2025 VAI Graduate School Commencement Program

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE GRADUATE SCHOOL
2025 | COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM

Monday, May 12, 2025
1:30 P.M. | TOMATIS AUDITORIUM
DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE PDF OF THE PROGRAM BOOKLET AND GRADUATING STUDENT
BIOSKETCHES AT BIT.LY/VAI2025COMMENCEMENT.
PROCESSIONAL
WELCOME
Dr. Peter A. Jones, President and Chief Scientific Officer, Van Andel Institute;
President, Van Andel Institute Graduate School
OPENING OF CEREMONY AND DEAN’S REMARKS
Dr. Eric C. Swindell, Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Van Andel Institute Graduate School
EXCELLENCE IN GRADUATE EDUCATION AWARD
Recipient: Dr. Gerry Coetzee
INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATES BY MENTORS
Dr. Peter Laird
Dr. Tao Yang
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREE
Dr. Eric C. Swindell
CONFERRING OF DEGREES
Dr. Juan Olivarez, Chair, Van Andel Institute Graduate School Board of Directors
PRESENTATION OF HOODS
REFLECTIONS BY GRADUATES
Joseph Floramo
Nathan Spix
CONTINUING STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
Richard Cassidy, on behalf of the Graduate Student Association
RECESSIONAL
Reception to follow in Cook-Hauenstein Hall.
Music for today’s celebration performed by Kopper and Keys.
For general questions, please contact Susanne Miller-Schachinger at
susanne.miller@vai.edu.
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREE AND THESIS ADVISERS
Joseph Floramo — Dr. Tao Yang
Nathan Spix — Dr. Peter Laird
VAN ANDEL EDUCATION INSTITUTE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
David Van Andel
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Van Andel Institute
James E. Bultman, Ed.D.
Juan R. Olivarez, Ph.D.
Teresa Weatherall Neal, Ed.D. (hon)
Christine Willig
Kyle Van Andel
Board Observer
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE GRADUATE SCHOOL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Juan R. Olivarez, Ph.D.
Chair
Mary O’Riordan, Ph.D.
Vice Chair
Maria Cimitile, Ph.D.
James B. Fahner, M.D.
Peggy Farnham, Ph.D.
Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)
Candace T. Smith-King, M.D.
Thomas Curran, J.D.
Secretary to the Board
Katie Helder
Treasurer to the Board
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE GRADUATE
SCHOOL FACULTY
Marie Adams, M.S.
Stephen B. Baylin, M.D.
Sarah Bodbyl, Ph.D.
Lena Brundin, M.D., Ph.D.
Nick Burton, Ph.D.
Clifford Cho, M.D.
Gerry Coetzee, Ph.D.
Martha Escobar, Ph.D.
Corinne Esquibel, Ph.D.
Yvonne Fondufe-Mittendorf, Ph.D.
Stephanie Grainger, Ph.D.
Carrie R. Graveel, Ph.D.
Brian Haab, Ph.D.
Michael Henderson, Ph.D.
Galen Hostetter, M.D.
Melissa Hoyer, Ph.D.
Derek Janssens, Ph.D.
Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)
Russell Jones, Ph.D.
Connie Krawczyk, Ph.D.
Peter W. Laird, Ph.D.
Heidi Lempradl, Ph.D.
Hong Li, Ph.D.
Huilin Li, Ph.D.
Evan Lien, Ph.D.
Zach Madaj, M.S.
Darren Moore, Ph.D.
Sara Nowinski, Ph.D.
Gerd Pfeifer, Ph.D.J.
Andrew Pospisilik, Ph.D.
Scott Rothbart, Ph.D.
Laurent Roybon, Ph.D.
Ryan Sheldon, Ph.D.
Hui Shen, Ph.D.
Rachael Sheridan, Ph.D., SCYM (ASCP)
Xiaobing Shi, Ph.D.
Matthew R. Steensma, M.D.
Eric C. Swindell, Ph.D.
Piroska Szabó, Ph.D.
Tim Triche, Jr., Ph.D.
Travis Walton, Ph.D.
Bang-An Wang, Ph.D.
Hong Wen, Ph.D.
Bart Williams, Ph.D.
Mary Winn, Ph.D.
Evan Worden, Ph.D.
Tao Yang, Ph.D.
Yang Yang, Ph.D.
Liman Zhang, Ph.D.
Gongpu Zhao, Ph.D.
Qiang Zhu, Ph.D.

