Van Andel Institute Forum on Cancer and Parkinson’s Disease
Van Andel Institute cordially invites you to our Forum on Cancer and Parkinson’s Disease, which will highlight breakthrough research and clinical initiatives designed to better understand and treat these difficult diseases.
Guests will hear from Dr. Peter A. Jones, VAI’s chief scientific officer, and Dr. Darren Moore, chair of the Department of Neurodegenerative Science, about discoveries from VAI labs and what’s next in our efforts to create a healthier future.
Suggested Attire: Business Casual (ties are not required).
- 6:00 - 7:00 pm Guest arrival and strolling cocktail hour
- 7:00 - 7:05 pm Welcome remarks by Tim Long, Co-Chair, VAI Board of Governors
- 7:05 - 7:30 pm Invocation by Carol Van Andel, Executive Director, David & Carol Van Andel Family FoundationDinner is served
- 7:30 - 7:45 pm Remarks by David Van Andel, VAI Chairman & CEO
- 7:45 - 8:00 pm Lecture by Dr. Peter A. Jones, VAI Chief Scientific Officer
- 8:00 - 8:10 pm Lecture by Dr. Darren Moore, Chair & Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, MiND Program
- 8:10 - 8:25 pm Open Q&A with audience led by Dr. Peter A. Jones & Dr. Darren Moore
- 8:25 - 8:30 pm Closing remarks by Tim Long
- 9:00 - 11:00 pm After Glow ReceptionLearn More
Host Committee:
Mike and Lynette Ellis
Dr. Martin and Peggy Greydanus
Mike and Sue Jandernoa
Tim and Kim Long
Gary and Vicky Ludema
Paul Becker and Eve Rogus
John and Therese Rowerdink
Duke and Karen Suwyn
David and Carol Van Andel
Dave and Beth VanPortfliet
Dr. Les and Jane Wong
Chief Scientific Officer, Van Andel Institute
Dr. Peter A. Jones is a pioneer in epigenetics, a growing field that explores how genes are regulated and provides new avenues for developing therapies for cancer and other diseases. His discoveries have helped usher in an entirely new class of drugs that have been approved to treat blood cancer and are being investigated in other tumor types. Jones is a past president of the American Association for Cancer Research, a Fellow of the AACR Academy, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.
Chair and Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute
Dr. Darren Moore seeks new diagnostic and treatment approaches for Parkinson’s by investigating the inherited form of the disease, which comprises 5% to 10% of cases. He aims to translate the understanding of these genetic mutations into better treatments and new diagnostic tools for Parkinson’s, both inherited and non-inherited. Discoveries from Moore’s lab routinely elucidate the faulty molecular interactions that transform healthy, functioning neurons into diseased ones.
