2025 HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

HIGHLIGHTS OF

HOPE

SPRING/SUMMER ’25 ISSUE

2 Van Andel Institute scientists named to prestigious Highly Cited Researchers list

3 New anti-cancer ‘degrader’ targets protein essential to infant leukemia

4 VAI appoints trio of renowned scientists to endowed chairs 6 VAI chief

scientific officer earns honors 8 Starving cancer cells of fat may improve cancer

treatment 9 Experimental test for pancreatic cancer takes important step toward

the clinic 10 When it comes to copying DNA, humans and baker’s yeast share an

important mechanism 12 Can a tiny fish help us cure cancer? 14 Immune cells

rely on different nutrients to fight cancer 16 A lifelong focus on discovery

and curiosity 17 Early career scientists earn accolades 18 Education highlights

20 Donor spotlight: Dr. Karen Kamerschen 22 Donor spotlight: Terry Ballard &

Leticia Cuadra-Ballard 24 Events 32 Event sponsors 34 Tributes

RESEARCH

Van Andel Institute scientists

named to prestigious Highly

Cited Researchers list

Van Andel Institute scientists Dr. Russell Jones and Dr. Peter W. Laird were included in the 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list, a

distinction marking them as leaders in their fields.

The greatly anticipated annual list identifies researchers who demonstrated notable and far-reaching impact in their chosen area or areas

of study through the publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade. Their names are drawn from the publications that

rank in the top 1% by citations for field and publication year in the Web of Science citation index.

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 and Laird have appeared on the list in previous years.

“The Highly Cited Researchers list identifies and celebrates exceptional individual researchers at Van Andel Institute whose significant

and broad influence in their fields translates to impact in their research community. Their pioneering innovations contribute to a healthier,

more sustainable and secure world. These researchers’ achievements strengthen the foundation of excellence and innovation that drives

societal progress,” said David Pendlebury, head of research analysis at the Institute for Scientific Information at Clarivate.

Dr. Russell Jones

Chair and Professor, Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming,

Van Andel Institute

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. He

is an elected member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal

Society of Canada and an Allen Distinguished Investigator in Immunometabolism.

Dr. Peter W. Laird

Professor, Department of Epigenetics; Peter and Emajean Cook Endowed Chair in

Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute

Laird explores the origins of epigenetic mistakes in cancer, which can provide insight into

how cancer arises. He has developed several cutting-edge 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 nowcompleted

multi-institutional effort to molecularly map 33 different types of cancer.

2 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

New anti-cancer

‘degrader’

targets protein

essential to

infant leukemia

Scientists at Van Andel Institute and Icahn School of Medicine

at Mount Sinai have developed a potent anti-cancer compound

that inhibits cancer cell growth in a tough-to-treat type of infant

leukemia.

The compound, MS-41, targets and destroys ENL, a protein that is

essential to the progression of MLL-rearranged leukemia. Without ENL,

leukemia cells lose the ability to proliferate and spread.

“Up to 80% of acute leukemias in infants are linked to problems

with the MLL gene, yet there are few effective treatments for MLLrearranged

leukemias,” said Dr. Hong Wen, a VAI professor and

co-corresponding author of a study describing the findings. “MS-41 is

a new, experimental compound that effectively targets and degrades

a central survival mechanism in leukemia cells. Our early results are

promising, and we’re excited to continue developing MS-41 as a

potential leukemia treatment.”

MS-41 belongs to a family of cancer-fighting compounds called

PROTAC degraders, which are an increasingly popular approach to

cancer drug development. Unlike traditional small-molecule inhibitors,

PROTAC degraders completely remove their target proteins, enabling

them to deliver robust therapeutic effects at low doses with fewer side

effects. PROTAC degraders also often require less frequent treatment

than other currently available cancer medications.

The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, also reveal that

MS-41 did not harm healthy cells when tested in mouse models. Such

compounds are desirable as medications because they are less likely

to cause side effects.

Moving forward, Wen and her colleagues will investigate MS-41 in

additional models to assess if it is applicable in other types of ENLrelated

acute leukemias and cancer types such as Wilms tumor.

Funding Acknowledgement

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of

Health under award no. R01CA260666 (Jin and Wen).

Wen is a Career Development Award Scholar of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (award no. 1387-23).

Wen also is supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award no.

R01CA255506. Shi is supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award

no. R01CA268440. Chen is supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of

the National Institutes of Health under award no. R41DK13305; the National Institute on Aging of the National

Institutes of Health under award no. R21AG071229; and the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences of the

National Institutes of Health under award no. R01GM133107.

This work used the NMR Spectrometer Systems at Mount Sinai acquired with funding from the National Institutes of

Health under Shared Instrument award nos. 1S10OD025132 and 1S10OD028504.

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 funders.

THIS SIDE-BY-SIDE SHOWS AN UNTREATED BONE MARROW

SAMPLE (TOP) & A BONE MARROW SAMPLE AFTER TREATMENT

WITH THE CANCER-FIGHTING COMPOUND MS-41 (BOTTOM).

IMAGE COURTESY OF DR. HONG WEN.

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 3

RESEARCH

VAI appoints trio of renowned

scientists to endowed chairs

Van Andel Institute named Dr. Peter W. Laird as the Peter and Emajean Cook Endowed Chair in Epigenetics, Dr. Huilin Li as the Ralph

and Grace Hauenstein Endowed Chair in Structural Biology, and Dr. Darren Moore as the Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson’s

Disease Research.

The prestigious appointments celebrate Laird, Li and Moore’s extensive pioneering scientific contributions. They also honor the Cooks and

the Hauensteins, who were among the Institute’s earliest and most dedicated supporters, and Jay Van Andel, who co-founded the Institute

alongside his wife, Betty.

Endowed chairs recognize scientists whose achievements and discoveries place them at the top of their fields. The Peter and Emajean

Cook Endowed Chair in Epigenetics and the Ralph and Grace Hauenstein Endowed Chair in Structural Biology were established in 2024; the

Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson’s Disease Research was established in 2005.

“My parents’ vison laid the foundation for VAI’s success, and the early support of champions like Ralph and Grace Hauenstein and Peter

and Emajean Cook helped us flourish. We are eternally grateful for their belief in the Institute,” said David Van Andel, VAI Chairman and

CEO. “Endowed chairs acknowledge scientists whose career-spanning discoveries place them at the pinnacle of achievement. Drs. Laird,

Li and Moore are pioneers. Their revolutionary research drives innovation and impact here and around the world.”


Dr. Peter W. Laird

Laird joined VAI in 2014 and helped establish

the Institute as a world leader in cancer

epigenetics.

His research explores the origins of

epigenetic mistakes in cancer and provides

deep insight into how cancer arises.

Epigenetics are the processes that manage

how and when the instructions in DNA are

carried out. Thanks in part to Laird’s work,

epigenetic mistakes are now well-known

contributors to cancer. Laird has developed

several cutting-edge technologies, which

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.

Dr. Huilin Li

Li joined VAI in 2016 and was instrumental

in the creation and growth of the Institute’s

state-of-the-art Cryo-EM Core and David

Van Andel Advanced Cryo-Electron

Microscopy Suite.

As a structural biologist, Li leverages the

Institute’s high-powered cryo-electron

microscopes to understand how the

instructions in DNA are copied, repaired

and protected. This process, called DNA

replication, is fundamental to all life and has

widespread impacts on health and disease.

Li has been at the forefront of his field for

more than 20 years and his contributions

have revolutionized our understanding of

DNA replication. His leading-edge research

also explores how the bacteria that cause

tuberculosis and the parasite that causes

malaria become resistant to medication, key

insights that may guide the next generation

of therapies.

“Endowed chairs acknowledge scientists

whose career-spanning discoveries place

them at the pinnacle of achievement.

Drs. Laird, Li and Moore are pioneers. Their

revolutionary research drives innovation and

impact here and around the world.”

— David Van Andel

Dr. Darren Moore

Moore joined VAI in 2014 and quickly

established his lab as an epicenter of

innovation and leading-edge Parkinson’s

research.

