2023 Fall/Winter Highlights of Hope

HIGHLIGHTS OF
HOPE
FALL/WINTER ’23 ISSUE
2 Breakdown of mechanisms can drive lung cancer 3 Discovery may inform diabetes
treatments 4 Empowering osteoprosis discovery 6 VAI & WashU scientists to lead
genome center | Developing improved method for studying metabolism
7 VAI & Cure Parkinson’s renew partnership 8 Could backyard bacteria and hungry worms
help solve a central problem in Type 2 diabetes? 12 Pinpointing potential vulnerability
in tough-to-treat cancers 13 Bladder inflammation may contribute to multiple system
atrophy 14 VAI scientist nets award to study “cellular powerhouses”
16 Cellular “fuels” boost immunity 18 Celebrating five years of discovery in metabolism
20 Parkinson’s expert Dr. Laurent Roybon establishes lab
21 Early-career scientists earn accolades 22 Education highlights
24 Purple Community highlights 26 Donor spotlight: Matt Cook
28 Events 36 Event sponsors 38 Memorials & Tributes

RESEARCH
Breakdown of protective
mechanisms can drive lung
cancer development
Losing a pair of “protector” proteins kickstarts changes that
transform healthy lung cells into cancerous ones, according to
research from Van Andel Institute scientists.
The findings may have implications for cancer treatment and
prevention strategies.
“Our study sheds new light on the importance of epigenetics in
cancer development,” said Dr. Gerd Pfeifer, a VAI professor and
senior study author. “In theory, it is easier to target epigenetics
than genetics in cancer treatment, which opens fresh possibilities
for new therapies.”
Cancers largely arise from errors in DNA, which scramble the
genetic instructions required for normal function. This allows
malignant cells to flourish and spread, crowding out healthy cells
and causing illness.
Since the 1980s, however, scientists have recognized the role
of another critical regulatory system in cancer development:
epigenetics.
Epigenetic mechanisms govern whether genes are “on” or “off” by
adding or removing special chemical tags. When these tags aren’t
used at the right time, they can wreak havoc and drive disease
development.
Although epigenetic mechanisms are now recognized as central
players in cancer, exactly how these processes work remains
unclear.
To find answers, Pfeifer and his team focused a pair of proteins
tasked with protecting genes from inappropriate tagging.
Using models of lung cancer, they found that the loss of each
protein on its own had minimal impact but losing them in tandem
unleashed chaos and resulted in cancer. The findings are among
the first to demonstrate a wholly epigenetic origin for cancer cells.
Going forward, Pfeifer plans to explore this process in other cancer
types. If the phenomenon occurs beyond lung cancers, it could
have broad implications for the development of new therapies.
“This discovery was a welcome surprise,” Pfeifer said. “I hope it leads
to new opportunities to more effectively prevent and treat these
devastating diseases.”
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute and the National Cancer Institute of
the National Institutes of Health under award no. R01CA234595 (Pfeifer). The content is solely the responsibility
of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
“This discovery was a welcome
surprise. I hope it leads to new
opportunities to more effectively
prevent and treat these
devastating diseases.”
— Dr. Gerd Pfeifer
2 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

How a new discovery
may inform future
diabetes treatments
A team led by Van Andel Institute and Max Planck Institute of
Immunobiology and Epigenetics scientists has identified two distinct
subtypes of insulin-producing beta cells, each with crucial characteristics
that may be leveraged to better understand and treat Type 1 and Type 2
diabetes.
Beta cells are critical guardians of the body’s metabolic balance. They are
the only cells capable of producing insulin, which regulates blood sugar and
keeps it from rising to dangerously high levels.
In Type 1 diabetes, beta cells are attacked by the body’s own immune
system, rendering them unable to produce insulin.
In Type 2 diabetes, excess blood sugar from one’s diet causes beta cells
to work overtime. Eventually, they can no longer keep up and blood sugar
concentrations spike.
Both diseases are treated by enhancing insulin’s ability to do its job, either
by providing insulin itself or by augmenting its activity and release into the
blood. Some people with Type 1 diabetes may elect to have a beta cell
transplant, an experimental procedure in which functioning cells from a
donor are implanted into the pancreas.
The new findings offer several potential paths toward future diabetes
treatments, such as adjusting the ratio of beta cell subtypes in transplants
to ensure optimal function.
“All cells vary in some way, but these two beta cell subtypes are discretely
and consistently different from one another. This indicates that they
serve two different but necessary functions as insulin producers. They
are specialists, each with their own roles,” said VAI Professor Dr. J. Andrew
Pospisilik, senior author of the study. “We also see differences in the ratio
of one subtype to another in diabetes. Understanding these two cell types
— and their relationship to each other — gives us a clearer picture of
diabetes and offers new opportunities for treatment.”
The Alberta Diabetes Institute Islet Core and Clinical Islet Laboratory of the
University of Alberta, in collaboration with the Human Organ Procurement and
Exchange (HOPE) program and Trillium Gift of Life Network, provided the islet
cells. All donors’ families gave informed consent for the use of pancreatic tissue
in research. Without them, this work would not have been possible.
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication was supported by 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). 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.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 3

RESEARCH
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 earlier this year 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 one in five 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 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 is also associated with X chromosomes, meaning it is more
active in women than in men. Because of this, disorders linked to
KDM5C are much more prevalent in women — a common thread
shared 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’s Employee Impact Campaign, a fund sustained by the
generosity of Institute employees. Once a year, VAI scientists and
educators pitch their ideas to employee-donors, who then vote on
which projects to support.
DR. CONNIE KRAWCZYK
DR. HUADIE LIU
4 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

The fund gives fledgling research projects the springboard they
need to get off the ground and gather the early data required to
secure subsequent grant funding.
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.
“The Employee Impact Campaign 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.”
“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.”
Funding Acknowledgement
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.
As part of their project, the Krawczyk and Yang labs focused on
specialized cells called osteoclasts, which help maintain bone
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.
DR. TAO YANG
DR. LUKAI ZHAI
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 5

