Van Andel Institute’s Focal Centers in cancer and Parkinson’s are hubs for translating groundbreaking discoveries into clinical trials. Established in 2020, the VAI Cancer Center and VAI Parkinson’s Disease Center provide a support and infrastructure for scientists to develop and implement translational cancer and Parkinson’s disease projects in Grand Rapids and beyond, both in the lab and the clinic.
In the coming years, we expect the number of projects supported by Centers to grow, multiplying the Institute’s impact in cancer and Parkinson’s — diseases that affect millions of people around the world.
Center Director: Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon)
The Cancer Center supports projects and clinical trials in several different types of cancer in partnership with organizations in the U.S. and abroad.
Center Director: Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D.
The goal of the Parkinson’s Disease Center is to support projects and clinical trials that investigate potential therapies to slow or stop Parkinson’s progression — a feat not possible with existing treatments.