Recognizing exceptional teaching and mentorship
September 17, 2026
For Dr. Michael Henderson, mentoring the next generation of scientists is more than a responsibility: it’s a way of paying forward the opportunities that shaped his own career in neuroscience.
Henderson is the recipient of this year’s Steven J. Triezenberg Excellence in Graduate Education Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions made to Van Andel Institute Graduate School through exceptional teaching, mentoring and service. The award was established in 2006 and later renamed in honor of the Graduate School’s founding dean.
“This award is a real privilege, and I’m honored to be counted among past recipients whom I greatly admire,” Henderson said. “It has given me the opportunity to reflect on how I got here.”
Teaching Innovation AwardIn addition to the Steven J. Triezenberg Excellence in Graduate Education Award, the Graduate School recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and novel contributions to Ph.D. education at VAI. This year’s Teaching Innovation awardees are Drs. Carrie Graveel, Russell Jones and Sara Nowinski. These exceptional scientists were recognized for redesigning and reframing graduate school courses in ways that enhance student learning and engagement. Their efforts exemplifies the creativity, impact and student-centered spirit that define innovative teaching. |
The recognition is especially meaningful for Henderson, now an associate professor in VAI’s Department of Neurodegenerative Science, because of the influence his own mentors had on his career. When deciding to join VAI, Henderson reached out to his undergraduate advisor who offered him three pieces of advice: Remember where you came from, how you got there and to pay it forward to the next generation.
Effective mentorship is about more than helping trainees develop scientific skills, Henderson said. It means giving someone else the spark, the chance or the honest advice they need to become to best version of themselves.
“To me, mentorship means putting myself in the shoes of trainees,” Henderson said. “I remind myself daily what it was like to not have the knowledge base I have now, to not know how to judge my own success and to be unsure what type of career was realistic.”
This ethos is evident in Henderson’s approach to teaching Ph.D. students, said Graduate School Dean and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Eric Swindell. Henderson was previously recognized with a Graduate School Teaching Innovation Award in 2025 alongside fellow Associate Professor Dr. Laurent Roybon.
“The Excellence in Teaching award represents the highest recognition of service to the Graduate School and honors those who strive to excel in all aspects of graduate education,” Swindell said. “Dr. Henderson has consistently shown dedication and passion in training the next generation of biomedical science leaders.”