RESEARCH
VAI, WashU scientists to lead
genome center under $140M
NIH initiative
Van Andel Institute’s Dr. Hui Shen and Washington University
School of Medicine in St. Louis’ Dr. Ting Wang will co-lead a
collaborative project supported by the Somatic Mosaicism across
Human Tissues (SMaHT) Network, a new $140 million National
Institutes of Health–led effort to better understand the genetic
differences between individual cells and tissues in the body.
Somatic mosaicism occurs when DNA, which houses the genetic
code, accumulates slight changes throughout a person’s lifetime.
Some variations may impede cells’ ability to function. Somatic
mosaicism is a key contributor to cancer, but its role in other
diseases is not well understood.
SMaHT aims to identify and catalog these somatic variants in
different individuals and enable new research into development,
aging and a host of disorders.
Together, Van Andel Institute and Washington University will operate
one of five SMaHT-supported 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.
DR. HUI SHEN
“We all carry such genetic mosaicism in our bodies, but the extent
and implications of these variations remain unclear. Establishing an
accurate picture of its role in the body is a massive undertaking that
only can be achieved through collaboration,” Shen said. “I am thrilled
to partner with Dr. Wang and the SMaHT Network, and look forward
to contributing to a fuller understanding of this important and yet
very much uncharted aspect of our cells.”
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication is supported by the NIH Common Fund under award no.
UM1DA058219. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the
official views of the National Institutes of Health.
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.
Together, the research team 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 breakthroughs.
6 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
“Our new protocol offers an important proof of concept for our
ongoing efforts to enhance research tools and strategies, which
in turn enables new discoveries in health and disease,” said Dr.
Ryan Sheldon, director of VAI’s Mass Spectrometry Core and senior
author of the study, describing the project. “This work would not
have been possible without the exceptional Core Technologies
and Services team here at VAI and the Institute’s commitment to
collaboration and rigorous science.”
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute.

Working together
for a cure: VAI,
Cure Parkinson’s
renew funding for
Parkinson’s disease
clinical trials
Clinical trials are critical steps toward treatments that slow or
stop Parkinson’s progression, a feat not possible with current
therapies.
That’s why, since 2014, Van Andel Institute and Cure Parkinson’s
have partnered to support the International Linked Clinical
Trials (iLCT) program, which identifies potential new therapies
for Parkinson’s disease primarily from drugs approved or being
developed to treat other conditions.
By using drugs that already have passed rigorous safety and
toxicology trials, 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 people with Parkinson’s.
iLCT is now the world’s largest drug repurposing clinical trial
program for Parkinson’s. As of spring 2023, iLCT has completed
20 trials of 15 iLCT-evaluated drugs involving 1,439 people with
Parkinson’s. Twenty-one trials of 17 iLCT-evaluated drugs are
currently underway, including a Phase III trial of a cough medicine
being investigated for its potential to impede disease progression.
Earlier this year, VAI and Cure Parkinson’s reaffirmed their
commitment to iLCT by renewing our co-funding agreement for
three years. The agreement pledges $4.5 million in match funding
to Parkinson’s research, strengthening an already long-standing
partnership.
“We are thrilled to continue partnering with Cure Parkinson’s
to support the International Linked Clinical Trials initiative and
our collective pursuit of new treatments that could slow or stop
Parkinson’s progression,” said Dr. Darren Moore, chair of VAI’s
Department of Neurodegenerative Science and a member of the
iLCT Scientific Committee. “Together, we are committed to finding
life-changing therapies that give people more years with improved
quality of life.”
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 7

RESEARCH
Could backyard bacteria and
hungry worms help solve a central
problem in Type 2 diabetes?
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 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 exist in worms the same
way they exist 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.
8 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

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 often staid experiments that are
standard in science curricula across the country. There’s no correct
answer and no guarantee that the students will find anything. Instead,
there is the potential for 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 every day — that chance.”
Real research, real impact
Lauren “Ren” Pearson, Faith Van Duinen and McKenna Nietupski don
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 Lab. Throughout fall 2022, Gates made the half-hour trek
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 9

RESEARCH
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 not-quite-right
ones.”
“And on top of that,” Nietupski adds, “I like
how there’s always something new. 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.
References
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 a 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 life-changing breakthrough?
“The possibilities are endless,” Burton said. “I
can’t wait to see what comes next.”
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
10 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 11