Joseph Floramo
Dissertation: A Chain of Sumoylation Stories:
Tracking Polysumoylation Under Stress
and PolySUMO Mouse Models
Thesis Adviser: Tao Yang, Ph.D.
Hometown: Midlothian, IL
Next Step: Applying to positions both in industry
and academia
Nathan Spix
Dissertation: Tracing Cancer-Related DNA
Hypermethylation Through Space
and Time
Thesis Adviser: Peter W. Laird, Ph.D.
Hometown: Rochester, MI
Next Step: Returning to Medical School at MSU CHM
Van Andel Institute Graduate School
develops biomedical research leaders
through an intense, problem-focused
Ph.D. degree in molecular and cellular
biology. By combining rigorous,
problem-based coursework with
extensive experience in laboratories
led by the Institute’s expert faculty,
the Graduate School prepares students
for productive careers in biomedical
research and beyond. The Graduate
School thrives within the state-of-theart
facilities of Van Andel Institute,
with access to extensive core
technology support and the resources
of collaborators in Grand Rapids,
Michigan, and around the country.

History of Van Andel Institute Graduate School
Van Andel Institute began with a vision to improve human health through
biomedical research and science education. Van Andel Institute Graduate School
plays a key role in this mission, combining rigorous coursework, extensive
laboratory experience, and the mentorship of VAI’s expert faculty to develop the
biomedical research leaders of the future.
The Graduate School was founded in 2005, with a charter to grant doctoral and
master’s degrees, through the leadership of Dr. Gordon Van Harn as the Director of
Van Andel Institute for Education. Dr. Eric C. Swindell became the Dean and Chief
Academic Officer in December 2023, bringing a vision of creativity and innovation
for biomedical graduate education. The Graduate School is accredited by the Higher
Learning Commission, a nationally recognized institutional accreditor. The Graduate
School was initially granted accreditation in 2013 and subsequently reaffirmed
in 2024 and is gaining a national reputation for its program design, curricular
approach, and student support.
From the first cohort of three pioneering students in 2007, the Graduate School
has grown to a student body of 56 scholars from 16 different countries. Including
today’s graduates, 45 students have earned Ph.D. degrees and four have earned
master’s degrees. Graduate School alumni are now taking leadership positions
in academia, research, and industry, carrying forward VAI’s values of curiosity,
collaboration, and urgency to improve the health and enhance the lives of current
and future generations.
Acknowledgments
We gratefully acknowledge that the success of the Graduate School arises from:
• The vision and generosity of Van Andel Institute founders Jay and Betty
Van Andel.
• The stalwart support of David Van Andel, Chairman and CEO of
Van Andel Institute.
• Encouraging guidance from Van Andel Education Institute Board of Trustees.
• Creative direction and diligent oversight by past and current members of the
Van Andel Institute Graduate School Board of Directors.
• Instrumental leadership by Past President and Founding Dean, Dr. Steven J.
Triezenberg, in establishing and developing our accredited Ph.D. program
(2006 until retirement in June 2023).
• Committed leadership of Van Andel Institute Graduate School President Dr. Peter
A. Jones and Dean and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Eric C. Swindell, along with
dedicated and excellent work by Graduate School staff members: Associate Dean
Dr. Sarah Bodbyl, Assistant Dean Dr. Carrie Graveel, Director of Assessment
and Professional Development Taylor Boyd, Director of Enrollment and Records
Christy Mayo, Director of Student Support Services Jane Bruin, Outreach Specialist
Christian Mittendorf, Program Administrator Michelle Love and administrative team
members Alicia Kooiman and Susanne Miller-Schachinger.

vai.org/graduate-school