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Accolades

Accolades

Over the past three decades, Van Andel Institute has grown into a world-class research and education organization at the leading edge of innovation. Our reputation for impactful science, inspired education and catalytic collaboration is reflected in a growing number of awards and accolades from a host of well-known, respected organizations.

Institutional Accolades

2025 Nature Index Research Leader

In North America, VAI ranks no. 5 among nonprofit/nongovernmental organizations in biological sciences, according to the Nature Index. Globally, we are ranked no. 17.

LEED Platinum Certification

In 2011, Phase II of VAI’s building was awarded LEED Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. In 2023, VAI also was awarded the LEED Green Building Legacy Award.

Faculty Accolades

VAI’s outstanding community of scientists includes both established investigators and rising stars in their fields. The following list of faculty honors is current as of August 2025.

Endowed chairs recognize a career-spanning record of scientific achievement and honor VAI supporters for which the endowed chairs are named.

 

Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson’s Disease Research
Darren Moore, Ph.D.

 

Peter and Emajean Cook Endowed Chair in Epigenetics
Peter W. Laird, Ph.D.

 

Ralph and Grace Hauenstein Endowed Chair in Structural Biology
Huilin Li, Ph.D.

The Harvey Prize is widely considered to be a Nobel predictor, with more than 30% of recipients going on to win the Nobel Prize.

 

2025: Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)
2025: Stephen B. Baylin, M.D.

The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by then-President Abraham Lincoln as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. It is one of three academies that work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. Election to the academy is a career-defining honor that reflects a record of impactful scientific achievement.

 

2016: Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)
1993: George Vande Woude, Ph.D.

The National Academy of Medicine, formerly the Institute of Medicine, was founded in 1970 to address issues in health, science and medicine. It is one of three academies that comprise the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation. Considered to be among the highest honors in the fields of medicine and health, election to the academy recognizes a record of outstanding achievement and service.

 

2017: Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)

Established in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences stands among the nation’s oldest scholarly institutions with a mission to address social and intellectual issues of common concern.


2017: Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)
2006: George Vande Woude, Ph.D.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science is one of the world’s largest scientific societies. Election as an AAAS Fellow is a distinguished honor that recognizes and celebrates outstanding scientific achievements.


2015: Gerd Pfeifer, Ph.D.
2013: George Vande Woude, Ph.D.
2009: Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)

The AACR Academy recognizes and honors distinguished scientists whose major scientific contributions have propelled significant innovation and progress against cancer. Fellows are selected through a rigorous peer review process that evaluates individuals on the basis of their stellar scientific achievements in cancer research.


2014: Stephen B. Baylin, M.D.
2013: Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon), and George Vande Woude, Ph.D.

The AIMBE College of Fellows recognizes those who have made exceptional contributions to “engineering and medicine research, practice or education” and to “the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of medical and biological engineering or developing/implementing innovative approaches to biological engineering.” The College represents the top 2% of medical and biological engineers.


2025: Hui Shen, Ph.D.

This 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.


2024: Russell Jones, Ph.D., and Peter W. Laird, Ph.D.
2023: Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon), Russell Jones, Ph.D., and Peter W. Laird, Ph.D.
2022: Russell Jones, Ph.D., and Peter W. Laird, Ph.D.
2021: Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon), Russell Jones, Ph.D., Peter W. Laird, Ph.D., and X. Edward Zhou, Ph.D.
2020: Peter W. Laird, Ph.D.
2019: Peter W. Laird, Ph.D.
2018: Peter W. Laird, Ph.D., and Stephen B. Baylin, M.D.

The American Society for Hematology Scholar Award supports early-career investigators in hematology. It is among ASH’s most prestigious award programs.


2025: Derek Janssens, Ph.D.

The Klingenstein-Simons Award in Neuroscience supports exceptional early-career scientists by fostering innovative research in neurological and behavioral disorders.


2019: Juan Du, Ph.D.

The Scholar Award program supports promising early-career neuroscientists who are committed to investigating fundamental problems that, if solved, could have significant impacts in the clinic.


2019: Juan Du, Ph.D.

Pew Scholar awards support exceptional early-career scientists who seek answers to pressing questions about health and disease.

 

2025: Nick Burton, Ph.D.
2020: Juan Du, Ph.D.

Awarded annually since 1955, Sloan Research Fellowships honor exceptional early-career researchers in the U.S. and Canada who are rising stars in their areas of study.


2025: Travis Walton, Ph.D.
2020: Juan Du, Ph.D.