He is a globally recognized expert in the

genetic factors that contribute to the

disease, with a focus on genetic changes

passed down through families. His research

has revealed the deep influence that

mutations to genes such as LRRK2 and VPS35

have on inherited and non-inherited forms

of Parkinson’s disease.

Moore serves as chair of VAI’s Department of

Neurodegenerative Science, a growing team

of scientists who investigate Parkinson’s,

dementias, depression, ALS and other

neurological disorders. He is a member of

the Cure Parkinson’s–Van Andel Institute

International Linked Clinical Trials Program,

which prioritizes medications developed for

other conditions for evaluation in Parkinson’s

disease clinical trials. Moore also is director

of VAI’s West Michigan Neurodegenerative

Diseases (MiND) Program, which aims to

improve understanding of Parkinson’s and

dementia, power new discoveries, and

leverage findings to inform groundbreaking

treatment strategies.


RESEARCH

VAI chief scientific officer

earns honors

In December, Jones was named as one of the co-winners of the 2025

Harvey Prize, which is widely considered to be a “Nobel predictor,”

with more than 30% of Harvey Prize honorees going on to win the

Nobel Prize. Jones will share the Harvey Prize with Sidney Kimmel

Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins and VAI’s Dr. Stephen

B. Baylin and Johns Hopkins University’s Dr. Andrew P. Feinberg. The

award celebrates their individual and collaborative contributions to

science and human health.

“Dr. Jones’ pioneering research has directly led to life-changing

innovation in cancer treatment,” said VAI Chairman and CEO

David Van Andel. “He is an exceptional scientist and leader whose

contributions to VAI and the research community will have a powerful

positive impact for years to come.”

DR. PETER A. JONES

Van Andel Institute President and Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Peter A. Jones earned a pair of prestigious accolades in 2024

that recognize his immense contributions to the field of cancer

epigenetics.

In October, Jones was named to the National Academy of Medicine,

one of the three academies that comprise the National Academies

of Science, Engineering and Medicine. Considered to be among the

highest honors in the fields of medicine and health, election to the

National Academy of Medicine recognizes a career-spanning record

of outstanding achievement and service.

Jones joined VAI as chief scientific officer in 2014 following more than

30 years at the University of Southern California. He is a pioneer and

internationally recognized expert in epigenetics, a field that explores

how the instructions in DNA are regulated without changing the DNA

sequence itself. Epigenetics greatly influence health and diseases such

as cancer.

Jones’ transformative research in the 1980s was the first to link an

epigenetic process called DNA methylation to gene expression and

cellular differentiation. DNA methylation occurs when chemical marks

called methyl groups are added to genes. These marks regulate

whether the instructions in a gene are on or off.

Methylation errors now are widely recognized as major contributors

to cancer — and potent treatment targets. Jones’ early work

determined the effects of a drug called 5-azacytidine on methylation,

which led to its approval as a leukemia treatment.


Jones and Baylin are longtime collaborators. They served as coleaders

of the original Stand Up To Cancer ® Epigenetics Dream Team

and, after Jones joined VAI in 2014, as co-leaders of the

Van Andel Institute–Stand Up To Cancer ® Epigenetics Dream Team.

This collaborative effort brings together leading cancer research

and treatment organizations to evaluate promising potential cancer

treatments. To date, the team has launched 15 clinical trials in

cancers of the lung, bladder and breast, among others.

Jones’ election to the National Academy of Medicine and Harvey

Prize win add to a long list of accolades recognizing his extensive

contributions. He also is an elected member of the National Academy

of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of

Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Academy. In

2018, Jones was awarded an honorary doctorate of science from

Stellenbosch University. He is past president of AACR, two-time

recipient of a National Cancer Institute Outstanding Investigator

Award and a co-investigator of the National Cancer Institute’s first

epigenetics-focused SPORE Award, which supports innovative team

science initiatives. Along with Baylin, Jones is the recipient of the

American Cancer Society’s Medal of Honor and AACR’s Kirk A. Landon

Prize for Basic Cancer Research.

Jones was born in Cape Town, South Africa, attended college in

Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and earned his Ph.D. from University of

London. He joined the University of Southern California in 1977 and

served as director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

between 1993 and 2011. In 2014, he was recruited to VAI as chief

scientific officer, where he has spearheaded a period of immense

growth in the Institute’s size and scope. He also serves as president of

VAI and Van Andel Institute Graduate School.

“Dr. Jones’ pioneering

research has directly

led to life-changing

innovation in cancer

treatment. He is an

exceptional scientist

and leader whose

contributions to VAI

and the research

community will have

a powerful positive

impact for years

to come.”

— David Van Andel


RESEARCH

Starving cancer cells of fat may

improve cancer treatment

Cutting off cancer cells’ access to fat may help a specialized type

of cancer treatment work more effectively, reports a study by

Van Andel Institute scientists.

The findings, published in the journal Cell Chemical Biology, lay the

groundwork for developing tailored dietary strategies to help anticancer

medications better kill malignant cells.

“We want to make cancer treatment more effective,” said Dr. Evan

Lien, an assistant professor at VAI and the study’s corresponding

author. “The best way to do this is by understanding how cancer

cells behave and identifying ways to break through their defenses.

Our findings are an important step toward evidence-based diets

that could one day augment existing therapies.”

Cells require fats and other nutrients to function. Cancer cells

hijack these normal cellular processes and steal resources like fats,

which then act as fuel for sick cells to grow and spread.

The study focused on ferroptosis, a type of cell death that occurs

when fat molecules in cancer cells experience damage. In recent

years, targeting ferroptosis has emerged as an increasingly

promising avenue for developing new anti-cancer strategies.

Many of the mechanisms that enable cancer cells to grow

uncontrollably also allow them to avoid cellular quality control

processes that usually kill and remove sick cells. Ferroptosis can be

an exception, which makes it a potentially powerful tool to leverage

in cancer treatment.

Using cell models, Lien and his team found that removing cancer

cells’ access to fats makes them highly sensitive to ferroptosis and,

by extension, drugs that kick-start ferroptosis.

The findings are promising, Lien says, but much more work is

needed to replicate the discovery in other models of cancer. He

and his team also are investigating if the type and amount of fat

can be manipulated through diet to make ferroptosis inducers

work more effectively.

“Diet is something that’s relatively easy to modify,” Lien said. “We’re

not there yet, but the thing we’re most excited about is how we

might be able to use what we learn to one day design diets tailored

to different types of treatment. That could be transformative.”


Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes

of Health under award nos. R00CA255928 (Lien) and T32CA251066 (P. Jones); and Van Andel Institute’s

Metabolism & Nutrition (MeNu) Program. 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 funders.

DR. EVAN LIEN & THE STUDY’S FIRST AUTHOR, KELLY SOKOL


Experimental test for pancreatic

cancer takes important step

toward the clinic

One of the biggest challenges in treating pancreatic cancer occurs before treatment even

begins: diagnosis.

The disease is notoriously difficult to detect, which means it often isn’t found until it reaches an

advanced stage. By this point, cancer cells are more likely to have spread to other parts of the

body, which complicates treatment.

“We need more effective tests,” said Van Andel Institute’s Dr. Brian Haab, an expert in pancreatic

cancer. “The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more treatment options there are — and more

treatment options can mean a better prognosis.”

Thanks to recent breakthroughs, he’s closer than ever to this goal. An experimental blood test

developed by Haab and Dr. Randall E. Brand, a physician-scientist and professor of medicine at the

University of Pittsburgh, performed better than existing tests in a double-blinded analysis. The

study revealed that the experimental test correctly identified 71% of pancreatic cancer samples in

the lab compared to only 44% correctly identified by the current gold-standard test. The findings

were published in the journal Cancer Letters.

The new test has been licensed by a commercial laboratory, an important milestone toward making

it available for patients.

During this process, a CLIA-accredited diagnostics laboratory adapts the experimental test into

a version that reliably works under the strict conditions in a clinical lab. CLIA is a rigorous federal

standard that ensures lab quality.