RESEARCH
Study pinpoints potential
vulnerability in tough-to-treat
cancers
Cancer cells wield an arsenal of tactics to survive.
But a new discovery from VAI scientists has illuminated a critical
weakness that may enable improved treatment.
The findings reveal for the first time how loss of a protein called
LKB1 causes inflammation to spiral out of control. The resulting
chemical firestorm damages healthy cells and pushes them to
transform into cancerous ones.
“It’s a perfect storm of problems for which we now have potential
solutions,” said Shelby Compton, a Van Andel Institute Graduate
School Ph.D. student and the study’s first author.
The loss of LKB1 is among the most common culprits behind
cancer, especially lung, pancreatic and cervical cancers. Tumors
that lose LKB1 are tough to treat because they resist traditional
chemotherapy and many of the latest immunotherapies.
LKB1 is also the main player in the rare disease Peutz-Jehgers
Syndrome. People with Peutz-Jehgers Syndrome develop polyps in
their digestive tract and have a significantly elevated cancer risk.
“Understanding how and why this mutation leads to cancer is
a critical step in developing more effective treatments,” said
Dr. Russell Jones, chair of VAI’s Department of Metabolism and
Nutritional Programming and the study’s senior author. “Our study
identifies important features of these cancers and suggests that
targeting inflammation may make these tumors more responsive
to treatment.”
The next step, Jones says, is to “put ideas into action” by developing
strategies to target inflammation in LKB1-associated cancers.
The team also plans to continue exploring LKB1 in Peutz-Jehgers
Syndrome with the goal of working toward new, much-needed
therapies.
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute.
12 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Bladder inflammation from UTIs
may contribute to multiple
system atrophy
A study led by VAI and KU Leuven scientists has linked bladder inflammation
from urinary tract infections (UTIs) with an increased risk of developing multiple
system atrophy (MSA), a rare neurodegenerative disease with few treatments
and no cure.
UTIs are common and most people who experience them do not go on to
develop MSA. However, by identifying bladder inflammation as a risk factor,
the team has shed new light on MSA’s largely mysterious origins and paved
the way for new research into treatments that may slow or stop disease
progression.
Like many neurodegenerative diseases, MSA is likely caused by clumps of
abnormal proteins that clog and eventually kill cells in the brain and nervous
system. As these vital cells are lost, people experience worsening symptoms,
including movement difficulties, breathing challenges, irregular blood
pressure, and more. The protein involved in MSA is called alpha-synuclein.
But what causes normal proteins to transform into harmful ones?
In MSA, one answer appears to be inflammation. The study revealed that
bladder inflammation caused by UTIs can trigger alpha-synuclein proteins to
form clumps called aggregates, which then migrate through the nerves to the
brain. Once there, they continue to spread and, in some cases, cause MSA.
About one in 25,000 people is affected by MSA. UTIs increased the risk of
developing the disease three-fold, the study revealed.
Taken together, the findings offer an extraordinary glimpse into MSA’s
earliest stages and give scientists a potentially powerful — and desperately
needed — target for developing new therapies.
The study’s corresponding author is Dr. Patrik Brundin, who served as VAI’s
Deputy Chief Scientific Officer before moving to Roche in 2022. Its first author
is Dr. Wouter Peelaerts, an assistant professor at KU Leuven who completed
a postdoctoral fellowship in Dr. Brundin’s lab at the Institute. VAI’s Dr. Lena
Brundin, Dr. Michael Henderson and Dr. J. Andrew Pospisilik are also study
co-authors.
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute; a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship (Peelaerts); an Integrated DNA
Postdoctoral Fellowship (Peelaerts); a FWO Flanders Postdoctoral Fellowship (Peelaerts); the Farmer Family Foundation (P. Brundin); and the
American Parkinson’s Disease Association (Ivanova). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the
official views of the funding organizations.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 13

RESEARCH
VAI scientist nets $2.4 million award
to study ‘cellular powerhouses’
Our cells are powered by tiny “powerplants” called mitochondria, which transform nutrients into fuel that
sustains life.
But there’s more to the story of mitochondria, says Van Andel Institute Assistant Professor Dr. Sara Nowinski.
Thanks to a new five-year, nearly $2.4 million Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) 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.
“Mitochondria are hubs for metabolism. We know they’re great at breaking nutrients down to generate energy, but
what is less known is that they also build things, namely fats. The question is why?” Nowinski said. “This award will
allow us to seek answers by digging deep into the details of how mitochondria do their jobs and how they impact
health and disease.”
Each cell in the human body — all 37.2 trillion of them — contains between 1,000 and 2,500 mitochondria, which
convert oxygen, sugars and fatty acids into a cellular fuel called ATP. Breakdowns in this vital process have been
linked to a host of diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and diabetes.
But mitochondria also inexplicably build chains of fatty acids, a process Nowinski believes acts as a connector
between nutrient sources and energy.
“Based on our research, we think this pathway links the nutritional environment of cells to their ability to generate
energy,” she said. “How this process happens and why it happens is not well understood. The Maximizing
Investigators’ Research Award will enable us to find answers and reshape what we know about mitochondria.”
Maximizing Investigators’ Research Awards are highly competitive and provide scientists “with greater stability and
flexibility, thereby enhancing scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs,” according to the
National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Nowinski is the sixth VAI scientist in the last six years to earn a MIRA.
She joined VAI’s Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming in 2021.
“This award will allow us to seek answers by digging deep
into the details of how mitochondria do their jobs and how
they impact health and disease.”
— Dr. Sara Nowinski
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award no. R35GM151245 (Nowinski).
The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
14 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 15

RESEARCH
Alternative cellular ‘fuels’
boost immunity
A metabolic by-product that is more prevalent during fasting may supercharge immune cells as they fight infection
and disease, reports an early stage study by Van Andel Institute scientists 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.
“This study helps us better understand how nutrition affects the immune system,” said Dr. Russell Jones, Chair of VAI’s
Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming and the study’s senior author. “This is an exciting first step and
we look forward to one day translating this knowledge into dietary recommendations to boost immune function.”
The findings center on ketone bodies, which are regularly produced by the liver but become more numerous when
glucose, a sugar that acts as the main power source for cells, is in short supply. This can occur during exertion such as
exercise, when cells are rapidly burning through fuel, or during fasting, when there is little food available to be broken
down into glucose.
To compensate, the liver steps up production of ketone bodies to feed the brain and other organs. The study shows that
ketone bodies also power immune cells, a surprise finding that illuminates new connections between diet and immunity.
Like other cells in the body, T cells — the soldiers of the immune system — absorb nutrients like glucose from our diets to
generate the energy required to do their jobs. Jones and colleagues demonstrated that T cells prefer ketone bodies over
glucose as a fuel source. They also found that ketone bodies improve T cell function by reprogramming them to better
neutralize threats. Conversely, loss of the ability to process ketone bodies causes defects in T cell function and hampers
their ability to combat infection.
The authors hypothesize that ketone bodies may be an evolutionary failsafe that boosts the immune system when nutrient
resources are limited, such as when one’s appetite is suppressed during illness.
“This work underscores how different nutrient fuels source distinct cellular functions,” said Dr. Peter Crawford, Vice Dean
for Research and Professor of Medicine at University of Minnesota Medical School and study co-author. “It also fosters
future interest in considering the diversity of nutrient fuel utilization patterns among different immune cell types in varying
infectious disease or cancer contexts.”
Although the study suggests increasing ketone bodies through fasting or intermittent fasting regimens may enhance T cell
function in certain circumstances, other studies suggest that fasting may suppress immune function. Rather than being
at odds with one another, these studies illuminate the intricate interactions between diet and the immune system and
underscore the need for further research into this complex relationship.
Going forward, Jones and colleagues will explore how fasting and ketone body supplementation impact immune function,
with a focus on T cells’ ability to fight cancer.
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication was supported by Van Andel Institute and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award
no. R01AI165722 (Jones). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
16 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 17

