Van Andel Institute’s Forum on Metabolism and Parkinson’s Disease
This event is sold out.
Van Andel Institute cordially invites you to our Forum on Metabolism and Parkinson’s Disease for an evening of discovery, conversation and impact.
Dr. Sara Nowinski will give attendees a crash course in metabolism and how it fuels our day-to-day lives, how problems with metabolism can contribute to disease, and how there is more to mitochondria than what we learned in science class.
Dr. Darren Moore will share the latest advances in Parkinson’s disease research, including his work into the role of genetics in disease onset, news about how a cough medicine is being investigated as a potential Parkinson’s treatment, and what is on the horizon in Parkinson’s research.
Suggested Attire for Bonita Bay Club:
Neat and tasteful casual attire is encouraged. Acceptable attire includes Golf and Sports attire, flawless blue jeans, and denim. Inappropriate attire includes collarless shirts, flip flops, swimwear of any kind, and hats for men.
Host Committee:
Paul Becker and Eve Rogus
Dave and Karen Custer
Mike and Lynette Ellis
Martin and Peggy Greydanus
Peter and Veronica Jones
Tim and Kim Long
Gary and Vicky Ludema
John and Therese Rowerdink
Duke Suwyn
David and Carol Van Andel
Dave and Beth VanPortfliet
- 6:00 - 7:00 pm Guest arrival and strolling cocktail hour
- 7:00 pm Welcome remarks by Tim Long
- 7:05 pm Invocation by Carol Van Andel
- 7:05 pm Dinner is served
- 7:30 pm Remarks by David Van Andel, Chairman & CEO
- VAI video presentation
- 7:45 pm VAI overview by Dr. Peter A. Jones, VAI Chief Scientific Officer
- 7:50 pm Lecture by Dr. Sara Nowinski, Assistant Professor, Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming
- 8:00 pm Lecture by Dr. Darren Moore, Chair & Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, MiND Program
- 8:10 pm Open Q & A with audience with Dr. Peter Jones, Dr. Sara Nowinski & Dr. Darren Moore
- 8:25 pm Closing remarks by Dr. Peter Jones
- 8:30 pm Conclusion of event
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; Director, MiND Program
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.
Assistant Professor, Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming, Van Andel Institute
Dr. Sara Nowinski investigates how cells determine the amount of energy needed for everyday life and how they adjust to meet those requirements. Her research has uncovered new insights into the intricate balance between nutrient availability and cellular respiration — both critical components to maintaining health.
