Van Andel Institute
Van Andel Institute (VAI) is a research institution that primarily conducts cancer research, but also studies other diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. It was founded in 1996 by philanthropists Jay and Betty Van Andel. At the time "there was little scientific activity in Grand Rapids." The institute opened in 2000 and expanded in 2009. Initially, most of the research was funded by an endowment from Jay Van Andel, which has been estimated at $1 billion. Jay Van Andel suffered from Parkinson's disease; Betty suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Their son, Dave, is the current CEO.
The VAI facility was built in two phases. The $60 million first phase was 160,000 square feet (15,000 m2) and included 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) of laboratory space. It also featured the 325-seat Tomatis Auditorium and the Cook-Hauenstein Hall. It is located on Bostwick Avenue with the north end on Michigan Street.
On May 17, 2005, VAI announced plans to expand. The expansion was approved by the City of Grand Rapids in October 2006, and construction for the expansion began on April 12, 2007. The cost of the expansion was is $178 million, raised through donations and a bond. The second phase added an additional 242,000 square feet (22,500 m2), including 95,000 square feet (8,800 m2) of lab space. The new facility houses the Van Andel Education Institute's PhD-granting graduate school, which was founded in 2007. Michigan State University medical students also have research space in the facility. The building was designed by "world-renowned architect" Rafael Viñoly and will be LEED-certified. The second phase added a 100-seat cafeteria and 90-seat conference center.
The institute has 270 employees. Over the next several years, it is expected to grow to about 800 employees, most of them research scientists. VAI operates on an annual budget of $40 million, much of which comes from research grants and donations. Numerous local schools have donated money to fund medical research. The VAI endowment allows all donations to go directly to research.
Read more about this topic: Grand Rapids Medical Mile
Famous quotes containing the words van and/or institute:
“Some have said that the thesis [of indeterminacy] is a consequence of my behaviorism. Some have said that it is a reductio ad absurdum of my behaviorism. I disagree with this second point, but I agree with the first. I hold further that the behaviorism approach is mandatory. In psychology one may or may not be a behaviorist, but in linguistics one has no choice.”
—Willard Van Orman Quine (b. 1908)
“Whenever any form of government shall become destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, & to institute new government, laying it’s foundation on such principles & organising it’s powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety & happiness.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)