RESEARCH
VAI celebrates five years of discovery
in metabolism and nutrition
Bold action, clear vision and deep commitment drive innovative
breakthroughs.
At Van Andel Institute, this approach enables us to make big strides
with major impacts, like launching our metabolism and nutrition
research program in 2018.
From the beginning, our goal has been to translate discoveries into
scientifically driven strategies for promoting health, and preventing
and treating diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s and diabetes.
Five years on, the program is now home to five laboratories, each
making vital discoveries that shed new light on how metabolism
and nutrition impact health and disease. We also have established
a state-of-the-art mass spectrometry facility, which offers
specialized equipment and expertise to support discoveries in
metabolism and beyond.
“Building a research program from scratch is no small feat — it
requires concentrated effort and commitment from an organization
and scientists who are willing to take a leap of faith,” said
Department Chair Dr. Russell Jones. “None of this would have been
possible without VAI’s dedication to making it happen. Today, we
have a thriving metabolism research program whose scientists are
making big advances that may one day improve human health.”
To keep the momentum strong, the Institute also established
the MeNu Program, which facilitates metabolism research and
collaboration among scientists at VAI and other institutions. It
provides several funding mechanisms that help VAI researchers get
new ideas off the ground and supports early career scientists as
they work toward independent positions.
18 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

To date, scientists in VAI’s Department of Metabolism and
Nutritional Programming have:
• Revealed how certain nutrients fuel the immune system’s ability
to fight cancer and infection
• Pinpointed a key driver of bone loss in osteoporosis
• Explored the ripple effect that nutrition has through generations
• Developed new models and tools to facilitate research across
diseases
• Investigated how cells generate and use energy — and what
happens when these processes break down
• Illuminated new insights into the relationship between diet,
metabolism and cancer
In the coming years, VAI scientists hope to leverage these
discoveries — and discoveries that have yet to be made — into
real-world strategies to augment existing treatments for cancer
and other diseases.
“We’ve made great progress so far, but our work is only beginning,”
Jones said. “Together with our collaborators, we look forward to
translating our findings into actionable ways to help people and
support health.”
Learn more about VAI’s metabolism and nutrition research at
vai.org/metabolismRA.
“Together with
our collaborators,
we look forward
to translating
our findings into
actionable ways
to help people
and support
health.”
—Dr. Russell Jones
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 19

RESEARCH
Parkinson’s expert Dr. Laurent
Roybon establishes lab
VAI Associate Professor Dr. Laurent Roybon is working to pinpoint how and
why neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s start and progress — and
he’s using a breakthrough technique to do it.
Roybon joined the Institute in 2022 as director of the VAI MiND Program’s
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Platform, which helps scientists across the
Institute implement iPSCs into their research. In 2023, he also was appointed as
an associate professor who will establish and lead his own lab.
His goal? To identify improved treatments that impede progression in
Parkinson’s and other neurogenerative diseases — something not possible with
current therapies.
To do so, he leverages the power of iPSCs, which are derived from blood or skin
cells and “reprogrammed” in the lab to return to an earlier “blank slate” state.
From there, they can be coaxed to become other types of cells, making them
powerful tools for scientists. For example, using iPSCs, scientists can generate
living brain cells in the lab — allowing them to see firsthand the mechanisms
underlying neurodegeneration.
“Our goal is to move forward our understanding of neurodegenerative
processes and develop innovative treatments to help patients and decrease
burden on care partners,” Roybon said. “Using induced pluripotent stem cell
technology, we can study these diseases in reprogrammed cells from patients,
which will greatly aid in the development of personalized treatments. VAI is a
fantastic place that is home to globally recognized expert scientists and stateof-the-art
research facilities, which will help us implement our projects.”
What is a stem cell?
Stem cells are biological
“blank slates” that
give rise to all the
specialized cell types
needed to assemble and
power the human body,
from skin cells to heart
cells and everything
in between. One of
their many important
jobs is to maintain the
body throughout life by
replacing dead cells
and rejuvenating
damaged tissues.
20 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Earlycareer
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
approach.
From January to August 2023, five
postdoctoral fellows and graduate
students have been awarded highly
competitive grants, which will support their
innovative research and lead to a better
understanding of health and disease.
Kelsey Carpenter, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Grainger Lab
American Cancer Society Postdoctoral
Fellowship
Project: Achieve a more detailed
understanding of blood cell development 1
Richard Cassidy
Van Andel Institute Graduate School Ph.D.
Candidate, Fondufe-Mittendorf Lab
National Science Foundation Graduate
Research Fellowship
Project: Explore how arsenic exposure can
drive abnormal lung cell migration, a key
characteristic of cancer 2
Lauren Harmon
Van Andel Institute Graduate School Ph.D.
Candidate, Triche Lab
American Society of Hematology Graduate
Hematology Award
Project: Seek out genetic contributors to
pediatric acute myeloid leukemia, which is
the most lethal of childhood leukemias 3
Funding Acknowledgement
Research reported in this publication was supported by:
1
The American Cancer Society under award no. PF-23-1037956-01-CCB.
2
The material is based upon work supported by the National Science
Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under grant no.
2334593. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations
expressed in this material are those of the author and does not
necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
3
The American Society of Hematology (ASH).
4
The PhRMA Foundation.
5
McLane Watson is a Damon Runyon Fellow supported by the Damon
Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (DRG-2495-23).
The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not
necessarily represent the official views of the funding organizations.
Vladimir Molchanov
Van Andel Institute Graduate School Ph.D.
Candidate, Yang Lab
PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
in Drug Delivery 2023
Project: Improve osteoarthritis treatment
by developing a new approach to “seek” and
“heal” damaged cartilage 4
McLane Watson, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Russell Jones Lab
Damon Runyon Cancer Research
Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Award
Project: Investigate new ways to
supercharge cancer immunotherapies
by identifying how metabolism fuels
immune cells 5
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 21

