On Monday, Van Andel Institute Graduate School (VAIGS) closed one chapter while opening another at its 2017 commencement and convocation ceremony.
After nearly five years as a VAIGS student, Nate Merrill earned his Ph.D. in cell and molecular genetics and is officially an alumnus. As a student Nate worked toward his thesis — the role of PI3K class IIa in autophagy — under mentor Dr. Jeff MacKeigan. Nate will be starting a postdoctoral fellow position at the University of Michigan this fall — we can’t wait to see the impact he makes on the health and lives of future generations!
We are thrilled to welcome seven new students to VAIGS! This marks a major milestone for VAIGS who just celebrated its 10-year anniversary of the matriculation of its first class. This year also marks the fifth anniversary of the conferral of the first doctoral degree in 2012. Over the past 10 years, VAIGS has proudly welcomed 51 students and graduated 15.
Once again, congratulations to Dr. Merrill and welcome to the incoming students! To learn more about VAIGS click here.