# Van Andel Institute

> Van Andel Institute is an independent nonprofit in Grand Rapids that investigates the biology of cancer, Parkinson’s and metabolic disease, connects discoveries to clinical trials through international partnerships, and teaches scientific inquiry from K-12 classrooms to doctoral laboratories.

- **Founded:** 1996
- **Headquarters:** Grand Rapids, United States
- **Founders:** Jay Van Andel (Co-founder), Betty Van Andel (Co-founder)
- **Products:** Biomedical research, Core Technologies and Services, Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology, K-12 science education, Clinical translation collaborations
- **Notable:** Invested US$10 million in cryo-EM equipment and related construction, announced in 2017., Reports 141 peer-reviewed publications for 2025., Reports 15 VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team trials launched to date.

## Products & services

- **Biomedical research** — Basic and translational investigation spanning epigenetics, neurodegeneration, metabolism, cell biology and structural biology.
- **Core Technologies and Services** — Shared expertise and instrumentation including cryo-EM, genomics, flow cytometry, optical imaging, mass spectrometry, pathology and bioinformatics; external users request services and pricing through CrossLab.
- **Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology** — Research-intensive doctoral education using problem-based learning; the Graduate School is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- **K-12 science education** — Student programs, field trips, teaching resources and professional development through Van Andel Institute for Education.
- **Clinical translation collaborations** — Partner-led cancer and Parkinson’s trials, including the VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team and International Linked Clinical Trials.
- **BISCUIT** — Open-source toolkit originating in the Shen laboratory for analyzing DNA methylation sequencing data.

## Achievements

- Invested US$10 million in cryo-EM equipment and related construction, announced in 2017.
- Reports 141 peer-reviewed publications for 2025.
- Reports 15 VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team trials launched to date.
- Phase II building expansion received LEED Platinum certification in 2011 and a regional LEED Green Building Legacy Award in 2023.
- Graduate School received initial Higher Learning Commission accreditation in 2013, reaffirmed in 2024.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Derek Janssens received a five-year NIH New Innovator Award worth nearly US$4.6 million to study epigenetic regulation of immunity.
- **2026-09** — Phase 2 EVITA findings suggested an exploratory survival benefit from oral vitamin C; abnormal blood-cell growth rates did not differ significantly. Phase 3 confirmation is needed.
- **2025-12** — VAI and Cure Parkinson’s renewed their funding partnership for three years.
- **2025-10** — VAI announced Jonathan D. Licht’s appointment as president and chief scientific officer, to begin in early 2026; its current leadership page lists him in both roles.

## Links

- Website: https://www.vai.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/van-andel-institute/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/VAInstitute
- GitHub: https://github.com/vari-bbc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vainstitute/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanAndelInstitute/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/van-andel-institute
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-17