EDUCATION
K–12 impact in West Michigan
and beyond
Students discover what’s in their water
Van Andel Institute for Education worked alongside students from
Evergreen Christian Academy as they learned about the valuable
role watersheds play in maintaining a healthy water supply. VAI
educators led students through several activities in which they
tested different methods of cleaning up contaminated water and
experimented with various models of density. Once students
had collected information, they worked together to share this
newfound knowledge with the community using informative and
interactive presentations. The event taught students how learning
could be memorable, meaningful and fun, and forged a promising
partnership between VAI and the Evergreen Christian Academy.
Taking science learning on the road
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy (MGLVA) partnered with
Van Andel Institute for Education to host two Curiosity on Wheels
events, which brings STEM 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 professional development
sessions, where they experienced the benefits of project-based
learning along with practical and approachable strategies for
implementing authentic learning practices in their classrooms.
For the second year, VAI took Curiosity on Wheels on the road to
partner with Newaygo County Prevention of Child Abuse and
Neglect for a series of summer camps in three West Michigan
locations: Fremont, Newaygo and White Cloud.
The Institute also established a new Curiosity on Wheels partnership
in Eaton Rapids. While working with Eaton Rapids Teen Center,
VAI engaged 30 middle and high school students in handson
engineering challenges that got them to think critically and
creatively to solve problems; these included constructing small
rockets to reach a desired target and coding small orbs known as
Spheros to successfully maneuver through a series of mazes.
Through a growing number of partnerships like these, Curiosity on
Wheels continues to broaden VAI’s impact in communities across
West Michigan and beyond.
STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON SCIENCE ACTIVITIES WITH VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION
22 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Flexible learning options for today’s teachers, students
As part of our commitment to serving teachers and students
wherever we’re needed, a number of VAI programs are available
in multiple formats: onsite at VAI’s classrooms, virtually and
on-location at classrooms across the region.
These include Van Andel Institute for Education Field Trips, which
saw a continued surge of interest in the first half of 2023. The
Institute served more than 2,700 students with field trips between
January and June, a 54% increase over the previous year.
Our professional development for administrators and teachers
included engagements with 16 schools, including schools across
Michigan, as well as in Arizona, Kansas and Ohio. Thanks to support
from our donor community, VAI’s resources support educators
all over the country in implementing inquiry-based instructional
practices. With more than 14,000 educators subscribed across all
50 states, VAI’s impact on education has never been stronger.
To access resources listed here and learn more about VAI’s K–12
programs, visit vaei.org.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 23

PURPLE COMMUNITY
Turning a Mini fandom into a
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 across 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
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 members’ 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 into 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.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) ATTENDEES PURCHASE MINI
ON THE MACK SWAG; GEORGE SHARPE JR.; JIM CVELBAR;
MINI COOPERS GATHER FOR THE PARADE
24 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

“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
gathering 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 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, since his mother is a cancer survivor.
It was breathtaking to see thousands of people
sharing his interest, he said, all while knowing they
were there 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, raising more than
$31,000 for VAI.
MINI on the Mack brings together thousands of Mini owners to break world
records, experience a unique trip across the Mackinac Bridge and raise
money for a worthwhile cause. Led by Sharpe Cars and MINI of Grand
Rapids, the event nearly broke the record for the longest parade of Mini
cars in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
The event returned to St. Ignace in August, with more than 1,120
Minis crossing the bridge in a parade of passion for their vehicles and
biomedical research.
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 25

PHILANTHROPY
At the crossroads of community
and 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.
“We’re a not-for-profit institution that recognizes our employees
and members are 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 looking
to support grassroots outreach, VAI Purple Community. Purple
Community is a dynamic community awareness and fundraising
program, connecting individuals, schools, teams and companies
with the resources needed to take action.
LMCU was 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.
“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.
Their support doesn’t end there — LMCU is a longtime sponsor
of Couture for a Cure, Grand Rapids’ fashion extravaganza, and
Hope on the Hill, the Institute’s gala honoring science, discovery
and the heroes working to untangle 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.
MATT COOK ATTENDS
CURIOSITY HOUR
26 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

“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 with the
Institute beyond his role at LMCU. He’s
been 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’ve
even brought VAI’s passion for science
education beyond the event: His wife,
Carlie, is a high school science teacher
and has participated in VAI’s inquirybased
learning professional development
opportunities.
“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.”
— Matt Cook
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 using 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.”
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 27

EVENTS
Carol Van Andel Angel of
Excellence Dinner & Award
Presentation
Recognizing those who embody the Institute’s spirit, the Carol
Van Andel Angel of Excellence Dinner & Award Presentation
brought together supporters, community members and
scientists to honor those with an extraordinary passion for
our mission. The 2023 award recipients were Holly Barker,
Dr. Jim and Martie Bultman, Hope College, Howard Miller
Company and Jane Zwiers.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) JANE ZWIERS & CAROL VAN ANDEL; DR. JIM & MARTIE BULTMAN & CAROL VAN ANDEL;
GUESTS GATHER FOR THE AWARD PRESENTATION; BUZZ MILLER & CAROL VAN ANDEL;
HOLLY BARKER & CAROL VAN ANDEL; HOPE COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH PETER STUURSMA,
CAROL VAN ANDEL & HOPE COLLEGE PRESIDENT MATT SCOGIN
28 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Around the World
The official kickoff to summer, Around the World brought
together wine, food and VAI supporters to enjoy the first
rays of sunshine. VAI’s JBoard Ambassadors welcomed our
supporter community for a sampling from artisan wineries
and local restaurants, along with an inside look at VAI’s K–12
Education initiatives.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) JBOARD CO-CHAIR BLAKE CRABB BIDS ON SILENT AUCTION;
GUESTS PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATION PRESENTATION; GUESTS PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES; TERRA TARANGO DELIVERS REMARKS;
CAROL & DAVID VAN ANDEL
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 29

