2024 VAI Graduate School Commencement Program

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE GRADUATE SCHOOL
2024 | COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
1 P.M. | TOMATIS AUDITORIUM
DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE PDF OF THE PROGRAM BOOKLET AND GRADUATING STUDENT
BIOSKETCHES AT BIT.LY/VAI2024COMMENCEMENT.
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. Connie Krawczyk
INTRODUCTION OF GRADUATES BY MENTORS
Dr. Gerry Coetzee
Dr. Carrie Graveel
Dr. Russell Jones
Dr. Matthew R. Steensma
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
Alix Booms
Shelby Compton
Rachel (Rae) House
CONTINUING STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
Joseph Floramo, 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
Alix Booms — Dr. Gerry Coetzee
Shelby Compton — Dr. Russell Jones
Rachel (Rae) House — Dr. Matthew R. Steensma/
Dr. Carrie Graveel
VAN ANDEL EDUCATION INSTITUTE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
David Van Andel
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Van Andel Institute
James E. Bultman, Ed.D.
Susan Keipper Meell
Juan Olivarez, Ph.D.
Teresa Weatherall Neal, Ed.D. (hon)
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE GRADUATE SCHOOL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Juan Olivarez, Ph.D.
Chairman of the Board
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.
Gerry Coetzee, Ph.D.
Juan Du, 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.
Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)
Russell Jones, Ph.D.
Connie Krawczyk, Ph.D.
Peter Laird, Ph.D.
Heidi Lempradl, Ph.D.
Huilin Li, Ph.D.
Evan Lien, Ph.D.
Wei Lü, Ph.D.
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.
Hui Shen, Ph.D.
Xiaobing Shi, Ph.D.
Matthew R. Steensma, M.D.
Eric C. Swindell, Ph.D.
Piroska Szabó, Ph.D.
Tim Triche, Jr., Ph.D.
Hong Wen, Ph.D.
Bart O. Williams, Ph.D.
Mary Winn, Ph.D.
Evan Worden, Ph.D.
Tao Yang, Ph.D.
Qiang Zhu, Ph.D.

Alix Booms
Dissertation: Functional Evaluation of a Parkinson’s
Disease Risk Enhancer in Microglia
Thesis Adviser: Gerry Coetzee, Ph.D.
Hometown: Greenville, MI
Next Step: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in
Lempradl Lab
Shelby Compton
Dissertation: Mechanisms of LKB1-mediated
inflammation in tumor progression
Thesis Adviser: Russell Jones, Ph.D.
Hometown: Saugatuck and Grand Haven, MI
Next Step: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in
R. Jones Lab
Rachel (Rae) House
Dissertation: Illuminating NF1-Driven Metabolic
Reprogramming in ER+ Breast
Cancer and Innovating Methodology for
Metabolic Inquiry
Thesis Adviser: Matthew R. Steensma, M.D. and
Carrie Graveel, Ph.D.
Hometown: Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Next Step: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Lien Lab
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 49 scholars from 14 different countries. Including
today’s graduates, 43 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 Roels, 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 Alli Roman, and administrative
team members Taijah Claybrook, Michelle Love, and Susanne Miller-Schachinger.

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