“Validation studies are essential for transforming a test developed in an academic lab into one that

is used to diagnose real people,” Haab said. “For a person being evaluated for pancreatic cancer,

the stakes are high. Validation studies ensure that new tests work as intended.”

PANCREATIC TISSUE WITH THE

BIOMARKER CA199.STRA IN YELLOW.

COURTESY OF THE HAAB LAB.

The new test works by detecting two sugars — CA199.STRA and CA19-9 — that are produced by

pancreatic cancer cells and escape into the bloodstream. CA19-9 is the current gold-standard

biomarker for pancreatic cancer. Haab’s lab identified CA199.STRA as a cancer biomarker and

developed the technology to detect it.

The new test also greatly reduced the number of false negatives while maintaining a low false

positive rate, according to the recent analysis. Low rates of false positives and false negatives are

important because they reflect the test’s ability to correctly identify the presence or absence of

cancer.

Clinical validation of the test will be conducted by ReligenDx, a CLIA-accredited diagnostics lab

based in Pennsylvania. The process is expected to take two years.

If successful in clinical validation, Haab envisions the test being used in two main ways: 1. Catching

pancreatic cancer more quickly in people at high risk of the disease, which would enable earlier

treatment and 2. Monitoring progression and treatment response in people diagnosed with

pancreatic cancer.


Research reported in the Cancer Letters study was

supported by the National Cancer Institute of the

National Institutes of Health under award nos.

U01CA200466 (Brand and Batra), U01CA200468

(Maitra), U01CA152653 (Haab, Allen and Brand),

U01CA226158 (Haab and Brand) and U24CA086368

(Zheng, Etzioni and Feng); and the Sheikh Khalifa bin

Zayed Foundation (Maitra). 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 funders.


RESEARCH

When it comes to copying DNA,

humans and baker’s yeast share

an important mechanism

The same yeast we use to bake bread is helping scientists

understand an important process that safeguards DNA integrity.

The idea may seem odd at first, but humans and baker’s yeast have

more in common than one might expect. These hidden similarities

make yeast powerful models for studying the nuts and bolts of how

cells work.

Among the things humans and yeast share is a mechanism that

helps ensure DNA is copied correctly, a process called replication

that is essential for chromosome inheritance and human health. New

details about this mechanism in yeast and humans were featured in

a pair of studies published in the journals Science and Proceedings of

the National Academy of Sciences.

The studies visualize for the first time a molecular complex — called

CTF18-RFC in humans and Ctf18-RFC in yeast — that loads a “clamp”

onto DNA to keep parts of the replication machinery from falling off

the DNA strand.

The findings are among the latest from longtime collaborators

Dr. Huilin Li of Van Andel Institute and Dr. Michael O’Donnell of The

Rockefeller University to shed light on the systems that enable the

faithful passage of genetic information from generation to generation

of cells.

“The accurate copying of DNA is fundamental to the propagation

of life,” Li said. “Our findings add key pieces to the puzzle of DNA

replication and could improve understanding of DNA replicationrelated

health conditions.”

DR. HUILIN LI


DNA replication is a tightly controlled process that copies the genetic

code, allowing its instructions to be conveyed from one generation

of cells to the next. In diseases like cancer, these mechanisms can

fail, leading to uncontrolled or faulty replication with devastating

consequences.

To date, at least 40 diseases, including many cancers and rare

disorders, have been linked to problems with DNA replication.

The process begins by unzipping DNA’s ladder-like structure,

resulting in two strands called the leading and lagging strands.

Copying the leading strand differs from copying the lagging strand

because the leading strand is copied continuously while the lagging

strand is copied one segment at a time. Next, a pair of molecular

construction crews work to duplicate the original strands, turning a

single DNA helix into two. Much of this effort falls to two specialized

enzymes called polymerase epsilon and polymerase delta, which

assemble the leading and lagging strand, respectively.

On their own, however, polymerases aren’t good at staying on the

DNA strand. The leading strand polymerase epsilon requires CTF18-

RFC in humans and Ctf18-RFC in yeast to thread a ring-shaped clamp

onto the DNA leading strand, and another clamp loader called RFC in

both humans and yeast to thread the clamp onto the lagging strand.

The clamp then closes and signals to the polymerases that they can

begin replicating DNA. Prior to the studies by Li and O’Donnell, it was

unknown why the same DNA clamp is loaded onto the leading and

lagging strand by different clamp loaders.

Using high-powered cryo-electron microscopes, Li, O’Donnell and

their teams revealed previously unknown facets of the leading strand

clamp loaders’ structures, including a “hook” that forces the leading

strand polymerase to let go of the new DNA strand so it can be

recognized by the clamp loader. This distinction represents a key

difference between the functions of the leading strand clamp loader

(CTF18-RFC) and the lagging strand clamp loader (RFC) and highlights

an important aspect of varying DNA duplication mechanisms on the

leading and lagging strands.

Lastly, the study identified shared features between the yeast

and human leading strand clamp loaders, which demonstrate an

evolutionary link between the two. This finding underscores the value

of yeast as powerful yet simple models for studying genetics.


Research reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study and the Science study was

supported by Van Andel Institute (Li); the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes

of Health under award nos. R01GM148159 (O’Donnell) and R35GM131754 (Li); and the Howard Hughes

Medical Institute (O’Donnell). 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 funders.

DNA REPLICATION IS A COMPLEX PROCESS WITH MANY MOVING PARTS. IN

HUMANS, THE MOLECULAR COMPLEX CTF18-RFC, PICTURED BELOW, KEEPS

PARTS OF THE REPLICATION MACHINERY FROM FALLING OFF THE DNA

STRAND. BAKER’S YEAST USES A SIMILAR MECHANISM.

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE LI LAB


RESEARCH

Can a tiny fish help us cure cancer?

Zebrafish aren’t flashy like other pet fish.

They lack the flowy fins of bettas and the neon swooshes of tetras.

They aren’t safety-cone orange like goldfish or splashed with ink spots

like mollies. They’re even outshined by the humble guppy, with its fanlike

tail and myriad variations.

A game of cellular telephone

Coordinating the activities of the human body’s more than 37 trillion

cells falls to complex communication channels called signaling

pathways. These biological telephone lines route chemical messages

to and from cells, which have specialized receptors on their surface

to receive and process signals.

But when Dr. Stephanie Grainger looks at zebrafish, she sees

something more.

She sees partners in her quest to cure blood cancers.

“Most people are surprised when I tell them that zebrafish are

helping us answer important questions like, ‘how do our blood stem

cells form?’” Grainger said. “Blood stem cells are the reason bone

marrow transplants are so effective at treating cancers like leukemia

or lymphoma. We’re interested in how these cells are made and

whether we can translate this knowledge into cures — and zebrafish

are helping us do that.”

Little fish, big impact

Let’s start with the obvious question: why zebrafish?

After all, zebrafish and humans are wildly different. But dig a bit

deeper and you’ll find that we have much more in common with

these tiny, pinstriped fish than meets the eye, including 70% of our

genes. 1,2 That’s right, 70% of the genes that make us human also have

counterparts in zebrafish. If you look only at disease-related genes,

that figure jumps to 86%.

Once the shock wears off, the similarities start to become clearer. At a

fundamental level, humans and zebrafish share the same basic parts:

we both have eyes and mouths and skeletons. We have digestive

systems and nervous systems helmed by brains. And, importantly for

Grainger’s research, we have stem cells, biological blank slates that

give rise to all the other cells required to assemble the body.

There also are practical considerations that make them an ideal

model for studying health and disease. Zebrafish reproduce quickly

and in great numbers. They’re small and get along with other

zebrafish, meaning they can be housed together. And, importantly,

they develop outside of the womb and are translucent for the first

few days of their lives, which allows scientists like Grainger to easily

see how their stem cells, tissues and organs develop.

“Zebrafish are really cool,” Grainger said. “They’re ideal for studying

how blood stem cells form, how our cells communicate and how

errors in these processes can lead to cancer. Most importantly,

they’re helping us figure out how to fix these errors.”

