of December 2023.
Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc.
(hon)
Chief Scientific Officer; Director,
Cancer Center; Professor, Department
of Epigenetics
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.
J. Andrew Pospisilik, Ph.D.
Chair (December 2023 to present)
and 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 lifelong health
outlook at birth.
Xiaobing Shi, Ph.D.
Interim Chair (December 2022 to
December 2023) 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.
Dr. Baylin is a pioneer in this field
and was among the first to trace epigenetic causes of
cancer. His studies have led to new therapies for breast,
lung and colorectal cancers, among others. He is coleader
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.
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 explores the
origins of epigenetic mistakes in
cancer, which can provide insight
into how cancer arises. Dr. Laird
has developed several cuttingedge
technologies that he leverages to identify crucial
epigenetic alterations that convert otherwise healthy
cells into cancer cells. He is a principal investigator for
the National Cancer Institute’s Genome Data Analysis
Network and served in a leadership role for The Cancer
Genome Atlas, a now-completed multi-institutional
effort to molecularly map 33 different types of cancer.
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.
Scott Rothbart, Ph.D.
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.
Professor
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.
Piroska Szabó, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
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 on fertility and embryo development.
Timothy J. Triche, Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
As a statistician and
computational biologist with an
interest in clonal evolution and
cancers of the blood, the work
of Dr. Tim 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.
Professor
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.
RESEARCH
18
19

Van Andel Institute Principal Investigators
Department of
Neurodegenerative
Science
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.
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.
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 the earlier
interventions for depressive patients and to development
of a new class of antidepressants that target the
immune system. She also investigates how inflammatory
mechanisms can damage nerve cells in Parkinson’s
disease.
Hong-yuan Chu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
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.
Interim Dean, Van Andel Institute
Graduate School (June 2023 to
December 2023) and 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 highpowered
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.
Michael Henderson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
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.
Laurent Roybon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Studying complex diseases
requires equally sophisticated
tools. Dr. Laurent Roybon’s
team develops robust cell-based
models to enable breakthroughs
in Parkinson’s and other age-related neurodegenerative
diseases.
Qiang Zhu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
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 these diseases — an insight that has
provided novel targets for the development of new
therapies.
RESEARCH
20
21

Van Andel Institute Principal Investigators
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.
Matt Steensma, M.D.
Associate Professor
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
practicing surgeon at Corewell Health Helen DeVos
Children’s Hospital, he is committed to translating
scientific discoveries into treatments that improve
patients’ lives.
RESEARCH
22
Stephanie Grainger, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
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.
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.
Bart Williams, Ph.D.
Professor; Director, Core Technologies
and Services
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.
23

Van Andel Institute Principal Investigators
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.
Chair and Professor
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.
Associate Professor
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.
Associate Professor
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.
Assistant Professor
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.
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.
Chair and Professor
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.
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.
Connie Krawczyk, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
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.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Adelheid Lempradl
investigates how the dietary
choices 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.
Assistant Professor
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.
Assistant Professor
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
24
25

VAI scientists team up with high school students
to solve the challenge of insulin resistance
Dr. Nick Burton and his team are
hunting for a Type 2 diabetes cure in
their own backyards.
And in parks.
And in compost piles.
Anywhere with soil, really.
Why? Because the earth beneath our
feet is a fertile hunting ground for
undiscovered microbes, one of which
may hold the key to combating a driving
cause behind Type 2 diabetes — insulin
resistance.
The Burton Lab isn’t tackling this
project alone. They enlisted the help
of a passionate local science teacher
and a trio of tenacious high school
students, bringing together the potential
of scientific discovery with real-world
research experience.
A growing challenge
More than 35 million people in the
U.S. — roughly 10% of the population
— have Type 2 diabetes, according to
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. 1 Another 96 million —
or 38% — of people aged 18 and older
have higher-than-normal blood sugar
levels that put them at risk of developing
diabetes. 1 The long-term consequences
can be devastating; unless properly
managed, diabetes can cause heart
26
disease, kidney failure, vision loss and
mobility challenges. 2
Type 2 diabetes arises when the body
faces an influx of sugar over a long period
of time. High blood sugar levels are
dangerous and damaging, so the body
compensates by pushing the pancreas to
produce excess insulin, a hormone that
keeps blood sugar in check. Much like a
biological shepherd, insulin corrals sugar
into cells for immediate use or to be
stored until needed.
After enough time under these
conditions, cells can become insulin
resistant — they no longer respond when
insulin knocks at the proverbial door,
resulting in higher blood sugar levels
and, eventually, diabetes.
It’s this issue of resistance that is the
focal point of Burton’s work.
“The goal of our project is to design
or discover new ways to treat insulin
resistance using strategies that already
exist in nature,” Burton said. “We just
have to find them.”
Small but mighty
The whole project hinges on worms.
Nematodes to be exact.
They’re called Caenorhabditis elegans,
or C. elegans for short. Although small —
they’re best viewed under a microscope
— they offer scientists a powerful way to
study health and sleuth out the causes of
disease.
To date, these tiny creatures have
racked up an impressive resume: they
are responsible for two Nobel Prizes
in Physiology or Medicine as well as
countless discoveries that shed light on
diseases from cancer to neurological
disorders. They’re ideal research models
because they reproduce quickly, they’re
easy to work with and, importantly, they
share much of their biology with humans:
roughly two-thirds of their genes have a
human counterpart. 3
“A lot of the basic mechanisms that any
animal uses to regulate important things
like insulin signaling exists in worms the
same way it exists in humans,” Burton
explains. “In fact, some of our knowledge
about human insulin signaling actually
comes from discoveries made in worms.”
Importantly, C. elegans feed on bacteria.
They’re not particularly picky eaters,
which works out great for Burton and
his team, because their project relies
on finding microbes that possess a
mechanism for combating insulin
resistance. The trick is finding the right
ones.
That’s where the students come in.
Scientific synergy
Take one step into Heather DeJonge’s
classroom at Lowell High School and you
know you’re somewhere special.
Student-drawn neon renderings of cells
adorn the walls. Above the cabinets,
models of the DNA double helix spiral
toward the ceiling. A window at the back
of the room looks out into a glass-roofed
greenhouse filled with student-tended
plants.
And then there’s DeJonge herself.
She’s an educational dynamo, a teacher
who is deeply invested in fostering
curiosity in her students. It’s clear after
a few moments of conversation that she
does more than teach science.
She lives it.
In summer 2014 and 2015, DeJonge
worked at VAI, where she leveraged
C. elegans to study impacts of aging on
health. Then, in 2021, Burton arrived
at VAI as an assistant professor from
University of Cambridge in the U.K. He
revitalized C. elegans research at the
Institute and, during one of VAI’s High
School Journal Clubs, met DeJonge.
Together, they created a pilot program
that would give students in DeJonge’s
class real-world research experience
while also helping Burton’s search for an
insulin resistance fix.
“There is deep value in students doing
authentic research in high school,”
DeJonge said. “They can actually
contribute to something that’s not well
understood yet.”
The project is a far cry from the oftenstaid
experiments that are standard in
science curricula across the country.
There’s no correct answer and no
guarantee that students will find anything.
Instead, there is the potential of discovery
— and that’s a powerful motivator.
“As a former high school student,
I personally wasn’t excited about
reproducing experiments when we already
knew what the answers were supposed to
be. At that point, you just fail or recreate
something that’s already happened, but
there’s no chance of discovery,” Burton
said. “That’s what drives a lot of us who
work in the lab everyday — that chance.”
Real research, real impact
Lauren “Ren” Pearson, Faith Van Duinen
and McKenna Nietupski donned white
lab coats before setting petri dishes
packed with worms on the benchtop next
to their microscopes. For weeks, these
intrepid high school students braved the
temperamental Michigan autumn to seek
out soil samples to mine for bacteria. Some
of the samples came from the high school’s
lawn. Others hail from the Flat River that
meanders through downtown Lowell.
Several were sourced from Comstock Park,
which borders the northeast side of VAI’s
home city of Grand Rapids.
Their guide for the project was Darrick
Gates, a research technician in the Burton
RESEARCH
27

