GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Jan. 16, 2025) — Van Andel Institute’s free Public Lecture Series returns Feb. 5. This year’s lineup will cover topics such as brain cells, soundwaves and cancer, inquiry-based learning in classrooms, backyard microbes and gene-editing technology.
All lectures will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. EST. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. More information is available at vai.org/public-lecture-series.
“The Public Lecture Series is a great way to connect with the community, allowing attendees to hear directly from our scientists and educators about the latest breakthroughs in research and K–12 education,” said VAI Philanthropy Director Sarah Rollman. “With fresh voices and new perspectives, we’re excited to see what this year has in store.”
Read below for lecture descriptions.
The Building Blocks of Brain Cells
Melissa Hoyer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute
Feb. 5, 2025 | Virtual & in-person
Dr. Hoyer will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how our brain cells work — and how they contribute to health and disease. Register today ➔
Are Sound Waves the Next Big Cancer Breakthrough?
Dr. Clifford Cho, M.D., Professor, Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute; Chief Medical Officer, University of Michigan Health-West
May 14, 2025 | Virtual & in-person
Dr. Cho will share the latest on histotripsy — a promising new cancer treatment that uses soundwaves to disrupt tumors — and highlight how the immune system effects of histotripsy could improve overall cancer care. Register today ➔
Using Inquiry-Based Learning to Build Future Innovators
Terra Tarango, Director and Education Officer, Van Andel Institute for Education
Sept. 17, 2025 | Virtual & in-person
VAI for Education’s Director and Education Officer Terra Tarango will explore the power of inquiry-based instruction in fostering curiosity, creativity and critical thinking — essential traits for the next generation of innovators. Register today ➔
How Backyard Microbes Could Help Treat Disease
Nick Burton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming, Van Andel Institute
Nov. 19, 2025 | Virtual only
Dr. Burton will enlighten attendees on how studying microbes harvested from soil, leaf litter and riverbanks may help us develop new therapies for a host of diseases. Register today ➔
The Promise of Gene Editing with CRISPR
Hong Li, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute
Dec. 17, 2025 | Virtual only
Dr. Li, an expert in CRISPR-Cas gene-editing technology, will give a crash course in what gene-editing is (and isn’t) and how it is changing the game in health research. Register today ➔