For Grainger, one of these pathways stands above all others. Called

Wnt (and pronounced “wint”), this far-reaching network plays key

roles in development and tissue maintenance.

“During development, Wnt is like a manager at a construction

site. It directs where everything should go — for example, the

head goes on top of the neck while the feet go on the ends of the

legs,” Grainger said. “In adults, Wnt helps replenish stem cells and

coordinate the resources we need to heal after injury.”

No system is perfect though, she adds. Problems with Wnt

contribute to many different diseases, such osteoporosis, cancer

and heart disease.

Scientists have long sought to leverage the Wnt pathway as a

target for new cancer treatments, but this task has proven to be

immensely difficult. The issue is one of complexity: Wnt comprises

many different molecules that interact with each other in wideranging

ways. Medications that broadly target Wnt can throw the

whole pathway into chaos rather than narrowly fixing individual

errors.

“It’s like using a sledgehammer when you need a scalpel,” Grainger

said. “We’re trying to find the scalpel by understanding how specific

members of the pathway interact. This will help us develop highly

targeted ways to fix specific problems while leaving the rest of the

Wnt pathway alone.”

But how does one detangle such an intricate system?

With zebrafish, of course.

Wnt wins and frizzled finds

At its core, cancer is a disease of cell division gone wrong. It occurs

when malignant cells overpower their own quality control systems

and run rampant, greedily leeching vital resources from normal cells

and crowding out healthy tissues. Stem cells are no exception and

can become cancerous just like other cells.

It gets even thornier from there. Cancers can arise from a vast array

of errors. DNA can be damaged. Genes can mutate. Epigenetic

marks can be misplaced. Signaling pathways can be disrupted.


DR. STEPHANIE GRAINGER

All of this happens in zebrafish much the same way it does in

humans, which allows Grainger and her team a front row seat to see

and analyze these changes in real time.

No single scientist or lab can tackle all of cancer’s roots at once. To

make progress, Grainger focuses her efforts on two key players in

the Wnt pathway: Wnt9a and Fzd9b (Fzd is pronounced “frizzled”).

This pair of signaling molecules interacts to relay messages like, “stop

growing!” or “grow more!” to and from cells. For a long time, their

relationship has been largely secretive — we just simply didn’t know

how they worked together to deliver their information payload.

But thanks to Grainger and her zebrafish, we now have a much

clearer picture. In a study published in the prestigious journal Science

Signaling, she and her colleagues revealed how Wnt9a and Fzd9b

interact to form a molecular complex that is brought into the cell

through a process called endocytosis. 3

Examining this activity in zebrafish also revealed that Wnt9a-Fzd9b

complex is helped along by yet another receptor called EGFR. It’s

easy to see why this all is tough to study — there are pathways upon

pathways upon pathways, each interacting in unique ways to keep

the body up and running.

Grainger’s earlier work detailed how Wnt9a and Fzd9b interact,

which in turn helps govern development of blood stem cells in

zebrafish. At the time, it was clear that EGFR was an important part of

this process, but it wasn’t clear why.

The study offers answers. It turns out that EGFR makes slight

alterations to Fzd9b, like a tailor tweaking a gown. These small

changes kick-start a cascade of reactions that results in Wnt9a-

Fzd9b’s grand entrance into the cell, where it delivers messages that

support development and tissue maintenance.

(continues on page 14)


RESEARCH

(continued from page 13)

This information may seem deep in the weeds, but it could be the

key that helps scientists better target medications to specific parts

of the Wnt pathway — a potential gamechanger when it comes to

developing precision cancer treatments.

Right now, there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administrationapproved

medications that target Wnt because their effects are

too broad. The new findings give scientists a specific target in the

Wnt9a-Fzd9b complex, along with an instruction manual for how

they interact.

Follow-up research is required to confirm their results in cancer

cells, but Grainger is hopeful. Medications that target EGFR already

exist for other diseases, which could significantly reduce the time

needed to translate a lab discovery into actionable treatments.

“We’re thrilled with these findings, which wouldn’t have been

possible without zebrafish,” Grainger said. “It’s possible that other

molecules in the Wnt and Fzd families interact, which would offer

additional potential targets. The sky’s really the limit.”


Research reported in the Science Signaling paper was supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood

Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R00HL133458 (Grainger); the National Institute

of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R35GM142779 (Grainger);

the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award no.

R01AI171984 (Triche, Krawczyk and Prokop); the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative DAF, an advised fund of the

Silicon Valley Community Foundation, under award no. DAF2022-249404 (Triche); and the Michelle Lunn

Hope Foundation (Triche). 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 funders.

References

1

Burke E. 2016. Why use zebrafish to study human diseases? I Am Intramural Blog. National Institutes of

Health Intramural Program.

2

Howe K … Stemple DL. 2013. The zebrafish reference genome sequence and its relationship to the human

genome. Nature 496:498–503.

3

Nguyen N, Carpenter KA, Ensing J, Gilliland C, Rudisel EJ, Mu EM, Thurlow KE, Triche Jr. TJ, Grainger S. 2024.

EGFR-dependent endocytosis of Wnt9a and Fzd9b promotes β-catenin signaling during hematopoietic stem

cell development in zebrafish. Sci Sig 17(832).

Immune cells

rely on different

nutrients to

fight cancer

When it comes to our immune cells, the phrase “you are what

you eat” takes on a whole new meaning.

That’s according to a pair of studies by Van Andel Institute and Salk

Institute scientists that highlights the tight links between nutrition

and the cells that make up the immune system. Taken together,

the findings could help improve cancer immunotherapies by

revealing how diet can boost immune cell function.

The first study, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine,

describes how immune cells use two different routes to produce

acetyl-CoA, an essential metabolite required to fight infection and

cancer.

“Like any good system, immune cells have a plan A and a plan B,”

said Dr. Russell Jones, the study’s corresponding author and chair

of VAI’s Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming.

“We’ve pinpointed how these cells use a two-pronged approach

to ensure they have enough acetyl-CoA to do their jobs and

keep us healthy. Importantly, we gained new insights that may

inform tailored dietary strategies for augmenting existing cancer

treatments.”

Cells synthesize acetyl-CoA using nutrients, such as acetate,

derived from food. When a threat is detected, cells add acetyl-

CoA to certain proteins, which then unlock access to the genetic

instructions required to fight disease and infection. Insufficient

acetyl-CoA derails the immune system’s ability to protect the body.

Until now, however, it was unclear exactly how immune cells

maintained their acetyl-CoA reserves. In their study, Jones and

colleagues identified two routes for acetyl-CoA production — a

main route called ACLY and a backup route called ACSS2. Cells

prefer ACLY but, in the event of problems, ACSS2 picks up the

slack to ensure a continual supply of acetyl-CoA.

Although this type of “metabolic flexibility” has been observed in

cancer cells, this is the first time immune cells have been shown to

have similar abilities.


The second study, published in the journal Science, sheds additional

light on how ACLY and ACSS2 help fuel immune cells.

The findings focus on specialized immune cells called effector T cells,

which combat pathogens and other threats such as cancer. When

combating cancer, the continual activity of these T cells can make them

exhausted and unable to continue fighting.

The team found a switch from acetate to another nutrient called citrate

plays a key role in determining how long T cells remain active before

becoming exhausted. The finding highlights how changes in nutrition

and metabolism influence T cell identity, a discovery that may lead to

new ways to help T cells resist exhaustion and better fight threats like

cancer.

The key may lie in how effector and exhausted T cells make acetyl-CoA,

one of the critical metabolites that helps immune cells do their jobs.

Exhausted T cells tend to make acetyl-CoA using ACLY and citrate,

rather than ACSS2 and acetate.

But that’s not all. The team also found that the loss of ACLY helped

T cells fight cancer, while the loss of ACSS2 did the opposite and

reduced T cells’ ability to combat cancer cells.

“Our findings reinforce the tight-knit, nuanced relationship between

nutrition, epigenetics and cell health,” Jones said. “This work also paves

the way toward improved immunotherapies against cancer and other

chronic diseases.”