VAI Scientists team up with high school students
to solve the challenge of insulin resistance
Lab. Throughout fall 2022, Gates made
the half-hour trek to Lowell to help the
trio set up experiments, analyze what
they’re seeing and talk through next
steps.
In their classroom lab, Gates helped the
students add the bacteria they gathered
to the plates to see how the worms react.
Do they go about business as usual? Do
they seem more active? Or do they seem
sluggish and lethargic?
The worms are canaries in a coal mine,
bellwethers for breakthroughs. If insulinresistant
worms get healthier in the
presence of certain bacteria, that’s a sign
that the microbes could have what it
takes to curb insulin resistance.
Regardless of the eventual results, the
students say, it’s the journey and the
possibility of finding something wholly
unique that drives their work.
“It really is a learning process. If you
mess up one time, why did you mess up?
I like going back to figure out what works
and what doesn’t,” Van Duinen said.
“That in itself can be an experiment.”
Pearson jumps in: “There’s no wrong
answer. There’s just a thousand notquite-right
ones.”
“And on top of that,” Nietupski adds, “I
like how there’s always something new.
28
There will always be things that have not
been discovered yet.”
From Lowell to the lab
Back at VAI, Gates and Burton gathered
around a glowing computer monitor
depicting a split-screen of two groups
of worms, their images projected from
a pair of plates sitting under a nearby
microscope.
Half are healthy and writhing. The other
half are listless.
All of them offer clues into the
innerworkings of insulin resistance.
While the students were hard at work in
Lowell, Burton’s lab tackled the technical
aspects of the project. This includes
screening soil samples to identify known
microbes and flag new ones. The most
promising sample came from close
to home — a compost pile in Gates’
backyard.
So far, the Burton Lab has found three
bacteria with the potential to impact
insulin resistance. The work is far from
over — fully analyzing each one is an
arduous process that can take a year or
more.
“Our dream is that we characterize these
bacteria, and we find something that
works,” Burton said. “In the long term,
we want to translate our basic findings
from the lab into the clinic where we can
actually help people.”
There is deep precedent for mining
bacteria for new medicines. The
antibiotics streptomycin, vancomycin
and tetracycline were all derived from
soil bacteria. 4 Rapamycin, which helps
prevent rejection in organ transplants
and has anti-cancer properties, was
isolated from a bacterium dug from
the soil of Rapa Nui, also known as
Easter Island. 5 The chemotherapy agent
bleomycin was discovered by scientists
after screening Streptomyces bacteria in
search of a species that could be used in
drug development. 6
That’s the kind of breakthrough Burton
and his team are working toward.
They’ve already had some exciting early
results that Burton hopes to publish in
a scientific journal sometime in the next
year. Although the findings aren’t ready
to be shared yet, the nature of research
offers a tantalizing promise for what’s to
come.
The start of something big
In many ways, this project is only the
beginning.
The beginning of a possible new way to
treat insulin resistance and, with it, Type
2 diabetes.
The beginning of a collaboration
designed to inspire curiosity.
And, for many, the beginning of a fresh
way to think about the ground beneath
our feet.
The power of science is rooted in the
unknown and what we might find when
we take the simple step of asking a
question. For the students, the chance to
contribute to real research has opened a
new world of possibility, one that offers
revelations for those who choose to
search.
“There really aren’t a ton of other
schools that do what we’re doing with
this,” said Pearson. “This has been an
incredible opportunity to do some real
scientific exploration in a setting where
we’re supported by teachers, peers and
incredible scientists.”
As the analysis continues in Burton’s
lab, there is a current of excitement,
a constant hum of possibility that
something unexpected could be right
around the corner. What if a simple
clod of dirt and the microbes within —
from Lowell, from Grand Rapids, from
Rockford — could be the key to a lifechanging
breakthrough?
“The possibilities are endless,” Burton
said. “I can’t wait to see what comes
next.”
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute.
References
1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. Type 2 diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html.
2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. National Diabetes Statistics Report. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/
data/statistics-report/index.html.
3
Zhang S, Li F, Zhou T, Wang G, Li Z. 2020. Caenorhabditis elegans as a useful model for studying aging mutations. Front
Endocrinol 11.
4
Li W. 2020. Bacteria: The drug factory you’d never expect. Harvard University Science in the News. https://sitn.hms.
harvard.edu/flash/2020/bacteria-the-drug-factory-youd-never-expect/.
5
Seto B. 2012. Rapamycin and mTOR: a serendipitous discovery and implications for breast cancer. Clin Transl Med 1:29.
6
American Chemical Society. 2020. Bleomycin. https://www.acs.org/molecule-of-the-week/archive/b/bleomycin.html.
RESEARCH
29

Graduate School
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 pairing 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.
Housed across the street from the Institute’s main
facility and next to Van Andel Institute for Education,
the Graduate School features modern classrooms
and workstations designed to fuel collaboration. The
flexible space is designed for comfortable growth
and evolution, allowing students to tackle innovative
approaches to learning.
Graduate School by the numbers
51 Students enrolled
44 Students graduated (40 Ph.D.; 4 M.S.)
1.25:1 Student:faculty ratio
5.2 Years on average time to degree
79% Cumulative graduation rate
Numbers current as of September 2023.
RESEARCH
30
31

Van Andel Institute welcomes new
Graduate School dean and chief academic officer
Van Andel Institute appointed Dr. Eric C. Swindell as dean and chief academic
officer of Van Andel Institute Graduate School.
Swindell joined the Institute after a distinguished 25-year career in scientific
research, with the past several years dedicated to leadership positions in biomedical
graduate education. He brings a proven track record as a dynamic, energetic and
motivational team builder who possesses a deep understanding of science graduate
education and a robust commitment to collaboration and inclusiveness.
“I am excited to join Van Andel Institute and honored to lead the Graduate School
in continuing to train the scientific leaders of the future,” Swindell said. “The
combination of cutting-edge research, innovative educational programming and the
ability to make paradigm-shifting discoveries makes Van Andel Institute a unique
home for all trainees.”
Previously associate dean at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor
College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, Swindell comes to Van Andel Institute
Graduate School with an extensive background in research as well as graduate
education administration, including recruitment, admissions, academic affairs,
promotions and curriculum. His experience includes academic leadership roles at
the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of
Biomedical Sciences and UTHealth Houston.
“There is no doubt Dr. Swindell will build on the Graduate School’s strong foundations
to sustain and extend our impact on the scientists of tomorrow,” said Dr. Peter A.
Jones, VAI chief scientific officer and Graduate School president. “His vision for the
Graduate School’s future is bold and exciting. In close collaboration with our faculty,
he will further elevate our ability to train graduate students to lead in academia and
industry.”
Swindell has deep technical expertise and has held research positions at Baylor
College of Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Max Planck Institute
and the University of Texas. The recipient of several prestigious awards and honors,
Swindell has served on multiple academic and research committees and published
several high-impact papers.
Born in Bermuda, Swindell earned his undergraduate degree in microbiology from
the University of Texas at Austin and his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Baylor College
of Medicine. He completed postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and Baylor College of Medicine before joining the faculty at University of
Texas McGovern Medical School.
“His vision for the Graduate School’s future is bold and exciting. In
close collaboration with our faculty, he will further elevate our ability
to train graduate students to lead in academia and industry.”
— Dr. Peter A. Jones
“The combination of
cutting-edge research,
innovative educational
programming and
the ability to make
paradigm-shifting
discoveries makes
Van Andel Institute an
exceptional home for
all trainees.”
— Dr. Eric C. Swindell
RESEARCH
32
33