PHILANTHROPY
Board of Governors Annual Dinner
Bringing together the Institute’s most ardent and generous
supporters, this evening focuses on elevating VAI’s mission
and showcasing its achievements. Hosted at Cascade Hills
Country Club, the event featured the “State of the Institute”
from Institute Chairman and CEO David Van Andel, along
with a deep dive into K–12 Education from Chief Education
Officer Terra Tarango.
If you are interested in joining the Board of Governors, please
contact Kate Frillmann at 616.234.5515.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE)
DAVID VAN ANDEL; BOARD OF GOVERNORS CO-CHAIRS VICKY LUDEMA & TIM LONG DELIVER REMARKS;
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEMBERS GATHER; VAI CHIEF EDUCATION OFFICER TERRA TARANGO DELIVERS REMARKS; CAROL VAN ANDEL
30 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Fash Forward with Max Mara:
Spring/Summer Fashion Show
World-renowned Italian brand Max Mara visited Grand Rapids
for a one-of-a-kind fashion experience. The intimate gathering
featured lunch at the Institute followed by a unique runway show
featuring Max Mara’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection. Guests had
access to an exclusive Max Mara shopping experience, giving those
in attendance VIP access to a specially curated selection of the
brand’s best offerings.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE)
CAROL VAN ANDEL; MAX MARA SHOPPING EXPERIENCE;
MAX MARA FASHION PRESENTATION;
MAX MARA STORE DIRECTOR DANNY MILLER
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 31

EVENTS
VAI Open — Pickleball Charity Event
America’s fastest growing sport came to Grand Rapids for the
first ever Pickleball Charity Event. The event kicked off with a
joyful dinner at MDRD the evening before the tournament, giving
participants an opportunity to meet each other and participate in
an auction. Novice and advanced players alike partook in a roundrobin
tournament atop the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, competing
for bragging rights while raising funds for biomedical research.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, MDRD, RoofTop Pickleball and
20x44 Sports.
32 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

(STARTING AT TOP LEFT, GOING CLOCKWISE) DAVID VAN ANDEL;
ADVANCED PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT WINNERS; BEGINNER PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT WINNERS;
CAROL VAN ANDEL; PICKLEBALL PLAYERS; TIM & KIM LONG WARM UP;
GEORGE AQUINO PREPARES PLAYERS FOR TOURNAMENT
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 33

EVENTS
JBoard Member Mixer
West Michigan’s brightest network of young professionals
came together to celebrate summer while engaging with the
future of science and education. Celebrating VAI’s JBoard, the
event featured food and cocktails, along with an intimate Q&A
with VAI postdoctoral fellows and educators.
If you are interested inbecoming a JBoard Ambassador, please contact
Alexandra Griffith at 616.234.5110.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) GUESTS GATHER AT MIXER; GUESTS VIEW PIZZA OFFERINGS;
JBOARD GUESTS ENJOY THE MIXER; VAI POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS;
JBOARD CO-CHAIRS RACHEL MRAZ & BLAKE CRABB
34 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Curiosity Hour: Out of This World
Students, teachers and families signed up for an interplanetary
adventure at Van Andel Institute for Education. Our educators
guided these galactic explorers through unique experiences and
demonstrations: designing and building a space lander, deploying
code to a rover collecting rock samples, and even meeting some of
the extreme animals that live on Earth.
(STARTING AT TOP RIGHT, GOING CLOCKWISE) GUESTS KICK OFF THEIR EXPERIMENTS;
RANDY SCHREGARDUS GIVES INSIGHT INTO UNIQUE ANIMALS; GUESTS ENGAGE WITH EDUCATION STATION;
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT STEM TECHNIQUES
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 35

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.
Winterfest
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
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
Mike & 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 Cars
Straight Line Design
Trillium Investments
Trinity Health
Mike & Gayle VanGessel
Warner Norcross + Judd
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
This list includes sponsors of signature events
through August 2023.
36 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 37

PHILANTHROPY
MEMORIALS
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.
Ron Adams
Julie VanWalsem
Carol Becker
Julie VanWalsem
Robert Bradford
Marvin & Ruth Bradford
Adam Cnossen
Anonymous
Carol Alton
Anonymous
Carol Aman
Shirley Overbeek
Cindy Andrews
Melissa Kam
Ron Anger
Shelley Gibbons
Allan Arnoys
Joanne Arnoys
Howard Baker
Staci Thornton
Harry Barnett
Anonymous
Lauren Baron
Aaron Goodyke
Mary Batog
Brian Kazmierczak
Lynette Bell
Jill Veldhoff
Bill Van Berlo
Rob & Anne DeYoung
Evelyn Flynn
The Hramiec Family
Chris & Angelina Peters
Nelly Petit
Mary Sue Prantera
Max & Mary Putters
David & Martha Radle
Martin Van Berlo
Martina Vandekerkhof
We Care — Emmet County
Nicole Beuschel
Sue & James Baar
Austin Boersema
Josh Renkema & Jennifer Boersema
Chelsea Boet
Danielle DeWitt
John Bruursema
Anonymous
Chad & Lisa MacHiele
Richard Bryan
Anonymous
Darlene Buck
Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids
Linda Buckingham
Shannon & Kevin Crothers
Scott Cameron
Kohl’s
Ron Carpenter
Jeannie Ellis
Cristy Churchill
Bob & Christy Jastifer
Maureen Clark
Anonymous
Peggy Clifford
Anonymous
Maxine Combs
Krista Combs
Mark Cook
Eric & Stephanie Green
Bill Cozat, Sr.
Randy & Sara Garing
Amy Dekock
Ruth Dekock
Mary Geskus
Jenny DeVormer
Deb Grutter
Peggy DeVries
Jacqueline Kozal
Margaret Diedrich
Ann Geer
Deborah Huizenga
Stan Swidwa
Cheryl Vandyke
Ruth Doxey
Gloria Doxey
38 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