“... we gained new

insights that may

inform tailored

dietary strategies

for augmenting

existing cancer

treatments.”

— Dr. Russell Jones

Funding Acknowledgements

Research reported in the Journal of Experimental Medicine study was supported by Van Andel Institute; the National

Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award no. T32CA251066 (Watson; PI: P. Jones); the Damon

Runyon Cancer Research Foundation under award no. DRG-#2495-23 (Watson); and the National Institute of Allergy

and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R01AI165722 (R. Jones).

Roy is supported by the Fonds de Recherche due Québec — Santé (FRQS) and the Cancer Research Society under

award no. 192049. Krawczyk is supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under award

no. R21AI153997. Ma is supported by a Cancer Research Institute Fellowship and a Salk Pioneer Fund Postdoctoral

Scholar Award. Kaech is supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease of the National Institutes

of Health under award nos. R01AI066232 and R21AI151986. Jones also is supported by the Paul G. Allen Frontiers

Group Distinguished Investigator Program and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative DAF, an advised fund of the Silicon

Valley Community Foundation.



Research reported in the Science study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of

the National Institutes of Health under award nos. R01AI066232 (Kaech), R21AI151986 (Kaech) and R01AI165722

(Jones); the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health under award no.

R01AA029124 (Jang); the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of

Health under award no. R01EB029122 (Wang); the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National

Institutes of Health under award no. R35GM140929 (Wang); the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes

of Health under award nos. K00CA222741 (Zhao), P30CA01495 (Salk Institute Flow Cytometry Core Facility) and

T32CA009370 (Mann); the National Institutes of Health Office of the Director under award nos. S10-OD023689 (Salk

Institute Flow Cytometry Core Facility) and S10OD034268 (Salk Institute Flow Cytometry Core Facility); the National

Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under award no. P30AG068635 (Gage); Chapman Foundation

and the Helmsley Charitable Trust; an Allen Distinguished Investigator Award, a Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group advised

grant of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (Jones); Van Andel Institute (Jones); American Association for the Study

of Liver Diseases Foundation (Jang); Edward Mallinckrodt Jr. Foundation (Jang); Cancer Research Institute (Mann and

Ma); Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (Mann); and a Salk Pioneer Fund Postdoctoral Scholar Award (Ma).




RESEARCH

A lifelong focus on discovery

and curiosity

proteins that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as

Alzheimer’s.

“Being at a place like VAI unlocks a world of opportunity for me and

my science,” Hinton said. “Not only are there incredible mentors

and co-workers, but there’s tools and equipment that I can work

with to push myself in new directions.”

Variety is a constant feature in her day-to-day work. While most

of Hinton’s time is spent in the lab, there are also opportunities

for computational work. At times, automations need to run for

extended periods of time, creating a cycle of lab, computer and

desk work.

“It might seem like I’m running around the building, but I see it as

an opportunity to be forward-thinking and maximize my time,”

Hinton said. “It’s a balancing act, but I also get to engage all the

parts of my brain — and figure out what I love the most.

Decoding the puzzle of research interests is a profoundly engaging

experience for Hinton. She balances competing scientific interests,

a passion for technology and the drive to learn from other

scientists. The reward is bountiful, she says, a job that is creatively

and academically rewarding.

DR. TIARA HINTON

Dr. Tiara Hinton didn’t realize how much she loved science until

she was in high school.

As a child, she wanted to be a physician: Her favorite toys ranged

from medicine play kits to books about the human body. It wasn’t

“science,” she said, but something that intrigued her brain and

kept her entertained. Then, during a ninth-grade chemistry class

experiment about making ice cream, it all clicked.

“Chemistry showed me a new perspective, seeing how atoms

become molecules, molecules become compounds, and

compounds become things,” Hinton said. “Science became, for me,

something to be explored, an itch that I was barely scratching at

when playing doctor.”

Hinton is an Inspire postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Yang Yang.

As an interdisciplinary scientist, Hinton specializes in studying

She credits the Inspire Fellowship for providing a stable platform.

While there’s a lot to learn, there’s a structure and team that help

her succeed. Meetings and regular check-ins with other program

members, along with the support of VAI staff, play a key role in

professional development.

“We have the opportunity to connect with people from different

backgrounds and knowledge bases, creating a connection that

pushes us all forward together, and I know it’s helping me become

a better scientist,” Hinton said.

Inspire Fellowship — Supporting the next generation

of research leaders through rigorous, personalized

postdoctoral training

Van Andel Institute’s Inspire Fellowship supports exceptional

postdoctoral fellows by reducing barriers, fostering community,

and providing the resources and personalized mentorship needed

for an outstanding training experience. We are committed to

ensuring fellows have a firm foundation from which to launch

their independent research careers — and to make a world of

difference. To learn more, visit vai.org/inspirevai.


Early career

scientists earn

accolades

Earning a grant is a major milestone in any scientist’s career.

These awards provide crucial funding to explore new ideas and launch

potentially paradigm-shifting projects. They also offer external

validation of one’s ideas and approaches.

From July to December 2024, two of VAI’s graduate students were

awarded highly competitive grants. These will support their innovative

research and lead to a better understanding of health and disease.

Funding Acknowledgements

Research reported in this publication was supported by:

1

The National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award no. F99CA294248 (Harmon).

2

The National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under award no. F31AG084199 (Kasen).


National Institutes of Health.

Lauren Harmon

Van Andel Institute Graduate

School Ph.D. Student,

Triche Lab

National Cancer Institute

of the National Institutes

of Health Predoctoral

to Postdoctoral Fellow

Transition Award

Project: Investigating genetic

risk factors for pediatric

leukemia 1

Alysa Kasen

Van Andel Institute Graduate

School Ph.D. Student,

Henderson Lab

National Institute on Aging

of the National Institutes of

Health Ruth L. Kirschstein

National Research Service

Award Individual Predoctoral

Fellowship

Project: Investigating factors

that contribute to Alzheimer’s

disease 2


EDUCATION

Elevating education through

community engagement

In 2024, Van Andel Institute for Education helped curiosity,

creativity and critical thinking thrive through meaningful

community partnerships, strong support for educators and

programs that inspire the next generation of scientific leaders.

Celebrating and supporting educators at Science on the Grand

VAI Education’s Science on the Grand: A STEAM Conference for K–8

Inquiry-based Educators had another exceptional year in 2024, with

158 educators from more than 20 states and several countries in

attendance.

Attendees left with fresh insights and practical strategies to take

on today’s educational challenges and opportunities, such as the

effective use of AI and low-cost ways to incorporate STEM lessons

in classroom instruction.

This year’s conference also introduced new Immersive Field

Experiences. Educators participated in STEM activities, just like

students on a VAI Education field trip, to give them new ideas for

bringing hands-on learning to the classroom. In one such activity,

educators engineered small “vehicles” that could navigate and

even levitate over a magnetized track.

Summer camps engage hundreds of students

The 2024 summer camps served more than 600 students with

engaging one-day and four-day programs focused on science,

engineering and robotics, including:

• A new “Girls in STEM” camp, which celebrated the

accomplishments of women in science and empowered young

girls to reach for the stars in STEM fields. Participants learned

about the contributions of pioneering women in STEM such

as mathematician Ada Lovelace and chemist and physicist

Marie Curie.

• The “Building a Zoo” camp, which brought students together to

construct a collaborative model zoo and then transform it into

an immersive virtual experience.

• A brand-new camp called “Futureville,” in partnership with the

Grand Rapids Public Museum, where students built sustainable

model cities and explored creative ways to use renewable

energy.

“... I learned a lot of information

at Science on the Grand that I

can put into use immediately

into my classroom. I met

so many other like-minded

educators. I learned what

professional scientists are

looking for so I can gear my

students towards that path in

a more efficient way.”

— Science on the Grand attendee


• The high school summer camp, which gave students the chance

to spend a week thinking and acting like scientists under the

guidance of molecular biologists from VAI. Campers learned

basic experiment design and lab techniques and explored

possible career paths in science.