Van Andel Institute
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 brings the spirit of research into classrooms,
building spaces where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive. Through
the development of inquiry-based approaches, VAI educators help teachers,
administrators and parents elevate the next generation of problem solvers.
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.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Students discover what’s in their water
VAI for Education worked alongside elementary students from Grand Rapids
Christian as they learned about the valuable role watersheds play in maintaining
a healthy water supply. VAI’s learning specialists led students through several
activities in which they tested different methods of cleaning contaminated
water and experimented with models of density. Once students had collected
information, they worked together to share this newfound knowledge with the
community using detailed and informative projects. The event taught students
how learning could be memorable, meaningful and fun, and forged a promising
collaboration between VAI and the Grand Rapids Christian Schools.
Teachers and students shoot for the stars
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy (MGLVA) partnered with VAI for Education
to host two Curiosity on Wheels events, which brings science experiences directly
to the community. Students and their families had the opportunity to think and
act like scientists and engineers while participating in a series of STEM-centered
learning investigations. Additionally, more than 100 MGLVA educators attended
VAI’s Flex PD learning sessions, where they experienced the benefits of projectbased
learning, along with practical and approachable strategies for implementing
science concepts in their classrooms.
Welcoming inquiry-based educators
Science on the Grand, VAI’s conference for inquiry-based educators, attracted
157 participants from 17 states and Canada. This 35% increase in attendance from
2022 underscores its value to educators and enthusiasts. One attendee shared,
“Science on the Grand reminded me that science is for everyone, and the more
we can make it place-based, engaging, cross curricular and infused in the arts
and literature, the more success we’re going to have in teaching it and students
retaining it.” Science on the Grand is committed to delivering research-based and
classroom-tested content, bridging the gap between theory and practice. With
its ability to adapt to the evolving needs of educators, Science on the Grand has
become a cornerstone event in science education, promising continued impact for
years to come.
K–12 EDUCATION
36
37

K-12 Education
Bringing science to
summer camps
Van Andel Institute for Education’s
K–12 2023 summer camps saw student
attendance more than double:
674 participants joined a one-day or
four-day summer camp in science,
engineering and robotics. With a
stunning 182% growth rate over
last year, these summer camps are
demonstrating their incredible potential
for future expansion and impact. Parents
and students alike raved about the
camps, which were spotlighted by local
media outlets, further solidifying VAI’s
reputation as a provider of exceptional
K–12 STEM experiences.
In 2023, VAI for Education expanded its reach by:
Serving 5,650 students: An increase of 102% over
the previous school year.
Serving 5,515 teachers in 12 states: a 139%
increase over the previous school year.
K–12 EDUCATION
Engaging with 15,514 educators nationwide — a 59%
increase over the previous school year — by providing
free instructional resources such as Timely Topic Lessons,
Thought Leadership Webinars, and more.
38
39

Events &
Philanthropy
THROUGH DONATIONS, SPONSORSHIPS AND A SHARED
PASSION FOR THE FUTURE, VAI’S COMMUNITY OF SUPPORTERS
RAISES MILLIONS TO FUEL A BETTER TOMORROW.

Winterfest Celebration
Grand Rapids’ winter extravaganza
returned for the 18th year, combining
food, cocktails and generosity to support
Parkinson’s disease research. Guests
were treated to an unforgettable dinner
at the stunning Cascade Hills Country
Club, along with the opportunity to bid on
unique auction packages. This iconic event
directly fuels groundbreaking research
into Parkinson’s and life-changing new
treatments.
Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Buist
Electric.
Carol Van Andel Angel of Excellence
Dinner & Award Presentation
The annual Carol Van Andel Angel
of Excellence Dinner & Award
Presentation recognizes those who have
demonstrated a strong commitment to
VAI’s mission through volunteer service
and philanthropic efforts. The award
celebrates philanthropists, volunteers
and advocates whose undeniable
generosity and tireless determination
furthers VAI’s ability to improve the
health and enhance the lives of current
and future generations. The 2023 award
recipients were Holly Barker, Dr. Jim and
Martie Bultman, Hope College, Howard
Miller Company, and Jane Zwiers.
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR LEFT,
GOING CLOCKWISE) MARANDA
CHATS WITH KAREN CUSTER;
DR. DARREN MOORE DELIVERS
REMARKS; DAVID VAN ANDEL;
GUEST PARTICIPATES IN PADDLE
RAISE; DAVID & CAROL VAN ANDEL
(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR
LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE)
JANE ZWIERS & CAROL
VAN ANDEL; HOLLY BARKER &
CAROL VAN ANDEL;
BUZZ MILLER & CAROL
VAN ANDEL; DR. JIM & MARTIE
BULTMAN & CAROL VAN ANDEL;
HOPE COLLEGE FOOTBALL
COACH PETER STUURSMA,
CAROL VAN ANDEL & HOPE
COLLEGE PRESIDENT
MATT SCOGIN
42
43

Around the World
Hosted by VAI’s JBoard Ambassadors,
Around the World kickstarts the Grand
Rapids summer with a combination
of artisan wine and local food — all
in support of Van Andel Institute for
Education. The evening features fine
wines from around the region, along
with a presentation from VAI for
Education, showcasing the curiosity,
creativity and critical thinking possible
with modern approaches to learning.
Thank you to our Title Sponsor,
Lake Michigan Credit Union.
Fash Forward with Max Mara:
Spring/Summer Fashion Show
World-renowned Italian brand Max
Mara returned to Grand Rapids for a
one-of-a-kind fashion experience. The
gathering featured an intimate lunch
alongside an exclusive runway show
featuring Max Mara’s Spring/Summer
2023 Collection. Guests received
VIP access to a Max Mara shopping
experience featuring a specially curated
selection of the brand’s unique offerings.
All proceeds directly funded biomedical
research and education programs at the
Institute.
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR
LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE)
CAROL VAN ANDEL; MAX
MARA STORE DIRECTOR
DANNY MILLER; MAX MARA
SHOPPING EXPERIENCE;
MAX MARA FASHION
PRESENTATION
(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE)
GUESTS GATHER FOR REMARKS; CAROL & DAVID
VAN ANDEL; JBOARD CO-CHAIR BLAKE CRABB BIDS
ON SILENT AUCTION ITEMS; GUESTS PARTICIPATE IN
EDUCATION PRESENTATION; GUESTS BROWSE ARTISAN
WINE SELECTIONS
44
45

VAI Open —
Corporate Charity Pickleball Event
America's fastest growing sport,
combined with support for biomedical
research, made for a successful inaugural
VAI Open, a round robin tournament
held on the rooftop of the Amway Grand
Plaza Hotel. Before the tournament,
players gathered for an intimate dinner
and auction at MDRD, all in support of
research and education at the Institute.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors,
MDRD, Rooftop Pickleball and 20x44 Sports.
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR LEFT, GOING
CLOCKWISE) PICKLEBALL PLAYERS;
ADVANCED PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT WINNERS;
CAROL VAN ANDEL; PLAYERS FACE OFF;
DAVID VAN ANDEL; COURTS ATOP AMWAY
GRAND PLAZA HOTEL; BEGINNER PICKLEBALL
TOURNAMENT WINNERS; GEORGE AQUINO
PREPARES PLAYERS FOR TOURNAMENT;
SILENT AUCTION
46
47