Theresa Drost
Casey Jankoska
Carol Ann Haarman
Stephen Haarman
Betty House
Nanci & Mike Marsman
Loralee Larson
Merry Bengry
Jack Duggan
Josh Duggan
Paula Dutton
Heath Dutton
Pat Dzieciolowski
Jen Amorose
Marie Eldridge
Richard & Barbara Eldridge
Robert Ficeli
Kenneth & Maryann McIntyre
Marjorie Fitch
David Fitch
Wyla Fleming
Gloria Doxey
Linda Glowski
Michelle Carley
Matt Gould
Janel Gould
Renee Grundy
Anonymous
James Harpe
Anonymous
Emmanuel & Barbara Farrugia
Loretta Gaither
Greater Regional Alliance of Realtors
Michael & Cynthia Hashim
James & Karan Johnston
Stephen & Mary Nelson
Kenneth & Diane Obudzinski
Allora Oppenneer
Sal & Kathy Ortiz
Darryl & Marce Perry
Gary Hessler
Jeff & Joan Van Fossan
Lori Hirdes
Anonymous
Miki Hoag
Kristena Connelly
Kelly Creguer
Mary Smith
Tim Hollern
Amy Hollern
Gerald Hopewell
Lucinda Goetz
Glen Edgar Houser
Anonymous
Betty Jo Kesterson
Don & Dana Newberg
Gary & Jo Ellen Sutton
Thomas & Thomas PLLC
Michael Jergovich
Laura Douglass
Jim Johnson
Joanne Johnson
Deb Kaiser
Kim Oleksa
Pam Kalkman
Paula Phillips
Alice Kelleher
Mary Wheeler
Chris Klene
Mick & Carolyn Klene
Kelly Shepherd
Denise Kraker
Anonymous
Maxine Krolik
Jacqueline Kozal
Carol Layman
Jacqueline Kozal
Elizabeth Lietzke
Anonymous
Thomas Maddox
Anonymous
Michael & Linda Brown
Tiffany Buchholz
Austin Burton
Dennis & Judith Clinger
Brent Cook
Marilyn Cope
Ann Currie
Peter Currie
Russ & Jayne Danhoff
Glen Griffin
James & Janice Heeren
Gary & Rosemary Kailing
Samantha Keith
Rose Lawrence
Scott Spidell
The Meanwhile Bar
Jeff & Sharon Toogood
Jerald & Patricia Vanden Berg
Lynn Vis
Dale Williams & Mary Currie-Williams
Sean Maitner
Christina Finkler
Douglas LaDue I
Anonymous
Donna Majdak
Anonymous
Christina Follett
Madison Follett
Leonard & Deborah Solomon
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 39

PHILANTHROPY
MEMORIALS
Adeline Mauriello
Heather Mauriello
Augusta Myles
Kenneth & Maryann McIntyre
Jeff Pline
Jerome Klein
Gary Rusticus
Adam & Lies Rusticus
Irene McDermed
Anonymous
Dawn Nielsen
Susan McGee
Kevin Ramso
Karen Melton
Ann Devroy
Charles Miller
Jerome Klein
Kathleen Minielly
Anonymous
Cy & Sandy Minnella
Lisa Minnella
Carolyn Mitchell
Stephanie Bixler
Jim Moore
Shirley Hickman
Dave Mundwiler
Tami Vanball
Lucille Murawski
Kathleen Folkema
Violet Nemecek
Mary Bachman
Dave Nemecek
Jamie & Jason Nemecek
Teresa Nielsen
Patricia Kosters
E. Peter Nyehhuis
Joanne Arnoys
Kristie Olthoff
Gary Olthoff
Jan Osbeck
Kevin Osbeck
Pauline Partridge
Dennis Partridge
William J. Passinault
Jim & Betsy Passinault
Jeff Paulen
Alex & Katie Paulen
Justin & Christine Paulen
Liz Pearson
Chuck & Jennifer Pearson
Larry Petty
Anonymous
Donnabel Mae Plummer
David & Kristen Nonhof
Thelma Poll
Tonya Paalman
Valerie Poppema
David & Kristen Nonhof
Heather Potter
Paula Tenharmsel
Julia Reed
Anonymous
Sarah J. Rijfkogel
Sam & Brenda Rijfkogel
Patrick Riley
Jacqueline Kozal
Clementine “Teenie” Rogus
Paul Becker & Eve Rogus
David L. Rossi
Anne Rossi
Thomas Rossi
Jacqueline Kozal
Raymond Sandera
Laura Sandera
Martin Schei
Rick & Brenda Becker
Gerald Schnurstein
Catrina Schnurstein
Eula Schweigert
Anonymous
Fred Shortsle
Beth Shortsle
Tom Shririlla
Patricia Bonnell
Kim Slot
Kim Moran
Garry Smeyers
Melissa Fuglseth
Tricia Kosten
Kimberly Smeyers
Sharon Smeyers
40 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