New partnership with Corewell Health

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

VAI Education began a new partnership with Corewell Health Helen

DeVos Children’s Hospital to host engaging, interactive science

lessons for patients as part of the hospital’s WIZkids program.

Each lesson includes a hands-on activity inspired by an

accompanying children’s book. For example, in the “Sneezy the

Snowman” activity, patients create a “snowman” using artificial

snow. They then experiment with ways to keep their snowman

from melting, exploring concepts like thermal insulation and

chemical reactions in the process.

VAI’s educators team up with the hospital’s teachers to record

segments on each activity in the hospital’s studios. Each segment

is later broadcast over the hospital’s internal TV network as part of

their educational programming. Patients receive activity kits so they

can follow along.

“Just when I thought the work we do couldn’t be more rewarding,

I met the folks at WIZkids, and I knew our team would be ecstatic

to bring science-centered fun to the deserving children at Helen

DeVos Children’s Hospital!” said VAI Director and Education Officer

Terra Tarango.

The WIZkids program is part of the hospital’s Dick and Linda

Antonini Hospital School Program.

Through programs and partnerships like these, VAI Education

provides dynamic learning experiences that equip educators and

students with the knowledge and skills to excel in the classroom.


PHILANTHROPY

Building a future to believe in

Dr. Karen Kamerschen values taking care of those in need. She

wants to ensure everyone has food to eat and a safe place to live,

but also extends her focus to the future. One where science and

medicine have evolved to the next level, creating new diagnosis

and treatment tools that make devastating diseases a thing of

the past. She’s championed these values from her hometown of

Laurium in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, through her private clinical

psychology practice in Houston, and now settled in Grand Rapids,

where she gives to various organizations across West Michigan.

“We live in a unique place, a region where, if you want to get

involved, there are quality professionals everywhere,” Kamerschen

said. “Education, food banks, health, science, community outreach

— there are great organizations all over, and I do my best to get

involved where I can make an impact.”

Kamerschen has been a Van Andel Institute supporter for more than

17 years, a relationship that began from reading the Institute’s name

in the newspaper and seeing the building atop Medical Mile. She

gave along with her husband, Dr. Robert Pearson, a psychiatrist who

shared a belief in the transformational power of science. For them,

Kamerschen said, it was an opportunity to be a part of the future, of

making things better, and driving future opportunities for diagnostic

tools and life-changing treatments.

“We didn’t really care if we got recognition, a certificate, or our

names on a plaque — we dreamed about the impact science could

have,” she said.

When Pearson died in 2013, Kamerschen carried on their collective

mission of giving. While legacy was not top of mind when supporting

community organizations, it became clear that their support could

leave a lasting impact through planned giving.

“I started to think of the places I give to regularly, and I realized

an organization like VAI needed to be part of my estate plan,”

Kamerschen said. “Everyone hopes they’ll see breakthroughs and

discoveries in their lifetime, but it’s our support of the long-term

work that can really make a difference.”


Foundational research takes time, but Kamerschen is fueled by the

Institute’s focus. She’s a regular reader of VAI’s Highlights of Hope, and

attends VAI’s scientific events when able.

“If you’re paying attention, there are actually a lot of developments,”

she said. “Even if they feel small now, they can be part of powerful

breakthroughs in the future.”

Showcasing these developments is part of the fun, too. In addition to

reading Institute news, Kamerschen shares it with family and friends,

showcasing the work happening in her own backyard. It’s a point of

pride, she said, to be able to highlight discoveries, but also to encourage

others to get involved. People are always looking for places where their

money can make an impact, and Kamerschen asks her friends to find

places like VAI, where every cent goes toward the cause.

“I don’t have the energy and flexibility I once had, so my involvement

is now toward donating instead of volunteering, pounding nails and

painting,” Kamerschen said. “For me, it’s about the cause — finding one

you believe in, making long-term commitments, and knowing you’re

playing your role in shaping a better future.”

The Jay

and Betty

Van Andel

Circle of

Hope

VAI’s research is fueled by long-term hope

and a focus on building a future where

we have new diagnosis, prevention and

treatment options for diseases like cancer,

Parkinson’s and metabolic disorders.

Together, scientists and educators are

working to improve human health and

educate the next generation of scientific

leaders.

You can help make a brighter, healthier future

a reality by remembering VAI in your estate

plan. These intentions greatly benefit the

Institute’s initiatives, providing resources

that expand our ability to advance science

and education for decades to come. When

you include the Institute in your estate plans,

you are invited to the Jay and Betty Van Andel

Circle of Hope — an honor that showcases

your belief in research and education.

To learn more, please contact Philanthropy

Director Kate Frillmann at 616.234.5515 or

kate.frillmann@vai.org.


PHILANTHROPY

Leading from within

In 1996, Terry Ballard worked as an intern at Butterworth Hospital

in downtown Grand Rapids, supporting communications while

pursuing his passion for video and audio production. His work

led him to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: Dr. Luis Tomatis, first

president of Van Andel Institute, was set to lead a meeting with

various researchers, and needed someone to record it. Ballard

was recommended, and after setting up microphones and other

audio gear he was witness to one of the first meetings in the

Institute’s history.

“I was so nervous to make sure everything worked right, but

Dr. Tomatis and everyone spoke with such care and passion, I felt

privileged to be there,” Ballard said.

Nearly three decades after that recording, Ballard and his wife

Leticia Cuadra-Ballard joined VAI’s Leadership Society, an honor

recognizing more than $10,000 in cumulative giving. Their names

adorn a wooden plaque decorating the Institute’s donor wall,

showcasing not only generosity, but a deep belief in VAI’s mission.

Their formal relationship with the Institute started in 2009, when

Ballard joined VAI to assist with video and audio production.

They began donating to the Institute, looking for ways to make a

difference in people’s lives. Ballard working at VAI was an advantage,

Cuadra-Ballard said, as it allowed them to hear directly from

scientists and educators.

“The people at the Institute, they do more than your average dayto-day

job,” Cuadra-Ballard said. “They understand the monumental

change that can come from even the smallest discoveries. When you

get the opportunity to speak with a researcher you can hear how

passionate they are about their work.”

Originally from Panama, Cuadra-Ballard met her future husband

while they were both students at Ferris State University. She

was invited to be in the audience of a mock game show for her

roommate’s senior project, where she sat next to a sophomore from

the TV production department — Ballard. They clapped, cheered

and faked laughter as necessary, playing as generous audience

members next to their future spouse. The name of the mock game

show? “Let’s make a date.”

Years later, they’ve built a life in West Michigan and are proud

ambassadors for the region. Grand Rapids has become a place filled

with science and technology, Ballard said, while still retaining a true

sense of Midwest community. He’s seen that development firsthand,

with the establishment of VAI kick-starting a period of tremendous

growth and innovation on Medical Mile.

“It’s a unique opportunity to support a cause here at home — in our

backyards — and hopefully continue to build a place that attracts

bright minds from across the globe,” Cuadra-Ballard said.

“The people at the Institute, they do more than

your average day-to-day job. They understand the

monumental change that can come from even the

smallest discoveries. When you get the opportunity

to speak with a researcher you can hear how

passionate they are about their work.”

— Leticia Cuadra-Ballard


The belief in the Institute extends to the rest of their family, too,

as their children have attended various Van Andel Institute for

Education programs. For the couple, it was an opportunity to

provide a different kind of learning, one focused on thinking like a

scientist and developing critical-thinking skills. For their children, VAI

Education offered hands-on learning with long-term impact: their

oldest daughter, now a nurse, developed her passion in science and

medicine through the programs.

After their formal induction into the Leadership Society at the 2024

Carol Van Andel Angel of Excellence Dinner & Award Presentation, the

couple reminisced about their journey alongside VAI. They’ve seen

family and friends come face-to-face with disease, and it’s only

inspired them to continue supporting biomedical research.