JBoard Member Mixer
VAI’s JBoard Ambassadors are a group of
vibrant early to mid-career professionals
from Grand Rapids and beyond, all
sharing in the belief of a brighter,
healthier future. Together, they work
to create a healthier tomorrow through
VAI’s mission, supporting research and
education at the Institute. Every year,
JBoard members gather for a mixer
featuring VAI postdoctoral fellows — the
perfect opportunity to discuss ideas,
passions and goals for the future.
Van Andel
Institute
Golf Outing
Returning to the stunning Wuskowhan
Players Club, the VAI Golf Outing brought
together community members, businesses
and local organizations for an afternoon
of golf and discovery. The event featured a
drone-drop raffle, silent auction, dinner and
golf tournament, along with remarks from
this year’s guest speaker, Kavon Frazier, a
six-year NFL veteran originally from Grand
Rapids.
Thank you to our Title Sponsor, the Timothy
Long and William Mackay Group of Merrill
Lynch.
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR
LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE)
JBOARD CO-CHAIRS RACHEL
MRAZ & BLAKE CRABB;
JBOARD GUESTS ENJOY
THE MIXER; GUESTS VIEW
PIZZA OFFERINGS; JBOARD
AMBASSADORS MINGLE
WITH GUESTS
(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR LEFT,
GOING CLOCKWISE) GOLFERS
GATHER ON THE GREEN;
JACK DOLES, RICK VANDENBERG
& KAVON FRAZIER;
DAVID VAN ANDEL;
GOLFERS WALK THE COURSE;
CAROL VAN ANDEL & MARY STUIT
48
49

Couture for a Cure
West Michigan’s signature evening of
fashion, fun and philanthropy, Couture for
a Cure returned for its 18th year. Co-hosts
Carol Van Andel and Rebecca Wierda guided
guests through a fashion presentation by
Leigh's, featuring unique insight into the
latest styles and trends, along with the latest
products from Artistry. Couture welcomed
featured designer SIMKHAI along with its
founder Jonathan Simkhai for an exclusive
look into the studio’s iconic garments. A
strolling cocktail hour and silent auction
allowed guests to interact, while those
looking for fresh makeup inspiration and
innovative skincare visited the Artistry
beauty bar.
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Amway, and
our Presenting Sponsors, Leigh’s and
SIMKHAI.
(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR LEFT,
GOING CLOCKWISE)
CAROL VAN ANDEL; MODEL PARADES
THE RUNWAY; MODEL SHOWS OFF
LATEST LOOKS; JONATHAN SIMKHAI;
RUNWAY MODELS; CAROL VAN ANDEL,
JONATHAN SIMKHAI & REBECCA
WIERDA; GUESTS GATHER ON THE
DANCE FLOOR; GUESTS TAKE PHOTOS
NEAR THE RUNWAY; JEFFERY ROBERTS
& DAVID VAN ANDEL
50
51

Hope on the Hill Gala — Under the Sea
Hope on the Hill, the Institute's signature
gala, returned for its 23rd year, this
time bringing guests deep into the blue
depths of the ocean floor to unravel
the mysteries of cancer, Parkinson’s
and other diseases. Attendees enjoyed
a selection of exquisite food and drinks
while perusing a silent auction filled with
unforgettable experiences and unique
items. The evening featured stunning
performances from classical singing
sensation Victory Brinker — Guinness
World Record’s Youngest Opera Singer
and finalist on “America’s Got Talent.”
Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Fifth
Third Private Bank.
A Conversation About Fueling Metabolism —
Hosted by Carol Van Andel
The word “metabolism” often inspires
thoughts of food and diet — but it is much
more than what we eat. Metabolism fuels
our day-to-day lives, and problems with
metabolism can contribute to disease.
Carol Van Andel was joined by Maranda
and Dr. Sara Nowinski for a discussion on
metabolism and its effects on health.
Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Howard
Miller Company.
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR LEFT,
GOING CLOCKWISE)
DAVID VAN ANDEL, CAROL
VAN ANDEL & VICTORY BRINKER;
VICTORY BRINKER PERFORMS;
DAVID VAN ANDEL; GUESTS HIT
THE DANCE FLOOR;
GUESTS BROWSE SILENT AUCTION
(STARTING AT THE TOP FAR
LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE)
CAROL VAN ANDEL GREETS
GUESTS; DR. SARA NOWINSKI
CHATS WITH MARANDA;
GUEST ASKS QUESTION;
DR. SARA NOWINSKI
DELIVERS REMARKS
52
53