David Sowerby
Anonymous
Scott & Nicole Harris
Lynne Kotarski
Rebecca Sowerby
Anne Spencer
Patricia Cebelak
Lois St. John
Windy Pasman
Frank Stanitzek
Patty Joynt
Richard Stanley
Michael Tietz
Rachel Suhanic
Danielle Trecroce
Chuck Swanson
Anonymous
Dorcus Taylor
Patricia Gessler
Elinor Taylor
Sharai Delong
Marcus Tenbusch
Anonymous
Patrick Tepper
Jerry & Wendi Moore
Kailey Tepper
Clifton Thege
Hilary Byma
Constance McNair
Claudia Smith
Chandra Tameia Todd
Teresa Branson
Virginia Toering
Nancy Crumback
Robert Trepa
Melissa Denzer
Cyndy Tubergen Napper
Betty Fogersong
Joyce Van Artsen
Mary Forslund
Dick & Connie Murley
Bill Van Regenmorter
Bill & Rosemary Stevenson
Bruce Vandam
Matt & Rachael Bremer
Willard Vandenberge
Brenda Rus
Tim Vander Molen
Rebecca Vander Molen
Elizabeth VanderJagt
Steve & Mary Vanderjagt
Debra VanderMei
Courtny Cardosa
Patricia Vaughan
John Vaughan
Rebecca Vogelsang
Stephen & Jennifer Czech
Larry Wagner
Christine Bouman
Doris Way
Veronica Van Wagoner
Wendell Westover
Caroline Angus
Mary Jane Westrick
Melissa Westrick
Britten Williams
Anita Andes
BDR Custom Homes
Kevin & Krin Dreuth
Dennis & Shirley Guertin
Jennifer Hinde
Drew & Ann Peters
Britten & Katy Williams
Anonymous
Robert & Suzanne White
Randy Winchester
Marcus & Monica Dolce
Tom Wiseman
Scott Wiseman
Virginia Woodhouse
Jacqueline Kozal
Mary Jo Wright
Anonymous
Suzanne Krick
Roger Little
Wayne & Joyce Wiester
Nikki Robach Wyble
West Michigan Tag & Label, Inc.
Linda Wynsma-Karnes
Bill Andree
Lynn Blue
Jeff Stuppy
Daniel Young
Joe & Kelley Young
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 41

PHILANTHROPY
TRIBUTES
William GP Baehre
Leon Baehre
Larry Desmith
Sandy Desmith
Fred & Connie Handwerg
Brett & Rachael Handwerg
Trevor Rasmussen
Marilyn Rasmussen
Jodi Vosburg
Andrew & Megan Linn
Sarah Berger
Anonymous
Jeff Duffield
Heather James
John Haraburda
Julie Byrne
Susan Reoch
Elizabeth Boyer
Keegan Williams
Lawrence Elliott
Pete Bernoske
Jacqueline Fellows
Vicki Brunner
Janette Cochran
Amy Campbell
Kim Haraburda
Toni Christopher
Joli B. Pecht
Emma Corneillie
Dayna Anderson
Amber Corneillie
Marcus & Monica Dolce
Marie & Joseph Pierce
Hildie Saunders
Carl Urbon
Linda Cotts
Julie Baareman
Adriana Cramton
Tammy Buehler
Analiese Crothers
Anonymous
Violet DeKeyser
David & Brenda Pearce
Deb Fara
Stephen & Danielle
Hollingsworth
Christine Fitchett
Joann Bonczyk
Lee Formwalt
Sanders Foundation
Ezra Gearhart
Anonymous
Jerry Genzink
Roger & Sharon Sneller
Jan Gier
Gordon & Kathryn Tulgestke
Dr. & Mrs. Josef Gindzin
Ken & Jill Peirce
Wally Glaza
Wallace & Sandra Glaza
John Green
Kyle Williams
Anna Grysen
Deb Wisniewski
Danielle Hollingsworth
Stephen Hollingsworth
Larry Knowlton
Andy & Heidi Knowlton
Linda Knowlton
Daniel Lee
Dan & Kristi Lee
Emily Lobb
Anonymous
Larry McCurdy
Robert Kubiak
Judy Miller
Sue Boylan
Aunt Judy Miller
Ryan & Megan Kosecki
Tami Milobinski
Jim & Brooke Terpstra
Lynh Nguyn
Hoa Huynh
Carrie Morgan Penny
Abby Fogg
Robert Schweigert
Anonymous
Tricia Smeyers Kosten
Sharon Smeyers
Bridget Strategos
Margaret Ross
Jack Sullivan
Jennifer Duncan
Jason TenHarmsel
Paula TenHarmsel
Rick Torimaru
Kenneth & Maryann McIntyre
Bob Tuinstra
Julie Paarlberg
Mary Van Denend
Ralph & Linda Fairbanks
Jan Vandermolen
Carl Vandermolen
Irma Vela
Desiree Rodriguez
Gary Wine
Kathy Wine
Anna Ytsma
Larry & Elisabeth Fischer
These lists represent gifts made between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2023. The accuracy of these lists is very important to us. Please contact 616.234.5392 if an error has been made.
42 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE | 43

Van Andel Institute
represents a family
legacy. Founded by
Join the Jay and Betty Van Andel
Circle of Hope
A significant and growing number of individuals and households have
remembered VAI in their estate plans. These planned giving intentions
will greatly benefit the Institute’s research into diseases like cancer,
Parkinson’s, and metabolic disorders, as well as our work to educate the
next generation of scientific leaders and foster curiosity, creativity and
critical thinking in K–12 classrooms.
Jay and Betty
Van Andel, that
legacy is now
carried forward by
Chairman and CEO
VAI honors those who have included the Institute in their estate plans
through the Jay and Betty Van Andel Circle of Hope. When you notify us
of your intentions, you are invited to become a member.
We welcome a conversation about estate giving that
makes the most sense for you while also supporting
the mission of VAI. Additional information about
estate giving can be found at vai.giftlegacy.com.
Please contact:
Kate Frillmann, Philanthropy Director
616.234.5515
kate.frillmann@vai.org
David Van Andel
and his wife, Carol.
Highlights of Hope is supported through
Van Andel Institute operational funds,
ensuring 100% of donations go
toward the Institute’s research and
educational efforts.
JAY VAN ANDEL
BETTY VAN ANDEL