Ballard recalls a particularly inspiring moment from Dr. George

Vande Woude, VAI’s founding research director and renowned

cancer scientist. He would ask “Can the Institute keep getting

better?” The answer was succinct: “No question about it.”

“I’ve been here more than 15 years, and thanks to the leadership of

brilliant scientists and the generous support of the West Michigan

community, VAI remains focused on research, and we can proudly

say we’re getting better every single day,” Ballard said.


EVENTS

Van Andel Institute Golf Outing

Community members, businesses and local organizations met

at the picturesque Wuskowhan Players Club for an afternoon

of golf and supporting science. In between tournament swings,

the afternoon featured a drone-drop raffle, silent auction, and

dinner, along with remarks from Shannon Smith and Pam Pike,

organizers of the Railside Purple Community Ladies Golf Event.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, the Timothy Long and William

Mackay Group of Merrill Lynch.

(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) DAVID VAN ANDEL; CAROL VAN ANDEL GREETS GUESTS; BETH VANPORTFLIET CELEBRATES

CLOSEST TO THE PIN CONTEST WIN; GOLFERS WALK THE COURSE; PLAYERS TEE OFF


Couture for a Cure

Fashion, splendor and philanthropy came back to Grand Rapids

for the 19th annual Couture for a Cure. Co-hosts Carol Van Andel

and Rebecca Wierda showcased the latest trends from the

luxury specialists at Leigh’s while welcoming the 2024 featured

designer, A.L.C., and its founder Andrea Lieberman. After runway

presentations, guests took to the dance floor, visited the Artistry

beauty bar and perused a silent auction.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Amway, and our Presenting Sponsors,

Leigh’s and A.L.C.

(STARTING AT TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) CAROL VAN ANDEL; KYLE VAN ANDEL; MODEL WALKS THE RUNWAY;

GUESTS VIEW FASHION PRESENTATION; SCOTT & REBECCA WIERDA, DAVID & CAROL VAN ANDEL; GUEST DESIGNER ANDREA LIEBERMAN


EVENTS

Hope on the Hill Gala —

The Driving Force

Van Andel Institute’s signature gala returned

for its 24th year, held for the first time at

the Amway Hangar at the Gerald R. Ford

International Airport. The new location

featured delectable drinks and exquisite food,

along with a unique showroom showcasing

vintage, historic, exotic and powerful cars. Two

iconic vehicles were available for auction: A

1962 Ford Thunderbird in a gorgeous lightblue

and a 1972 Buick Riviera sporting an

eye-catching green look along with its iconic

boat tail. In addition, guests heard from racing

legend Johnny O’Connell, who develed into the

passion, dedication and intricate knowledge it

takes to succeed in motorsport — and how the

same things are needed in biomedical research.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Fifth Third

Private Bank.


(STARTING AT TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) GUESTS VIEW SILENT

AUCTION; VINTAGE, HISTORIC & EXOTIC VEHICLES ON DISPLAY; GUESTS

GATHER IN AMWAY HANGAR; DAVID VAN ANDEL; AMWAY HANGAR;

GUEST TRIES VIRTUAL REALITY DRIVING SIMULATOR;

GUESTS READY FOR LIVE AUCTION;

CAROL VAN ANDEL


EVENTS

A Conversation About Cancer

and Nutrition Hosted by

Carol Van Andel

Although there is no shortage of purported “anti-cancer”

diets in popular culture, there still are many unknowns about

the relationship between nutrition and cancer. Carol Van Andel

was joined by Maranda and Dr. Evan Lien to dive into what we

know about nutrition’s impact on cancer while discussing how

new breakthroughs could informed tailored dietary strategies.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Howard Miller Company.

(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) CAROL VAN ANDEL; DR. EVAN LIEN, CAROL & DAVID VAN ANDEL; GUESTS GATHER FOR LUNCH;

DR. EVAN LIEN DELIVERS REMARKS; GUESTS LISTEN TO LECTURE


Winterfest Celebration —

20th Anniversary

Supporters, philanthropists and community members from

West Michigan and beyond gathered to celebrate two decades

of Winterfest — a unique gathering in support of Parkinson’s

disease research. The anniversary celebration featured the

latest news in Parkinson’s research, along with an exclusive 20th

anniversary cocktail. Over 20 years, Winterfest has raised nearly

$3 million in support of Parkinson’s disease research.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Buist.

(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) CAROL & DAVID VAN ANDEL GREET GUEST SPEAKER LANDON EASTMAN & FAMILY;

VAI STUDENT AMBASSADOR LANDON EASTMAN; DR. DARREN MOORE; GEORGE SHARPE JR. WELCOMES GUESTS; DAVID VAN ANDEL


EVENTS

Winterfest Celebration

over the years

Take a trip through 20 years of

Winterfest! For two decades, countless

supporters, businesses, sponsors and

philanthropists have gathered in support

of Parkinson’s disease research. Thank you

for your generosity — and see you again

next year!



PHILANTHROPY

Thank you to our generous

event sponsors

To learn more about sponsoring an event, contact Philanthropy Director Sarah Rollman at sarah.rollman@vai.org.

VAI Golf Outing

Dennis & Barbara Adama

Applied Innovation

Bluewater

Bouma Corporation

Custer

David & Carol Van Andel Family Foundation

Erhardt Construction

First National Bank of Michigan

Gallagher

Grand Rapids Christian Schools

Ben & Molly Hunting

Life EMS Ambulance

Loomis, Sayles & Company

M.D. Sass

Macatawa Bank

McAlvey Merchant & Associates

Merrill Lynch — Timothy Long & William

Mackay

Midwest Capital Advisors

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

Priority Health

Rockford Construction

John & Therese Rowerdink

Secrest Wardle

SHARPE

Standard Supply & Lumber /

Zeeland Lumber & Supply

Tom & Mary Stuit

Summit Point Roofing

University of Michigan Health-West

US Bank

Dave & Beth VanPortfliet

Wells Fargo

West Michigan Woman

Windemuller Electric, Inc.

Couture for a Cure

A.L.C.

Acrisure

AHC Hospitality

Amway

Andy J. Egan Co., Inc.

Bengtson Center for Aesthetics &

Plastic Surgery

Bluewater

Chuck & Christine Boelkins

Dan & Sherry Bowen

Cheeky Strut

CWD Real Estate Investment


Jeffrey & Kate DeLongchamp

Doug & Maria DeVos

Brian & Barbara DeVries

Eileen DeVries Family Foundation

First National Bank of Michigan

Robert & Karri Gabridge

Gallagher


Patti Griswold

Kurt & Madelon Hassberger

Paul & Sheryl Haverkate

Dave & Donna Hockstra

J.C. & Tammy Huizenga

Bill & Starr Humphries

Jandernoa Foundation

Jeffery Roberts Design

Veronica & Peter Jones

Kolehouse Strategies

Kool Auto Group

Lake Michigan Credit Union

Leigh’s


The Parlour at CityFlatsHotel

Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan

Jenny Peterson

Scott & Janet Spoelhof Foundation

Scott Group Studio

The Skoog Family

The Steve & Amy Van Andel Foundation

Studio M Interiors

Urban You

Mike & Gayle VanGessel

Vicky Weller

West Michigan Woman

Greg & Meg Willit

XYZ Motors

Hope on the Hill — The Driving Force

Advantage Commercial Real Estate

AHC Hospitality

Al & Robin Koop Foundation

Amway

Aon

Apogee Air

Autocam Medical

Bill & Amy Bennett

Betz Industries

BHS Insurance

Dave & Jill Bielema

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Bluewater

Chuck & Christine Boelkins

Dan & Sherry Bowen

Brigade Fire Protection

Buist

Jerry & Suzanne Callahan

Cascade Rental Center

Ryan & Jessica Cook

Corewell Health

Mimi Cummings

Tom & Tracy Curran

Custer


Jeffrey & Kate DeLongchamp


Eenhoorn, LLC

Michael & Lynette Ellis

Pete & LeAnn Engles

Erhardt Construction

Eurest

Eve Rogus & Paul Becker Foundation

Ferris State University

Fifth Third Bank

Julie A. Fox Family

Gallagher

Dan & Magee Gordon


Martin & Peggy Greydanus

Hansen-Balk Steel Treating Co.