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.
Winterfest Celebration
Rob & Dawn Arnoys
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Bluewater Technologies
Buist Electric
Calamos Investments
Jerry & Suzanne Callahan
Custer Inc.
Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh
The Doubleday Family Trust
Edge Natural Resources LLC
Ernst & Young
FastSigns
Fiduciary Financial Advisors
Grand Rapids Christian Schools
Jana Hall
Harvey Automotive
King Street Capital Management
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Macatawa Bank
Michigan State University College of
Human Medicine
Michael & Sally Murdock
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.
Pioneer Construction
PL Capital Advisors, LLC
Red Glasses Movement
Rockford Construction
Rycenga Building Center
S. Abraham & Sons, Inc.
SHARPE
Straight Line Design
Trillium Investments
Trinity Health Grand Rapids
Mike & Gayle VanGessel
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
West Michigan Woman
Robert & Karen Wiltz
Around the World
Alliance Beverage Distributing
Jerry & Suzanne Callahan
Blake Crabb
Mimi Cummings
David & Carol Van Andel Family
Foundation
Jeffrey & Kate DeLongchamp
Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh
Eileen DeVries Family Foundation
Element Four
Greenridge Realty, Inc.
Matt & Sarah Jones
KM Online Marketing
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Leigh’s
NVINT
Studio M Interiors
Tripp & Katie VanderWal
West Michigan Woman
Wicked Pro Events
Fash Forward
Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh
Max Mara
Mark & Mary Beth Meijer
Greg & Meg Willit
VAI Open
20x44 Sports
AHC Hospitality
Amway
David & Carol Van Andel Family
Foundation
Eenhoorn
Jojo+Lo Pickleball
Kurt & Jena Lacks
Tim & Kim Long
MDRD
Pioneer Construction
Regal Financial Group
Rockford Construction
Rooftop Pickleball
Steve & Cheryl Timyan
Two by Four
University of Michigan Health-West
VAI Golf Outing
Advantage Commercial Real Estate
Berends Hendricks Stuit Insurance
Agency Inc.
Bluewater Technologies
Custer Inc.
David & Carol Van Andel Family
Foundation
The John Dykema & Michele
Maly-Dykema Family Foundation
Erhardt Construction
First National Bank of Michigan
Gallagher
Grand Rapids Christian Schools
Ben & Molly Hunting
Life EMS Ambulance
Loomis, Sayles & Company
Macatawa Bank
Making the Turn Against Parkinson’s
McAlvey Merchant & Associates
M.D. Sass Associates Inc.
Merrill Lynch — Timothy Long &
William Mackay
Midwest Capital Advisors
Northern Jet Management
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health
Services
Priority Health
Rockford Construction
John & Therese Rowerdink
Secrest Wardle
SHARPE
Standard Supply & Lumber/Zeeland
Lumber
Tom & Mary Stuit
Summit Point Roofing
University of Michigan Health-West
US Bank
Dave & Beth VanPortfliet
Wells Fargo
West Michigan Woman
Couture for a Cure
Acrisure
Amway
Andy J. Egan Co.
Bengtson Center for Aesthetics &
Plastic Surgery
Bluewater Technologies
Chuck & Christine Boelkins
Dan & Sherry Bowen
Cheeky Strut
Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors
CWD Real Estate Investment
Davenport University
David & Carol Van Andel Family
Foundation
Jeffrey & Kate DeLongchamp
Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh
Eileen DeVries Family Foundation
Eurest
First National Bank of Michigan
Gallagher
Patti Griswold
Jana Hall
Kurt & Madelon Hassberger
Paul & Sheryl Haverkate
Dave & Donna Hockstra
J.C. & Tammy Huizenga
Bill & Starr Humphries
Jandernoa Foundation
Jeffery Roberts Design
Dr. Peter & Veronica Jones
Kool Auto Group
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Leigh’s
Life EMS Ambulance
McAlvey Merchant & Associates
Pediatric Dental Specialists of
West Michigan
Alanna Rynders
Scott Group Studio
SHARPE
SIMKHAI
Jack & Lori Skoog
Scott & Jan Spoelhof
The Steve & Amy Van Andel Foundation
Trinity Health Grand Rapids
Sharon Van Dellen
Mike & Gayle VanGessel
Brian & Colleen Walker
Vicky Weller
West Michigan Woman
Greg & Meg Willit
XYZ Motors
Hope on the Hill — Under the Sea
Al & Robin Koop Foundation
Amway
Aon
Bill & Amy Bennett
Betz Industries
BHS Insurance
Dave & Jill Bielema
Bluewater Technologies
Chuck & Christine Boelkins
Buist Electric
Jerry & Suzanne Callahan
Ryan & Jessica Cook
Mimi Cummings
Tom & Tracy Curran
Custer Inc.
David & Carol Van Andel Family
Foundation
Discovery Financial
Eenhoorn
Ellis Parking Company
Ferris State University
Fifth Third Private Bank
Fox Family Foundation
Gallagher
Grand Rapids Christian Schools
Grand Valley State University
Martin & Peggy Greydanus
Jana Hall
Hansen/Balk Steel Treating Co.
Hope College
Howard Miller Company
J.C. & Tammy Huizenga
Ice Guru
ICN Foundation
Jandernoa Foundation
John Ball Zoo
Matt & Sarah Jones
Dr. Peter & Veronica Jones
John & Nancy Kennedy
Craig & Debra Kinney
Josh & Connie Kooistra
Blake & Mary Krueger
John & Katie Kuiper
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Ray & Jeannine Lanning
Gary & Vicky Ludema
Macatawa Bank
Meijer
The Meijer Foundation
Merrill Lynch — Timothy Long &
William Mackay
Michigan State University College of
Human Medicine
New Holland Brewing Co.
NPF Investment Advisors
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.
PageWorks
Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation
Pioneer Construction
Pitsch Companies
Plastic Surgery Associates
Priority Health
Quality Air Service, Inc.
Rockford Construction
Eve Rogus & Paul Becker in memory of
Clementine “Teenie” Rogus
Rowerdink Inc
Tony & Dawn Semple
SHARPE
David & Linda Spencer
Rob & Susan Stafford
Steelcase
Stephen Klotz Family Foundation
Duke Suwyn
Trinity Health
University of Michigan Health-West
Mike & Michelle Van Dyke
Dan & Ann Van Eerden
Bob & Grace VanTimmeren
Christian & Kara VerMeulen
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Wells Fargo
West Michigan Woman
Williams Family
Greg & Meg Willit
Wolverine Worldwide
Jim & Jane Zwiers
A Conversation About Fueling
Metabolism
Amway
Cornerstone University
Gallagher
Grand Rapids African American
Health Institute
Howard Miller Company
Kent County Medical Society Alliance
Leigh’s
Truscott Rossman
Wedgewood Christian Services
West Michigan Woman
Western Theological Seminary
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
54
55

Nurturing education & science in Grand Rapids
Throughout Beatrice “Bea” Idema’s life she believed in helping others. In 2010, her passion took on a new shape
through the founding of the Bea Aldrink Idema Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting a
variety of causes with an emphasis on education. Over the last decade, the Foundation has supported projects and
organizations across West Michigan — including Van Andel Institute — partnering with those who share Idema’s
bright vision for the region.
The foundation’s members are Peter, Chad, and Vincent Versluis, and Tonya Williamson. They actively seek out
causes that they believe will have a substantial impact on the community, causes that share Bea’s vision of making
West Michigan a great place to live.
The BAI Foundation believes that children are our greatest assets. It is a guiding principle for various partnerships,
including multiple years supporting VAI’s K–12 education programs. The Foundation’s generosity has bolstered
student programs such as summer camps and field trips, while also enhancing teacher capacity by supporting the
development of thought-provoking and practical classroom resources, including teacher webinars.
Particularly when it comes to science, Peter and Tonya believe in hands-on opportunities for students. “The
experience beyond the classroom is increasingly important,” Peter said. “We have been able to see and even
participate in the field trip activities at VAI. It was the perfect mix being both challenging and fun.”
VAI offers a unique opportunity to have hands-on learning in a real scientific setting. The education facilities are
adjacent to the Institute’s main building, where scientists from around the world are researching diseases that
affect almost everyone, including cancer and Parkinson’s. The aim of the BAI partnership with VAI is to equip a new
generation of future scientists to take up the baton and continue the race.
For the siblings, leading the foundation in the name of their aunt is challenging and rewarding, Tonya said.
Together, they’re working to further Bea’s vision of a healthier, smarter, and brighter Grand Rapids, and they believe
supporting education is one of the best ways to make an impact.
“The experience
beyond the classroom
is increasingly
important. We have
been able to see and
even participate in
the field trip activities
at VAI. It was the
perfect mix being both
challenging and fun.”
— Peter Versluis
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
“Bea believed in the people of West Michigan, and so do we,” Tonya said. “Every step we take moves the city forward,
making it a desirable place to live while it maintains its values and charm.”
PETER VERSLUIS & TONYA WILLIAMSON
56
57