Hope College

Howard Miller Company

Huizenga Group

The Ice Guru

ICN Foundation

iHeart Media

Jandernoa Foundation

John Ball Zoo

Matt & Sarah Jones

Veronica & Peter Jones

Craig & Debra Kinney

Blake & Mary Krueger


Ray & Jeannine Lanning

Life EMS Ambulance

Gary & Vicky Ludema

Grant Ludema

Macatawa Bank


Meijer

The Meijer Foundation

Merrill Lynch — Timothy Long &

William Mackay

Michigan State University College of

Human Medicine

Miller Johnson

Tim & Denise Myers

New Holland Brewing Co.

NPF Investment Advisors

Owen-Ames-Kimball

Pageworks

Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

Pioneer Construction

Pitsch Companies

Plastic Surgery Associates

Priority Health

Quality Air Service, Inc.

Rockford Construction

Rowerdink, Inc.

S.A. Morman & Co.

Tony & Dawn Semple

SHARPE

David & Linda Spencer

Rob & Susan Stafford

Stephen Klotz Family Foundation

The Steve & Amy Van Andel Foundation

Taconic Charitable Foundation

Trillium Investments


Urban You

US Bank

Van Eerden Foodservice

Bob & Grace Van Timmeren

Mike & Bonnie Walters

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

Wells Fargo

West Michigan Woman

Williams Family

Dr. Bart & Wendy Williams

Greg & Meg Willit

Jim & Jane Zwiers

A Conversation Luncheon

Amway

Gallagher

Howard Miller Company

iHeart Media

Kent County Medical Society Alliance

Leigh’s

Meijer

Paul & Anne Nemschoff

Truscott Rossman

West Michigan Woman

Western Theological Seminary

Winterfest Celebration

Rob & Dawn Arnoys

Steven & Amanda Barbour

Buist

Calamos Investments

Jerry & Suzanne Callahan

Custer


The Doubleday Family Trust

The John Dykema & Michele

Maly-Dykema Family Foundation

Ernst & Young LLP

Harvey Automotive

Fiduciary Financial Advisors

Red Glasses Movement

King Street Capital Management


Landscape Design Services

McShane & Bowie, PLC

The McFerron, Murdock, Nicely Family,

In Memory of Philip Nicely

James & Lisa Owen Family

Owen-Ames-Kimball

Pioneer Construction

Rycenga Building Center

SavATree

SHARPE

Straight Line Design


Van Laan Construction

The George & Dorothy Vande Woude

Foundation

West Michigan Woman

William Grant & Sons

Robert & Karen Wiltz

This list includes sponsors of signature events

between September 2024 and February 2025.


TRIBUTES

IN MEMORY OF

Allan Arnoys

Marc Arnoys

Rob & Dawn Arnoys

James Barcelona

Anonymous

Keith Bassett

Regena Bassett

Connie Bickel

Margaret Fondren

Caitlin Boudreau

Brian & Mary Boudreau

Connie Brummel

Roger Brummel

Peter Bylsma

Carol Bylsma

John P. Carrington

Elaine Carrington

Robert Chesnover

Wally & Nina Gorak

Roger J. Cook

Roger & Judy Abbott

Betty Davey

Kate Frillmann

Steve Duane DeVos

Mary DeVos

Jim & Linda Helsel

Karen Dufendach

Nicole Gerda

Bob DuHadway

Carole DuHadway

Melissa Eden

Keith & Carolyn Murphy

Tom Finch

Anonymous

Dr. Nathan F. Ford

John & Arlene Cleveland

Jack Frick

Tom & Carol Breinling

Gordon Girod

Anonymous

Joseph Paul Host

Wally & Nina Gorak

David H. Jirikovic

Melissa Jirikovic

Gisela Kah

Birgit Klohs & Greg Northrup

Paula Kelly

Jerry Hudson

John “Jack” Koehler Jr.

Shirley Koehler

John E. Leese

George & Missy Sharpe

Nelson McBride

Mary Susan McBride

Marion McKnight

Anonymous

Kathleen Moore

Anonymous

Jane Nichols

John Nichols

Sandra “Sandy” Parker

Janet Harestad

Harvey & Maraleigh Heyer

Christopher Sprague

Richard Perkins

Ellen Warren

Denise Picardat

Brian Picardat

Marguerite M. Preston

Maryann Gallivan

Richard Lee Pullen

Ruth Kemp

Bernice F. Rachfalski

Anonymous

Andrew Rachfalski

Lija Romence

David L. Brinks

David L. Rossi

Anne Rossi

Roger Dale Simmons

Bradley & Kimberly Buehler

Gilbert & Donna Fleser

Ann LaRoche

Robert Newman

Keith & Myra Rudy

Gerald “Jerry” Smith

Dorothy DenBleyker

Gerald & Mary Hunsberger

John & Ann Nickels

Frank & Jill Smith

Lynn & Linda Smith

James Edward Smolka

Allied Moulded Products, Inc.

D.D. Industries Inc.

Kaniewski Funeral Homes, Inc.

John & Fran Pajakowski

Scott Singer

Edward & Anne Suchocki

Kristan Bling-Baer

Tim & Marleen Sullivan

Joe & Tricia Schetz

Cyndy Tubergen Napper

Betty Fogersong

We appreciate your trust in us to fight disease in memory

or in honor of your family and friends — with hope for a

healthier tomorrow. To make a gift in memory or in honor of

a loved one, please call 616.234.5392.

These lists represent gifts made between July 1 and

Dec. 31, 2024.


IN HONOR OF

Bill Van Regenmorter

Bill & Rosemary Stevenson

Dr. George Vande Woude

Dave & Sue Birdsall

Laurina Vander Sloot

Karen Vander Sloot

Patricia “Pat” Vaughan

Dr. John Vaughan

Ruth Veldink

Don & Rachel Veldink

Liz Vincent

Dave & Jane Munn

Kyle Gordon Walcott

Dave & Jamie Ballast

Midway RV Center

Mike Naber

Dona Whitehouse

Birgit Klohs & Greg Northrup

Jill Marie Wiltzer

Schubert Male Chorus of

Grand Rapids

Randal L. Winchester

Charles & Lois Winchester

Patrick Wong

The Pi Family

Joyce York

David & Betty York

Daniel Young

Joe & Kelley Young

Bill Zoller

Carole Zoller

Joanne Arnoys

Rob & Dawn Arnoys

Bill Baer

Nancy Mogle

Helen Banfill

Elizabeth Collins

Hope Berk

Anonymous

Benjamin Butler

Joanne Butler

Thomas & Nancy Coles

Dr. Peter Coles & Sue Bourget-Coles

Steve Enochs

Anonymous

Mary Frederiksen

Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy

Lori Hathaway

Jane Nott

Jane Rhoades

Anonymous

George Sharpe Sr.

William & Paula Murphy

Ashlin Slanger

Lech Szumera

Brian Smalls

Richard Smalls

Carol Van Andel

Bill & Laureen McKendry

Frances Walker

Robert Walker

Nicole Weingartz

L&L Products


The Jay and Betty Van Andel

Circle of Hope

VAI’s research is fueled by long-term hope and a focus on

building a future where we have new diagnosis, preventative

and treatment options for diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s

and metabolic disorders. Together, scientists and educators

are working to improve human health and educate the next

generation of scientific leaders.

You can help make a brighter, healthier future a reality

by remembering VAI in your estate plan. These intentions

greatly benefit the Institute’s initiatives, providing resources

that expand our ability to advance science and education

for decades to come. When you include the Institute in your

estate plans, you are invited to the Jay and Betty Van Andel

Circle of Hope — an honor that showcases your belief in

research and education.

To learn more, please contact Philanthropy

Director Kate Frillmann at 616.234.5515 or

kate.frillmann@vai.org.

2025 HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | Spring/Summer Issue

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

2025 HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | Spring/Summer Issue

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?