At the crossroads of
community & research
For more than a decade, Matt Cook has worked to empower
communities. As the vice president of community relations
at Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU), he oversees the
organization’s efforts in philanthropy, sponsorships and
volunteerism — a task that would lead to a partnership with
Van Andel Institute.
LMCU, which is celebrating its 90th year, was founded by a Grand
Rapids Public Schools teacher, Cook said, which cemented its deep
values of community support from the very beginning. Outreach
started with a focus on employee volunteering, with staff sharing
their time and talents when able. Since then, LMCU’s efforts have
grown to encompass events, partnerships and an increasing number
of volunteers.
“It’s rather incredible, because we can tell people this is
happening in their state, county, maybe even the very
city they’re in,” Cook said. “It’s a mission they believe in,
they can see the work being done, and it’s happening
close to home — it connects all the dots.”
Since then, LMCU has deepened its partnership
with VAI, with more than 15 years of support for
the Institute’s signature events. LMCU is the title
sponsor for Around the World, a celebration of summer
benefiting Van Andel Institute for Education’s K-12
programs. Keeping with its founding values, LMCU’s
sponsorship helps create classrooms where curiosity,
creativity and critical thinking thrive.
VAI’s inquiry-based learning professional development
opportunities.
In 2019, VAI’s mission became even more personal, as
Cook’s father-in-law was diagnosed with Parkinson’s
disease. His family began to dig deeper into VAI’s
research by attending the Institute’s free Public
Lecture Series, speaking with scientists at events and
reading the Institute’s publications to get a better
understanding of the disease. Cook described VAI as a
“unique gem,” a place that he and his family could use
to support Parkinson’s research while gaining a deeper
understanding of the disease.
“As a family, and as a community, it’s really important
to have VAI as a conduit for biomedical research and
learning,” Cook said. “You think about the development
taking place along Medical Mile and wonder if those
things would even exist without the initial investment
to start the Institute. From a donor and personal
perspective, you build a connection with the cause
because you get to see the scientists and leaders that
are making the research happen.”
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
“We’re a not-for-profit institution that recognizes our employees and
members are a part of the communities we serve,” Cook said. “We
need to continue to invest in those communities to ensure they are
thriving.”
That outreach coincided with the start of another group that
supports grassroots outreach, VAI Purple Community. Purple
Community is a dynamic community awareness and fundraising
program that connects individuals, schools, teams and companies
with the resources needed to take action.
LMCU has been a part of Purple Community nearly since its
inception, Cook said. The credit union played a key role during some
of the earliest days, gathering volunteers from their branches to
support events at local schools. They provided logistical support
too, gathering donations in a way that felt safe and efficient for
community members.
PHOTO CREDIT: OLIVIA ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Their support doesn’t end there — LMCU is a longtime
sponsor of Couture for a Cure, Grand Rapid’s fashion
extravaganza, and Hope on the Hill, the Institute’s gala
honoring science, discovery and the heroes working to
understand disease. LMCU is still guiding community
outreach efforts, bringing volunteers and support to
the Grand Rapids Griffins Purple Community Game and
other VAI and Purple Community events.
“These gatherings help keep the Institute moving
forward, connecting scientists, businesses and
organizations to build the network we need to detangle
these diseases — and it’s an honor to say LMCU plays a
part in making the events happen,” Cook said.
Cook shares his own connection to the Institute beyond
his role at LMCU. He’s been a part of VAI’s JBoard
Ambassadors and regularly attends VAI’s events — you’ll
even see his family deep dive into STEM every year
at Curiosity Hour. They even carry VAI’s passion for
science education beyond the event: His wife, Carlie, is
a high school science teacher, and has participated in
58
59

Supporting a shared mission
Matt and Sarah Jones knew the surface details of Van Andel Institute but for
years, they didn’t have the opportunity to learn about its work beyond what they
saw of the building. Years later, when they moved back to Grand Rapids, they
searched for a place to get involved and make an impact. VAI was the perfect
match.
“Looking back now, there really is nothing quite like the Institute,” Sarah said. “It’s a
place we can support right in our backyard while knowing it has a worldwide impact.”
The couple first became involved by joining the JBoard, VAI’s network of early
and mid-career professionals in 2020. It was an unusual time, as the COVID-19
pandemic disrupted in-person gatherings and events. For their first year as JBoard
Ambassadors, the couple could only experience virtual events. While it wasn’t what
they originally expected, the virtual gatherings still proved fruitful.
Their increasing involvement is driven by an endless desire to improve the world
around them. Both Matt and Sarah have seen family and friends come face-to-face
with disease, experiences that shape their belief in biomedical research.
“Even when I don’t understand every bit of the science, I still hear the mission — that’s
what I love about the scientists, you can tell they’re truly passionate about being
here,” Matt said.
Meeting scientists, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students brings a valuable
personal touch to the Jones’ relationship with VAI. For Sarah, a Grand Rapids native,
it’s an opportunity to see beyond the Purple Community events she heard of as a
child. Learning more about the research and hearing it’s taking place in her home
makes it easy to support the mission.
“You hear of scientists and students coming from around the world because of
the Institute. It’s inspiring, and you have to imagine it’s driving bigger and better
things for Grand Rapids.” — Sarah Jones
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
“Those early virtual events gave us the opportunity to focus entirely on hearing about
the science, something that was incredibly important to us,” Matt said. “Everything
was a bit more difficult back then, but hearing about the research was inspiring, and it
made it clear to us that we were in the right place.”
In the years since, they have stepped up their commitment to the Institute, not only
by attending gatherings but also by donating auction packages and sponsoring events.
Sarah is also a part of the Around the World planning committee, helping organize the
JBoard Ambassadors’ kickoff to summer.
Together, they’re excited to see that mission grow beyond the walls of the Institute.
They aim to continue supporting VAI, attending events and providing a helping hand
when able — and they’re eager to see how the Institute and city evolve.
“You hear of scientists and students coming from around the world because of the
Institute,” Sarah said. “It’s inspiring, and you have to imagine it’s driving bigger and
better things for Grand Rapids.”
60
61

A Mini fandom with major impact
Passion comes in all forms. For some, it’s sports or
books, but for Jim Cvelbar, it’s a deep love for his
Mini Cooper vehicle. This love led him to drive more
than 57,000 miles around the country to various Mini
gatherings — and eventually start raising thousands
of dollars for biomedical research at Van Andel
Institute.
Cvelbar purchased his first Mini in 2015, and driving it
instantly became one of his favorite hobbies. He found
himself deeply fascinated by every aspect of the Mini,
from its unique handling to the radical paint jobs many
owners employ to customize their vehicles. He wanted
to meet other drivers, see more cars and be a part of a
community. While there was a “Mini Enthusiast” club,
the members weren’t active, Cvelbar said, and he wanted
a group that would do things, ideally using the passion
for the vehicles for something greater.
”We have these cars that stand out and are a blast to
drive,” Cvelbar said. “They’re designed to be fun, so we
should be having fun with them.”
In 2016, Cvelbar co-founded the Northeast Ohio
MINIacs, a group dedicated to building a passionate Mini
community. It started small — ice cream meetups with
five, maybe 10 Minis showing up to snap some photos
and share a few stories. Since then, the group has grown
to a community of more than 2,500 members, with some
joining from far beyond the Northeast Ohio area.
As the NEO MINIacs traveled across the Midwest,
Cvelbar started to notice larger, more organized events.
This was the first time he saw the MINIacs as something
more than a group of passionate Mini owners, he said.
62
“We saw these events that weren’t just a ton of fun,
but were using Minis to raise money for charity,
support local businesses and do something for the
communities they live in,” Cvelbar said.
The group began looking for bigger experiences,
ideally ones that backed a worthwhile cause. In 2017,
Cvelbar heard of MINI on the Mack, an event that
gathers thousands of Minis at the Mackinac Bridge in
an attempt to break the world record for the largest
Mini parade, all while raising funds for the biomedical
research initiatives taking place at VAI. The event is
sponsored by MINI dealer and VAI supporter SHARPE,
bringing an elevated level of expertise for those
looking to learn more about Minis. The NEO MINIacs
knew they had to be there, and Cvelbar led a group of
18 cars from Cleveland to Mackinaw City.
“We felt like celebrities,” Cvelbar said. “People
everywhere were taking photos of our cars, and it was
incredible to see so many other passionate drivers
gathered for a good cause.”
Cvelbar found the gathering particularly emotional,
as his mother is a cancer survivor. It was breathtaking
to see thousands of people sharing in his interest, he
said, all while knowing they’re here to support a better
future.
“I’m lucky to say my mom had — yes, had! — cancer,
and it’s because of the research and treatments that
have come from supporting organizations like
Van Andel Institute.”
Cvelbar and the NEO MINIacs returned to the
Mackinac Bridge in August, where the event raised
more than $31,000 for VAI.
“I’m lucky to say
my mom had —
yes, had! — cancer,
and it’s because of
the research and
treatments that have
come from supporting
organizations like
Van Andel Institute.”
— Jim Cvelbar
EVENTS & PHILANTHROPY
63

Philanthropy
Circle of Hope Anonymous (6)
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 December 2023.)
By the numbers
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
Jerry & Suzanne Callahan
William & Marilyn
Crawford
Dr. Glenn & Patrice
Deibert
Barbara Erhards
J. Scott Grill*
Jana Hall
Joan Hammersmith*
Terry & Jacklyn Hickman
Arthur J. Jabury*
Maryanna Johnson
Karen S. Kamerschen, Ph.D.
& Robert E. Pearson, M.D.*
Dennis* & Joanne* Kozarek
Reneé Kuipers*
Bertil 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 & Barbara Shaw
Ralph Siegel*
George Sietsema*
Eva Sonneville*
Alvin* & Hylda* Tuuk
John Van Fossen
John J. Visser*
Robert* & Greta*
Wellington
Carol Winton*
John Wisneski*
*Indicates deceased
Circle of Hope member
Institute Leadership Team
David Van Andel
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.
Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)
Chief Scientific Officer; President,
Van Andel Institute Graduate School
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
Eric C. Swindell, Ph.D.
Dean & Chief Academic Officer,
Van Andel Institute Graduate School
Kathleen Vogelsang, CFA, MBA
Chief Investment Officer
Linda Zarzecki
Vice President of Human Resources
LEADERSHIP
VAI VAI Operating Revenues
63%
1%
5%
31%
$79,000K
$38,000K
$6,000K
$1,800K
Investment return
utilized
Grant Other & contract revenues
revenue
Contributions Investment return utilized
Other Grant revenues & contract revenue
33%
Operating VAI Operating Expenses Expenses
5%
62%
$71,600K
Research
Education
Management,
$38,700K
general & other
Management, general & other
$5,200K
Education
Research
Designated Gifts | $4,858K Total
Unrestricted
65%
14%
4%
2%
11%
4%
$3,135.8K
$700.6K
$538.6K
$200K
$179.3K
Other
Unrestricted
Neurodegenerative
Internship Cancer Program
Education Neurodegenerative
Internship program
Cancer
Other (includes scientific event
sponsorships & Metabolism)
Contributions
$103.6K
Education
64
65

Van Andel Institute Board Members
Van Andel Institute
Trustees
David Van Andel
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer,
Van Andel Institute
Connie Chang, MBA
Chief Operating Officer, ONL Therapeutics
John Kennedy, MBA
President & Chief Executive Officer, Autocam Medical
Mark D. Meijer
Founder & President, Life E.M.S. Ambulance
Van Andel Research
Institute Trustees
David Van Andel
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer,
Van Andel Institute
Ralph Deberardinis, M.D., Ph.D.
Chief of Pediatric Genetics & Metabolism,
University of Texas Southwestern; &
Endowed Chair, University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center, Howard Hughes Fellow
James B. Fahner, M.D.
Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology,
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital & Spectrum Health
Medical Group; Associate Professor, Department of
Pediatrics, Michigan State University
Michelle M. Le Beau, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer, Cancer Prevention &
Research Institute of Texas
Max S. Wicha, M.D.
Madeline and Sidney Forbes Professor of Oncology,
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center —
Michigan Medicine
Van Andel Education
Institute Trustees
David Van Andel
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer,
Van Andel Institute
James E. Bultman, Ed.D.
President Emeritus, Hope College
Susan Meell
Chief Executive Officer, MMS Education
Juan R. Olivarez, Ph.D.
President Emeritus, Aquinas College
Teresa Weatherall Neal, Ed.D.
Former Superintendent, Grand Rapids Public Schools
Van Andel Institute Graduate
School Board of Directors
Maria Cimitile, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy, Honors College,
Grand Valley State University
James B. Fahner, M.D.
Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology,
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital & Spectrum Health
Medical Group; Associate Professor, Department of
Pediatrics, Michigan State University
Peggy Farnham, Ph.D.
William M. Keck Professor of Biochemistry and Chair,
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine,
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern
California; Vice Dean for Health & Biomedical Science
Education, Keck School of Medicine, University of
Southern California
Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)
Chief Scientific Officer, Van Andel Institute;
President, Van Andel Institute Graduate School
Juan R. Olivarez, Ph.D.
President Emeritus, Aquinas College
Mary O’Riordan, Ph.D.
Vice Chair of the Board; Associate Dean of Graduate
& Postdoctoral Studies & 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
Van Andel Research Institute
External Scientific Advisory Board
Sharon Y.R. Dent, Ph.D. (ESAB Chair)
Professor & Chair, Department of Epigenetics &
Molecular Carcinogenesis; Director, Science Park;
Director, Center for Cancer Epigenetics, MD Anderson
Cancer Center
Xiaodong Cheng, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Molecular & Cellular
Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson
Cancer Center
Ted Dawson, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience
& Pharmacology & Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins
University; 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, Department of Endocrine Neoplasia &
Hormonal Disorders Chief, Section of Bone & Mineral
Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson
Cancer Center Cancer Prevention Research Institute
of Texas (CPRIT); Scholar Co-Director of the Rolanette
& Berdon Lawrence Bone Disease Program of Texas;
Co-Leader, Tumor Microenvironment & Metastasis
program of the IU Simon Cancer Center, NCI
Comprehensive Cancer Center
Tony Hunter, Ph.D.
Professor, Molecular & Cell Biology Laboratory;
American Cancer Society Professor; Renato
Dulbecco Chair; Director, Salk Institute Cancer
Center
Anthony E. Lang, O.C., M.D., FRCPC, FAAN, FCAHS,
FRSC
Director, Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson’s
Disease Toronto Western Hospital
Mitchell Lazar, M.D., Ph.D.
Willard & Rhoda Ware Professor In Diabetes &
Metabolic Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania
Thomas J. Montine, M.D., Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Pathology, Stanford University
Pathology Professor, Stanford Medicine
Max S. Wicha, M.D.
Madeline and Sidney Forbes Professor of Oncology,
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center —
Michigan Medicine
BOARDS
66
67

Van Andel Institute Board of Governors
Co-Chairs
Timothy Long
Vicky Ludema
Van Andel Institute began with
a vision: to improve human health.
Members
Dennis & Barbara Adama
Dr. Marguerite Aitken
John & Mary Amell
Rosemary Anderson
Kurt Arvidson
Heidi Auman
Jerry & Suzanne Callahan Tina Freese Decker
Bill & Starr Humphries
The Institute is fueled by a community of bright minds who share a
Jeffrey & Cheryl Baker
James & Shirley Balk
Regena Bassett
relentless curiosity Samuel Colelland deep commitment Stuart Genschaw to make Carl & Kelly the Jandernoa world a better
Charles Lott
Jeffrey Battershall
John & Ginny Baysore
Paul Becker & Eve Rogus
Brad Bengtson
Bill & Amy Bennett
Brian Conley
Dan & Magee Gordon
Sidney & Cate Jansma
place through groundbreaking biomedical research and inspired K-12
and graduate Shirley education.
& Keith Cook
Jeff & Meg Bennett
Matthew & Shari Berger
Gregory & Rajene Betz
Ed & Karen Bezilla
Franco & Alessandra Bianchi
Tom & Tracy Curran
Ronald Haan
Andrew & Joy Kim
At Van Andel Institute, we do more than dream about improving
Dave & Jill Bielema
Rusty Blakely
Ted & Betsy Boelema
human health. Thomas We DeJonge strive to make Shane it & Ann a Hansen reality.
Chuck & Chris Boelkins
Carrie Boer
Fred Bogaert
Donald Botting
Jeremy Bouwhuis
Chip Bowling
Becky Bravata
Anne Brennan
Brent Brinks
Leonard Brucato
Dr. Jim & Martie Bultman
Beau Burnett
William & Jackie Bylenga
Carol Bylsma
Stephen & Michele Chachulski
Dave & Kerry Clay
Diane Colvin
Matthew Cook
Ryan & Jessica Cook
Marcos & Liset Cordoba
Charles Cox
Bill & Marilyn Crawford
Mimi Cummings
David & Karen Custer
Kim Dabbs
Doug & Sandy Dekock
Robert & Allison DeVilbiss
Dick & Betsy DeVos
Douglas & Maria DeVos
Brian DeVries & Barbara Pugh
Dan & Viki Distin
John Dykema & Michele
Maly-Dykema
Mark Eastburg
Mike & Lynette Ellis
Henry Emrich
Diego Filippi
Michael Finch
Mickie Fox
Miller Ganapini
Todd & Brenda Gardner
Mark Giura
Dan Goris
Tim Gortsema
Braden Graham
John & Deanna Green
Dr. Martin & Peggy Greydanus
Patti Griswold
Jefra Groendyk
Dr. Peter Hahn
Dr. Jana Hall
Jeff & Ann Harten
Kurt & Madelon Hassberger
Matt & Jodie Haverdink
Paul & Sheryl Haverkate
Mike Hemmingsen
Paulus Heule
Thomas Hilldore
Dave & Donna Hockstra
Matt Hoeksema
Dr. Philip & Sharon Hoekstra
Dirk & June Hoffius
Christopher Hufnagel
J.C. Huizenga & Tammy Born-
Huizenga
Ben & Molly Hunting
Patrick & Jasmine Irish
Mike & Sue Jandernoa
Lynne Jarman-Johnson
Andy Jasper
Lynn Jekkals
Matt & Sarah Jones
Dr. Peter & Veronica Jones
David & Nancy Kammeraad
John & Nancy Kennedy
Craig & Debbie Kinney
Jennifer Kirchgessner
Linda Klein
Dr. Stephanie Kloostra
Margaret Klopcic
Steve Klotz
Jerry Kooiman
Josh & Connie Kooistra
Matt & Danielle Kool
Al & Robin Koop
Brian & Cathy Koop
Blake & Mary Krueger
Gregory Kuhl
Jon Lanning
Ray & Jeannine Lanning
Arlyn & Marcia Lanting
Bertil Kenneth Larm
Michael Le Roy
Timothy & Kim Long
Steve Longstreet
Gary & Vicky Ludema
Michael & Suzanne Lunn
Philomena Mantella
Holly McCaw
Dawn McCotter
Tom McGovern
Michael McGraw
Hendrik Meijer
Mark & Mary Beth Meijer
Rusty Merchant
Scott Merchant
Jack H. Miller
Rick Minnema
Mike & Rachel Mraz
David Muilenberg
Gordon J. Muir
Paul & Anne Nemschoff
Laurie-Ann Netto
Jack Nichols
Shawn Norden
Dr. Juan & Mary Olivarez
Thomas Ozinga & Phong Hoang
Mitchell Padnos
Milind Pant
Richard Pappas
Lee & Alexandra Perez
Lewis Pitsch
Shawn & Sarah Platt
James Preston
Elsa Prince Broekhuizen
Dr. Suresh & Dr. Sarla Puri
Todd Rempe
Dr. John Renucci
Pat Ringnalda
Brenda Rinks
Jeffery Roberts
Hilary Roelofs
Dr. Jack & Lija Romence
Robert Roth
Doug Rottman
John & Therese Rowerdink
Joseph Sanda
Gideon Sanders
Mark Satkoski
Mike & Cynthia Schaap
Timothy Schowalter
Mary Schregardus
Marc & Jeanne Schupan
Matthew Scogin
Charlie Secchia
Tony & Dawn Semple
George & Linda Sharpe
George & Missy Sharpe
Tom & Barb Shaw
Jeremy Shoemaker
John & Judy Spoelhof
Scott & Jan Spoelhof
Robert & Susan Stafford
Peter Stamos & Soonmee Cha-
Stamos
Frank Stanek
Anne Stephens
Leanne Stoll
Tom & Mary Stuit
Duwane Suwyn
Dr. Kathryn Swanson
Praveen Thadani
Bradley Thomas
P.J. Thompson
Dr. Steve & Laura Triezenberg
John Truscott
David & Sandy Turner
David & Carol Van Andel
Steve & Amy Van Andel
Sharon Van Dellen
Michael & Michelle Van Dyke
Daniel & Ann Marie Van Eerden
Douglas & Sandra Van Essen
Donna Van Haren
Maria Van Til
John Van Wylen
Dr. Doug Vander Woude
Allen & Nancy VanderLaan
Patti Vandort
Michael & Gayle VanGessel
David & Beth VanPortfliet
Dr. John R. & Grace
VanTimmeren
Jim & Wanda Veld
Dr. Chris & Kara VerMeulen
Peter Versluis
Chris Vinton
Angela Visbeen
Phil & Kathy Vogelsang
James & Cassandra Ward
Tom Welch
Van Andel Institute JBoard Ambassadors
Co-Chairs
Blake Crabb
Rachel Mraz
Members
Rueben Antonio
Blake Crabb
Jordan Custer
Aaron & Afton DeVos
Sam DeVries
Ben Eastburg
Jennifer Fischer
Evan Frick
James Frieling
Meghan Gartman
Erik & Victoria Hansen
Nate Harris
Mike Hemmingsen
Jason & Brandi Huyser
Nate Johnson
John & Vicky Weller
Benjamin Wickstrom
Chris Wierda
Scott & Rebecca Wierda
Julie Wiersema
Greg Williams
Jim & Sue Williams
This list reflects gifts received between Jan. 1 and Dec 31, 2022.
Matt & Sarah Jones
Trey Kailunas
Andrew Kapanowski
Margaret Kennedy
Kaleb Kimble
Michael & Andrea Leestma
Kimberly Livingston
Diana Longstreet
Kathleen Martin
Rob & Kati Missman
Mike & Rachel Mraz
Thomas Murray
Nathan & Erin Nartker
Jon & Elle Oberdick
John O’Neill
Kendra Osowski
Greg Paplawsky
Lee & Alexandra Perez
Justin Pinto
Alexandra Price
This list includes members active any time between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023.
Greg Willit & Meg Miller Willit
Bob & Karen Wiltz
Jim & Mary Workman
John & Kathy Workman
Jim & Jane Zwiers
Jason Zylstra
Patrick & Jenna Riley
Nicole Rodammer
Sara Ross
Alex Schrotenboer
Allison Sleight
Dr. Josh & Mollie Smith
Timothy Streit
Mark Stuit
Aaron & Hailey Van Andel
Chris Van Andel
Jesse & Heather Van Andel
Kyle Van Andel
Dan VandenBosch
Tripp & Katie VanderWal
Samuel & Sydney Vucelich
Cameron Young
Megan Zubrickas
BOARD OF GOVERNORS & JBOARD AMBASSADORS
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.
Thank you, JBoard Ambassadors.
As JBoard Ambassadors, you are leaders who exhibit the power of early and mid-career 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.
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